ONLINE LEARNING AFTER COMMUNITY QUARANTINE: THE ROLE OF ART THERAPY

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a pandemic with the virus multiplying rapidly in the world. In the absence of any vaccine to date, specific measures to arrest or slow down contamination have been quarantines, physical distancing, and lockdowns – measures that severely restrict the movement of people. In the Philippines, these measures have led to the shutdown of campuses throughout the country. Schools have resorted to immediate migration to virtual classes or online learning so as not to disrupt the academic schedule. In the meantime, the populace, including students, have been mainly confined to their houses under pain of arrest if they break quarantine rules. Studies, however, show that prolonged quarantines can cause posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or symptoms on any sector of society, with students being among the most vulnerable, especially the younger ones. There is a need to address PTSD in a timely manner as they can affect the normal psychological functioning of an affected person. And an effective way to do this is through art therapy. This paper thus proposes that art therapy be incorporated into online learning modules to help students cope with their studies.