The world figuratively stopped rotating after the coronavirus disease hit the globe in the first quarter of the year and shook the nation to its core.
As of writing, 5.59 million confirmed cases with 350,000 deaths have been recorded by the World Health Organization; while in the Philippines more than 15,000 cases with 900 fatalities have been reported.
Medical experts have been releasing journals and research papers regarding the truth behind the pandemic.
In a recent article published by MedicalNewsToday experts from the medical field have been pushing for mass testing as the quest for finding the right treatment would be slow and will take a long process before being available for use.
Mass testing would be beneficial for researchers to understand how the virus works and to track cases in a certain hot spot especially people showing no sign of the virus or people that are asymptomatic.
Dr. Michael Virata, an infectious disease specialist, explained how everyone is in a rush to say that we are just one drug away from getting back to normal, but in reality, robust research and clinical trials are needed to determine the right solution.
Another health expert, Dr. Matt Coward of the American College of Surgeons believed in the power of social distancing in preventing the spread of the virus.
Dr. Coward shared that social distancing is not about protecting one's own health; it is about protecting those who are more susceptible to the risk of COVID-19.
Experts are also worried about people underestimating coronavirus and taking it as a mere 'bad flu'.
Dr. Alana Biggers, an expert in internal medicine for adults and older adults at the University of Illinois Hospital, showed concern that the virus is a major respiratory infection that can cause detrimental health effects on people of all ages.
Lastly, as the country readied itself back to the normal grind, people should be able to adapt to the 'new normal' way of doing things.
People will be wearing a face mask for protection against COVID-19 while avoiding physical contact will be the trend in transportation.
The Philippines will be forced to deal with the changes as the social and economic landscape of the country and weigh-in on the best interest for its people.
For now, pharmaceutical giants from different parts of the world raced to find the possible vaccine to treat the pandemic, but the only thing close to curing COVID-19 is prevention.
Following the proper way for hygiene and observing social distancing is still the best way to stop the spread of the pandemic in the country.
As an old adage taught us, prevention is better than the cure.
