"We need to hear stories of triumph."
"We need to hear stories of triumph."
Assistant Secretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire of the Department of Health made a noteworthy statement stressing that a number of COVID-19 cases may not have been reported at all, including those who have been on self-quarantine.
The DOH official’s claim is as significant as the number of recovered COVID-19 patients, now nearly 200, tallied along with the rising numbers of those testing positive and those who died from the dreaded disease.
It is important and critical for the health authorities to establish and point out that a sizable percentage of the coronavirus cases actually result in patient recovery.
As more COVID-19 infections are confirmed with mass laboratory testing and as the death toll rises, the authorities must likewise elaborate how treatment and patient care by our heroic frontliners have helped patients recuperate.
And, since medical experts themselves say there is neither vaccine to prevent nor an antidote to cure COVID-19, they must elucidate on how the human body’s immune system has helped patients win the battle against the disease.
We need to hear these stories of triumph.
With the Enhanced Community Quarantine, which should have ended today but was extended for another two weeks, I’m confident the public shall extend the cooperation and support it has by and large shown the Duterte administration in its efforts to control the virus’ spread in the past month.
Indeed, the Filipino people could use words of encouragement and hope that there is a great chance of recovery from COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Task Force on coronavirus tasked the Office of Civil Defense and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to conduct contact-tracing in an intensified effort to seek out possible “suspects” for COVID-
19 infection, even disclosing those people’s identities.
I was not surprised when I heard a rabid critic of President Rodrigo Duterte who said the government is approaching this whole war on the global pandemic novel-coronavirus just like its bloody war on drugs—targeting poor people.
There is nothing farther from the truth. The Duterte leadership is doing what it has to do in a timely manner.
I trust that the DILG and the Philippine National Police can ensure the safety, as well as respect the legal rights of, suspected COVID-19 cases, especially in the wake of “witch-hunting” or instances of discrimination and harassment of both patients and health workers.
We are also hoping that, just as stricter public health measures are enforced, the social amelioration program speeds up to deliver the cash aid to the displaced poor people who need it most.
Still, we would be happy to hear a word about the government’s economic recovery plan following the lifting of the nationwide lockdown, as millions of Filipinos look to salvage their means of livelihood.
Needless to say, the government and the private sector must continue to work together more closely just the way they do now in the true spirit of bayanihan. This is so we could bring the country back on its feet.