"Heroes of Today"

Heroes have fought for the lives of others and sacrificed their own. They fight and stand for what they believe in. They stood their grounds and defended others in the battlefield. But today, who can be called heroes?

Everyday, we face different battles seen and not: Our health, finances, fear of the future, and many more. In the midst of this crisis, there is this huge battle we face with fears and uncertainties in our hearts. A battle which the enemy we cannot see. The battle against CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19). In this battle, the battlefield is uncertain, the battle begins once we step out in the comforts of our own home. People we cannot fully trust even the closest, for they might carry and bring the enemy in our system. A battle which cannot be won by a gunshot but of mind, health, hygiene.

It is undeniable that our medical practitioners and all our front-liners are our heroes of today. But today, we will get to know 2 heroes who fought for their selves and their lives. Who fought in their journey to survival. Meet "Kara" and "Britney" (not their real names) who were COVID-19 survivors.

Britney ---

With her mother working overseas, she is left in the care of her father and with her siblings. An outgoing, optimistic woman whose fear is not in her vocabulary. But it all changed when one night, fever got into her system. Cough followed, then loss of taste and smell. She took the test and indeed, it went positive. She was then filled with fear and uncertainties not expecting it will happen to her. The hardest battle she fought in the battlefield, is her battle against herself. During isolation, overthinking and anxiety devoured her mental being. Family, work, friends - she misses her life outside. It was God and her family that helped her be determined to survive and win the fight. Her only prayers, to go home and be with her family again. Now, Britney is negative from the virus and celebrated her birthday intimately with her family.

Kara ---

Smiling, happy-go-lucky, and has positive outlook in life - this is Kara (not her real name). But despite having that positive outlook, she burst into tears upon knowing she got the virus. Her thoughts? What if she can't survive because of her severe symptoms? Only her relatives and closest friends knew about her situation. She fought hard in the battlefield for her own survival. Lungs getting weak because of pneumonia, and she feels like the oxygen machine is her only friend as she was having difficulty in breathing. It was her plans for her future, her dreams, her family, and God that made her continuously fight and believe she can make it to go out in the arena. Her mental health went better after surviving her life and death situation. Now, Kara is ready to fulfill her dreams equipped with experience, love from the people around her, and her faith in God.

Two heroes who fought their way to survival. Heroes who battled with their health, mental state, and their lives. Heroes who fought with the unseen and carried their faith in their journey to survival. Heroes who are now celebrating freedom from the chains of coronavirus disease 2019. Heroes have fought for the lives of others and sacrificed their own. They fight and stand for what they believe in. They stood their grounds and defended others in the battlefield. We are all together in this fight against COVID19. The virus killed millions of people around the globe, destroyed lives, pushed down the poor, and challenged the rich. We are all in this arena. We fight for ourselves, and for others. BE A HERO. Save lives by doing what is right. The virus has separated families and we have suffered enough. May you choose to do what is right and stand your ground. Protect yourself and others.