Did you know that our national hero Jose Rizal also went through a quarantine?

When Rizal decided to return to Europe for the second time, he left for Hong Kong on February 3, 1888. After a few weeks in Japan, he boarded the SS Belgic going to the US. When the SS Belgic arrived in San Francisco two weeks later, Rizal was surprised that they were not allowed to land. He spent six days in quarantine.

Rizal's experiences mirror what we are going through right now in this Enhanced Community Quarantine during the COVID-19 health crisis.

First, he wrote about getting bored and irritated aboard the SS Belgic on his second day of quarantine. In Rizal's own words, “Second day of the quarantine. We are greatly troubled and bored aboard. I have not eaten; it gets on my nerves.”

To those of us who are stuck at home, we know how our national hero feels. We fall through a daily pattern of eating, sleeping, and checking out our social media accounts. It's natural for us to feel bored, especially with the uncertainty of the situation these days.

Finding a new series to watch or getting a new hobby can help us get pleasantly distracted.

There are also ways to help our frontliners and other people in need without having to leave our homes. Finding a good cause and donating any amount can go a long way.

Second, Rizal sees the political undertones of the quarantine situation. He stated that America is against Chinese immigration, and since it was election period back in 1888, the authorities are using this quarantine to get the people's votes, by appearing to be strict with the Chinese passengers in SS Belgic.

Nowadays, we see the efforts of the different Local Government Units and how they deal with the COVID-19 situation. We also shout injustice at those who fail to do their jobs as leaders. This is made easier now, thanks to social media, and the people decrying injustice can help pave the way for a solution.

Lastly, Rizal speaks up about the discrimination of Chinese and other Asian passengers during the SS Belgic quarantine. The discrimination stems from the ship's previous venue, Hong Kong, where there was reportedly a smallpox outbreak.

Today, the COVID-19 situation also opens up instances where Asians are discriminated against races abroad, even here in the Philippines. Knowing that the virus originated from Wuhan, China, there are instances that Asians are shooed away, or even worse, physically assaulted, because of their identity.

Truly, there is a parallel with Rizal's situation and what's happening lately. Prejudice and misinformation will never help us find solutions. We are all in the same boat. And as part of the world's big family, we should do our best to help out and treat each other with more patience, compassion, and understanding.

Sources:

Rizal’s experience with quarantine, 1888. (2020, February 6). Retrieved April 6, 2020, from https://opinion.inquirer.net/127176/rizals-experience-with-quarantine-1888#ixzz6IXR3mP2l

Gonzalez, J. J. (2009, February 1). Filipino American Faith in Action: Immigration, Religion, and Civic Engagement. Retrieved April 6, 2020, from https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=vxdJXdqPuuEC&pg=PA21&lpg=PA21&dq=SS Belgic quarantine 1888&source=bl&ots=VJ3KfxILKG&sig=ACfU3U2RlZouaOI3eUw9liaST1p86KQybA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjaj9C35dLoAhVqHKYKHX73DKUQ6AEwBnoECAsQLg#v=onepage&q=SS Belgic quarantine 1888&f=false

Rizal in the U.S Rizal in SS Belgic . (2018, April 26). Retrieved April 6, 2020, from https://nanopdf.com/download/rizal-in-the-us-rizal-in-ss-belgic-he-met-the-jacxksons-while-he_pdf