Editorial

Bracing virus threat

Two months have passed and issues revolving around corona virus disease, called as Covid-19, continues to hit the headlines as the World Health Organization assessed it to be globally pandemic and  its risk to be “very high.” This, as medical experts are rushing to come out with an antidote or vaccine to halt its world-wide spread and contamination following its outbreak  in China.

        Just last week, Health Secretary Francisco Duque faced the nation and made a rather frightening plea: “We discourage people from going to crowded places.” 

What and where are the crowded places? These could be the malls, public markets, offices, schools, churches, public transport terminals and utility vehicles such as buses, recreational centers, and even hospitals. Does this mean for us to be isolated and self-quarantined? Duque said “if it could be pleased,”… meaning as a precaution for we don’t  know what could happen next.

Simply placed, Covid-19 is now a public issue and our government is bracing for the possibility of local transmission even if the country is so far coronavirus-free. The barangay level has also been alerted and is given the responsibility to establish local quarantine facilities in case of eventualities. The barangay government must be ready to respond.

It is to be noted that the virus is now described a potential source of violence because it creates havoc, killing those severely contaminated and putting at bay the mobility of people, including economic activities such as those in tourism industry and infrastructure build-up. When local contamination strikes, mobility is halted and people could be held in confinement until vaccination is ready and available.

The WHO also noted that the toll on Covid-19 has surpassed the past cases of SARS and MERS, the cousins of coronavirus. The organization has called on the nations to apply the most appropriate frontals to contain the virus spread, saying the Philippines is doing well in its anti-virus drive and readiness. Our capability, however, has yet to be largely tested when local transmission makes the break.

Yes folks, readiness against this virus should be inclusive in our disaster preparedness and response program other than natural and man-made calamities. Let us continue to heed on health advisories and be obedient to the norms governing the upkeep of healthy living  and environmental sanitation as we, too, also brace on common ailments and seasonal diseases.

We pray to kill the virus and we pray for our safety and health.