“It matters that we feel we are not alone in this fight.”
The 2007 film I Am Legend begins with the spread of a virus which was believed to be a cure for cancer. The virus, instead, turned humans into mutants. Dr. Robert Neville, the protagonist in the movie, was immune to the virus. Using his blood, he created a serum that eventually cured a woman mutant in the end. Although the ending was somewhat dismal with the demise of Dr. Neville, the remaining survivors were given hope with the cure he discovered.
Reel or real, a pandemic proves to be a great challenge to many health professionals and scientists. However, in the movies, even in the shabbiest places, protagonists or scientists were able to find a cure for the disease. Despite the seemingly slim chances of survival, protagonists in the movies almost always find help and ways to combat the disease.
I wonder: Why can’t we do the same in real life? Today, we have the most advanced technology. Scientists abroad have state-of-the-art equipment to study the virus and the pathology of the disease. Information is now more easily accessible. Pharmaceutical companies, likewise, have technologies to develop medicines and vaccines. Yet, the world still does not have a direct and easy cure to the disease, apart from the vaccines developed.
Once and for all, we need a cure against this COVID-19 virus. There must be an end to this pandemic. The world is exhausted. Our frontliners are worn out. Here in the country, it is already public knowledge that many of our medical workers and health professionals are drained — some are even resigning.
In Quezon province, the situation is no different. Our hospitals have been in full capacity for quite some time. This translates to constant need for medical supplies and adequate compensation for our health workers. However, we are still in a financial predicament that limits our capacity to provide the proper salaries.
During normal non-crisis periods, it is quite understandable that politics plays a major role in how local officials act and decide. I can understand when a Sanggunian holds the budget hostage to pressure a provincial or local government in normal, non-crisis periods. However, I cannot emphasize enough that we are in a pandemic—a crystal clear health crisis. Hence, there is no amount of reason that can justify the failure of the Sanggunian to respond to the needs of the times.
With this, I can only hope. Movies do provide relief and an escape from reality. However, post-apocalyptic films like I Am Legend make me envious of the fact that help is almost always just a stone’s throw away. I hope the national government extends its support to our scientists and medical professionals in finding a cure for this disease. Finally, I also hope that the Sanggunian heeds our call in the passage of the budget of the province. I truly hope we can feel that we are not alone in this fight.