by Sophia Orlanes
If you thought that things would get better, if not back to normal, by 2021, it’s time to burst that bubble. Almost a year ago, Filipinos lived in anxiety as the country reached its 10,000th COVID cases mark. Fast forward to March 29, 2021, the Philippines recorded one of its highest number of cases, with 10,016 COVID positive cases, just in one day. Much to everyone’s dismay, it was as if the year was on replay, only that things have gotten way worse now. The uncalled-for resemblance of events is when one should dread saying “Been there, done that.”
With the imposition of ECQ, exponential increase of cases, and lack of hospital beds and medical resources, the country has not been able to flatten the curve. With this current context, it’s inevitable for anyone to get tired from always abiding by the new normal and by getting used to the effects inflicted by the pandemic. Filipinos are no stranger to ningas kugon, a mentality in which one does a task with utmost effort only at the start and eventually gets tired of doing it. It is no different even when it comes to this whole pandemic situation.
However, the blame is not for Juan, who tries his best to make do with whatever means and resources are available to feed his family, to take. In fact, some of the senators themselves called out on the government for its COVID response. “No matter how long we impose curfews, or even considering enacting ordinances as an institutional response to abate the surge of COVID cases, lahat ‘yan ‘di magiging effective if we continue to display a relaxed atmosphere in the midst of a worsening public health crisis,” Senator Nancy Binay stated.
For Senator Risa Hontiveros, the government could have made an aggressive health-based approach instead of prioritizing trivial things such as “undeserving promotions, pats on the back, and premature celebrations.”
True enough, the current situation of the country could have changed if only the response was done differently. Vietnam, which has been commended since the onset of the pandemic for keeping their cases at minimum, has only recorded 2,591 cases ever since. In New Zealand, they successfully became COVID-free back in June 2020. Though the virus recurred in their country, they only recorded none to 31 cases on a daily basis from June up to now. As for the United States, they are successfully battling the virus with the vaccines. According to Bloomberg, almost 146 million doses have been given to Americans as of March 30, 2021.
With the rapid increase of documented cases, areas within NCR Plus were once again put into ECQ last March 29, 2021 in hopes of decreasing the cases, but OCTA Research Group thinks otherwise. They see that in order to “knock-out” the surge, there is a need to impose a month-long MECQ instead. “But the thing is may social and economic cost, kaya sina-suggest namin soft MECQ para ‘di masyadong malaki ang ayudang ilalabas ng gobyerno,” said Ranji Rye of OCTA Research.
As COVID cases continue to rise, everything keeps on going back to square one. Just like before, masks, alcohols, and social distancing remain as essentials. Despite the implementation of stricter quarantine protocols and the roll out of the immunization plan, one must still not be complacent and act as if everyone has the virus.
References:
https://www.rappler.com/nation/senators-hit-duterte-administration-ningas-kugon-approach-covid-19-pandemic
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/29/21/highest-ever-philippines-logs-10016-new-covid-19-cases
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/9-countries-including-new-zealand-are-now-covid-19-free-here-s-the-list/story-VANsJu5CZxRyXU2OyrDlmO.html
https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-vaccine-tracker-global-distribution/
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/3/24/OCTA-Research-4-week-MECQ-knock-out-surge.html
Photo sources:
https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/features/coronavirus-affected-countries-philippines-measures-impact-tourism-economy/
https://www.rappler.com/nation/coronavirus-cases-philippines-may-11-2020
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