SOME sociologists and medical scientists predicted two possible courses on how this pandemic could end based on the previous similar phenomena that had also disrupted lives and nations. On one hand, it is through widespread treatment via vaccination. On the other hand, through assimilation, that is when people learn how to live with the disease and make it a part of their daily lives.

The former requires patience from the people and, in order for this to take place, it must be married with a reassuring government with high public trust. While the latter transpires out of exasperation of the people from a sense of hopelessness — unlike the former, this is oftentimes, if not always, the case when a crisis is paired with a confused government due to inexperience, corruption or misplaced priorities.