Pandemic

It’s been 3 weeks or so since the mandatory enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was implemented to prevent covid-19 from further spreading and so far, I can say it has helped a lot otherwise the mortality rate in our country would’ve been doubled if not tripled considering the small population of our local health workers, not so well-equipped hospitals and not enough test kits to handle this pandemic. If this is a war against zombies, we would’ve lost the battle right off the bat. I don’t think any country per se is prepared for a battle against any pandemic especially if the virus spreads like wildfire. You never know when and how nor who has it until the death toll is alarming enough. In the case of covid-19, it stays in the air through droplets from those who have already contracted the virus by sneezing or coughing. It can also be spread by touching contaminated surfaces/things etcetera. 

The thing is, some carriers do not know they have it until they test positive since there are individuals who are ‘asymptomatic’ (showing no symptoms) and it could’ve been easier if the symptoms are obvious. I also read that, the asymptomatic ones are much more difficult to treat because when the body shows the symptoms as in the case of the symptomatic ones, it means that the human body is building antibodies to fight the infection according to experts aside from knowing what’s wrong with the patient makes it easier for our healthcare experts to gauge how severe it is. Thus explains why some of the ‘possible’ covid-19 carriers are released from heath facilities and will just be contacted back after their test result returned positive which is way more dangerous since there’s a bigger possibility for them to spread the virus from the time they were sent home until the test result is in and shows that the patient is positive for covid-19. In South Korea, it only takes within 24 hours for them to know whether the person is covid positive or not which means they will NOT let go of the person until the result is in which I am hoping will be the case here in the Philippines as well to better manage the situation. I'm also glad that more test kits will be available soon.

As of the moment, I think the biggest dilemma boils down to survival. How are we going to survive/ fend for our families/survive home confinement without an income? No work, no pay, no wage no funds to buy goods and avail pretty much anything. Business owners/companies are now compelled to waive rental fees and utility bills for the obvious reason but not all employers have the audacity to give their employees aid/assistance in times like these if they also ceased operating as a result of the lockdown. Everything moves in an economy obviously, may it be big corporations or small-medium business as both requires manpower and without one means loss of revenue. As for the aftermath, not enough money to keep the business going means no funds to pull employee wages from to simply put. Companies will also have no choice but to downsize which would gravely impact small workers while keeping the high ranking ones at bay. 

So, what’s my point? The government should be more vigilant in extensing assistance to the vast majority before starving individuals resort to violence for having no income to sustain their families as the saying goes ‘desperate measures call for desperate times.’ I am ecstatic for the quick response of some local government units, for being swift in food packs distribution and cash assistance. I understand most of them are doing the best that they can to address the crisis although I can’t help but feel disappointed with most of them because we’re already in the third week of the ECQ yet some districts, cities/towns have not received any aid from their local government units yet which makes me think, how come aspiring politicians during the previous elections were able to scour every district’s nook and cranny before yet is taking too long (almost a month) to provide assistance to their localities during these trying times when their help is needed the most? Where have all the local funds gone? 

On the other hand, I would like to salute and extend my deepest thanks and gratitude to all our Frontliners--doctors, nurses, scientists, maintenance people, cleaners, security guards, supermarket employees, police & military force, people from the food delivery service/industry, garbage collectors, volunteers, NGOs and the media people for braving the roads, streets and hospitals considering it is a dangerous battlefield out there and the enemies are unseen. 

Today is one of those times for everyone to keep an open mind and totally eradicate the hate and discrimination towards our healthcare workers and covid-19 patients. Remember, nobody wants to contract the virus nor purposely spread them NOT unless the person is already aware he/she is a possible Covid carrier PUI/PUM (people under investigation/monitoring) yet still wandered about posing harm to the rest of the people they come in contact with then that’s a totally different story not to mention those individuals who purposely lie to the doctors and nurses assisting them regarding their actual health condition and travel history. Please bear in mind, being truthful will help save tens, if not hundreds, thousands of lives. Covid-19 is a pandemic and it has already claimed over 88,000 lives all over the world. It pains me to watch the news and hear the stories of covid-19 survivors with family members who suffered the same yet lost the battle. Coronavirus is deadly and harrowing therefore shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you feel like you can’t be of any help, that’s not true because staying home will help tremendously in preventing the virus from further spreading and so as social distancing and maintaining proper hygiene.

I personally admit this whole situation is taking sometime for me to get used to. My anxiety level is heightened whenever I’m back home from the supermarket to stock up on essential goods/food supplies and I know I’m not alone as this pandemic has made almost everyone paranoid they may have contracted the virus whenever they feel soreness in their throats, runny nose, a cough etcetera. My simple trip to the supermarket before has now turned into a tedious process. I now need to leave whatever footwear I used outside, spritz Isopropyl alcohol to my entire clothes, wash my hands thoroughly if not take a bath a.s.a.p or wash the clothes I wore that day to avoid contaminating the house or be the carrier of the virus. I mean, that’s just really selfish to not be careful these days especially if you have immunocompromised family members, senior citizens, pregnant or children at home. I just find it very stressful if you have a stubborn family member at home who does not comply with these anti-covid measures. Say for instance my Dad, a senior citizen and a diabetic, who seems to be having a problem (heard of Cabin Syndrome?) with this whole home quarantine measures that’s being strictly implemented by the government. He constantly insists on going out and come up with all excuses just to be out of the house despite my siblings and I’s strong resolve to keep him safe at home. All senior citizens are susceptible to the virus what more someone who’s diabetic. Both my Dad and I have auto-immune conditions (Diabetes and myself, a Hypothyroid) therefore our immune systems would be highly compromised once exposed to the virus and I would never take the chance nor any of the family members.

If one becomes a PUI/PUM in our country nowadays you can either call the covid hotline for them to isolate the issue first, whether or not you will be considered a PUI/PUM.* If the person obviously exhibits covid symptoms, your local unit/Barangay/district will be contacted and an ambulance will be dispatched with health workers aboard, all geared in PPEs (the full body suit they use in hospitals) along with a military personnel (I learned) from a family friend who personally saw one of their neighbors was picked up by an ambulance from their abode. So, just imagine how alarming and scary it is but that’s the protocol. If you prefer to take a family member to a hospital because you thought he/she might have covid, you cannot go directly to the ER (emergency room) because you have to go through their 'triage' process first and there are tent set-up outside all hospitals nowadays based on what I have observed. If you really care about your family, then avoid going outside unless it's really necessary or it's an emergency because the word 'emergency' sounds different nowadays as everybody relates your emergency pretty much to covid. Don't jeopardize everyone in your household because as far as I know, the moment one family member is tested positive for covid then everyone in your household will be on 'home quarantine' for a couple of weeks and somebody else will have to run errands for the rest of your family and you wouldn't want that neither. 

Another thing is, let’s not ostracize anyone who’s covid-19 positive because like what I said, nobody wants to be one. I’ve been seeing a lot of these hostilities lately which makes me lose my faith in humanity sometimes. If this would go on then more and more people would rather conceal their real situation rather than seek help fearing they would be put in a difficult situation which may even endanger many lives. 

*PUI when he or she is exhibiting the coronavirus symptoms, has traveled in the past 14 days to areas with issued travel restriction, and has a history of exposure to COVID-19. PUM, on the other hand, is not showing any coronavirus symptoms but has a travel history to areas with issued travel restriction or a history of exposure to the novel virus. (Derived from GMAnews)