“The Draconian approach taken by the Philippine government has given all of the negative effects and none of the possible positives”
TO SAY the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the world is an understatement.
The economic and social disruptions from the pandemic have been devastating, with tens of millions at risk of descending into extreme poverty.
Nearly half of the global workforce, around 3.3 billion people, face the threat of losing their livelihoods, especially those in the informal economy who lack social protections.
Lockdowns and income losses have exacerbated food insecurity, leaving many unable to provide for themselves and their families.
The pandemic disrupted global food systems, with border closures, trade restrictions, and confinement measures hindering market access for farmers and breaking supply chains.
Ensuring their safety, health, and better incomes for workers, in urban and rural areas, was essential for protecting lives and maintaining food security.
COVID-19 has led to significant disruptions in public life, including school closures, business shutdowns, and overwhelmed healthcare systems.
The virus has caused immense grief, with countless lives lost and dreams shattered, permeating communities worldwide.
The book “Social Structure Adaptation to COVID-19 Impact on Humanity” edited by Suresh Nanwani and William Loxley evaluates in depth the full expanse of the effects of the pandemic on humanity; and how it changed and transformed society as we know it.
Nanwani and Loxley give us a survey on how COVID-19 impacted the whole gamut of human experience, drawing insights from experts in various fields
The book utilizes a social framework to describe the key functions of societal adaptation to COVID-19, highlighting international contributors from 20 countries that provide case studies on themes including personal connectivity, societal equality, well-being, big data, and national resilience.
The volume disentangles the complex issues that impinge because of this overarching public health emergency.
As we have experienced, there was barely any social fiber left unscathed from the ill effects of the virus. COVID-19 has profoundly impacted societies globally, leading to adaptations across various dimensions.
Expert insights showcased in this book offer a deep understanding into the challenges encountered and underscore the necessity for resilience in facing such a crisis.
From workplace, livelihoods, public health conditions, education, transportation, legal landscape – all necessitated a comprehensive adaptation and readjustment that taxed the resources and resourcefulness of communities.
In the chapter I wrote for the book, titled “Change and continuity: COVID-19 and the Philippine legal system,” I point to how the nation’s vulnerable were made more so because of the ham-fisted lockdown approach of the Philippine government.
Social challenges and systemic issues were exacerbated and the government failed to keep up with the problem.
I also observed how education and healthcare were seriously affected by the pandemic.
Only in 2022 have children returned to face-to-face classes on a staggered schedule basis.
Rather than change to find some solution over the long years, the Philippines continued with its hardline approach long after other countries saw the potential damage it was doing.
What are the consequences for this generation that learned online through their formative years on pricey and unreliable internet connections?
How can we quantify the losses and damage to this generation of children?
Beyond the economic losses of projected productivity, how can we quantify the loss of community, of learning environments, of culture?
In sum, the Draconian approach taken by the Philippine government has given all of the negative effects and none of the possible positives.
Despite the lockdowns, the Philippines still got hit by wave after wave of cases.
Surges filled hospitals. Faced with harrowing triage decisions, doctors had to make choices based on bed availability.
Patients with other diseases like cancer had to defer treatment. and checkups as hospitals were simply overwhelmed.
Mass testing and vaccination were both deployed late.
Filipinos were essentially sat at home twiddling their thumbs, cowed by the cloud of a virus that could decimate their families and without a solid plan from the government.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization, was correct when he extolled us during the pandemic: “Be safe, be smart, be kind.”
The Philippines was not smart and kind, and so we were not safe.
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