THE SERIOUSNESS OF COVID19 vs PUBLIC RESPONSE

As early as February 2020 I have been frequently hearing the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) or now known as the new Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) yet, I never bother to really check this concern to personally understand the extent and seriousness of this treacherous pandemic disease.

But since the danger has finally come down to the Philippine territory this March including the National Capital Region (NCR) which is the center of political, commercial, marketing, and social activities, hence, it prompted me to finally do some readings to fully understand this COVID19 that has put the nation in a state of a public health emergency.ully understand this COVID19 that has put the nation in a state of a public health emergency. 

It says that COVID19 comes from a large family of viruses that puts animals and human beings vulnerable to respiratory infections starting from the common cold to severe diseases like the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) up to this new COVID19. While there are continuous reports of suspected COVID19 cases, as well as suspected PUIs in some areas of the country including the rising number of countries afflicted with this disease, there are people who tend to ignore the appeal of the government and the medical community worldwide to protect.

Photo lited from Google through https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/15/20/philippines-covid-19-death-toll-now-at-12

On March 12, 2020, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in a public address aired over national television the national government’s decision to implement a community quarantine as a move to contain the deadly virus.

Community quarantine is different from the most feared “lockdown” which is being implemented in countries such as Wuhan in China and Italy where huge the number of its populace are afflicted by the coronavirus.

Here in the Philippines, the government has implemented the imposition of community quarantine to supposedly regulate the movement of the public to further avert the outbreak and/or infection of COVID19 to the people in the community especially those who have weak lungs or problems with the respiratory system.

While the government, media, and international medical organizations are making so much noise appealing to everyone to help contain the virus by refraining from going out, sadly, this big chunk of the NCR population continues to disregard the appeal. Much, these undistracted people are mostly belonging in the socioeconomic classes D and E.

Coronavirus is a serious threat to everyone, in fact, it can take away the life of anyone of us including our beloved family members without really identifying the cause or origin of our infection. Thus, I deemed it proper for the government to cascade its information campaign in depressed communities using their local and community parlance to better understand and appreciate the message.

The world is facing a very serious problem, yet the most vulnerable sector which comprises the majority of the Philippine populations remains to be uncooperative. It is on this note that the police, barangay and possibly the military should step in to compel these people to follow if they cannot show their cooperation. We must understand that as humans, we only have one life to live. Therefore, we need to be responsible for our life existence. And as human creatures, we are bounded by the norms in order for us to peacefully exist. This includes recognizing other people’s right to live, health, and peacefully coexist.

As of this writing, we now have 140 confirmed COVID19 cases with eight mortality. Thus, it is my prayer that the numbers will stop these current statistics, and those that were infected will eventually recover and heal. #

Manuel Jr.

 Manuel Jr

 

By this time, if our dear father Manuel Sr., was only alive, he would have been proud that his handsome namesake is celebrating his birthday on the same day that our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal was also born.

 

And I could not blame Tatay for you are in fact his better version from the hair, to face, and for what you have achieved in life. But of course, it doesn’t mean you are a better person than him. You are both good and appreciated by your own separate set of friends, and us as your family.

 

Growing up, we were like a nemesis. Days will pass by without you irritating me yet, you would always come home rushing and shouting my name for help because you are in trouble with your playmates. And you have also endeared yourself to the sports I used to love, volleyball. I played up to Palarong Maynila back in high school, but you, you went as far as Palarong Pambansa in your elementary years.

 

You treated my friends as your own, still, we were never closed. Until last December 29, 2018, when our youngest brood—without warning bid us all goodbye. He left us eternally. That phase of our life made me realized that I have to appreciate our family more. That I should be vocal expressing my affection towards you, Joseph and Nanay.

 

I have said this already, but I am repeating it again, I love you, Sammy. We may have been detached for a couple of years but we still have today to continuously connect and remain attached for as long as we can. While we still can open our eyes and greet tomorrow, hello.

 

Eddie

Eddieboy

As the world prepared and begin the counting to welcome 2019, my 67 years old mother, brother, sister-in-law and my nephew were at the San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel in Sta. Ana which served as our temporary shelter as the remains of my youngest brood temporary rest.

It was a mixture of emotion whether to accept that my brother, Eddieboy was finally gone for good and he will no longer suffer from the effects of stroke, or whether to feel sad that our most important gathering in the family was also the wake of our youngest.

Since I was born, New Year has always been the best celebration for our household this day is the birthday of our father, Manuel. Unfortunately, this 2019 was not the case.

Eddieboy has once again shown me that we can make a difference in our little way, just as he helped people I never knew despite being a tricycle driver.

Sorry may too late and unnecessary, still I ask for your forgiveness for the things I failed to do intentionally or unintentionally. But one thing is sure and certain, I love you and will always love you as my brother.