No hugs and kisses: The struggle of mothers at the frontlines

Published May 9, 2020 12:32:58 AM

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 9) – For Mother’s Day, some moms may have enough time to be with their families amid the COVID-19 quarantine but there are others whose work beckons them to the frontlines.

Dr. Thania Salazar-Fajardo is a cardiologist at St. Luke’s Medical Center. Although she said days have been easier at the hospital, Fajardo recalled the struggle at the beginning of the pandemic when she was required to undergo self-quarantine which she had to explain to her three-year-old daughter.

“We were on quarantine so that was the time we explained to her that there would be less hugging , no kissing, nothing near her face and she would be asked to even wear her mask,” Fajardo told CNN Philippines Not Politics As Usual on Friday.

With her line of work, she said preventive measures like social distancing are also practiced at home.

“The process of disinfecting or decontaminating at home is really tedious and we even wear masks and practice social distancing,” Fajardo added. “She knows we can only kiss her on the foot, on her tummy, that’s about it.”

Fajardo’s daily routine consists of online meetings, seeing patients at the hospital and undergoing decontamination. Upon arriving home, she continues to talk to her patients online and read updates on COVID-19.

“[There is] less of the emotions now. You just really have to be more logical about this and then eventually COVID will pass and you get to go back to your norm,” she said.

PCol Portia Manalad, a police official and mother of three, faces a similar situation.

Manalad admitted that as the Philippine National Police chief of the Directorate for Logistics Division, being away from her family was no longer new to her after having been assigned to different places. She was recently sent to Cotabato City, far from her children residing in Metro Manila.

“For almost three months, I was not able to go home,” she shared to CNN Philippines.

But her wait would still have to stretch for another 14 days since she is required to undergo self-quarantine. However, she said she was glad that her kids — 21-year-old Tricia, 19-year-old Jonah and 16-year-old Third — understood the situation and supported her as she goes through isolation.

“They were the ones na nagsabi sa akin (who told me) I can go home and they prepared the house and a room for me…because they are much aware na pagkagaling ka sa malayo (when you’ve come from somewhere far) you have to self-quarantine and natuwa naman po ako kasi (I was glad because) at least they are aware and mayroon sila sinusunod na (they are following) protocols,” she said.

As for Nathalia Moran, a restaurant chef, she chose to be active during the pandemic. Moran volunteered to provide meals to other frontliners to become an example to her nine-year-old son, Rafa.

“I couldn’t just stay put. I wanted to help in anyway that I could,” she shared in an online interview. “I think at a pretty young age it’s good to instill these values because we can’t just think of ourselves all the time.”

Moran said her son helps her with cooking and preparing the meals.

“He helps out by counting the boxes, putting labels on the food packs and then sometimes he ties the boxes and helps bring them out,” she described.

Rafa also spoke to CNN Philippines during the interview.

Asked what he thought of his mother, Rafa answered “She is a hero to me.”

All three mothers received Mother’s Day messages from their loved ones.

SOURCE: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/5/9/struggle-of-mothers-frontlines.html