During all this chaos of the pandemic, we all have realized that the world, especially the Philippines, is not ready for a biohazard this devastating. In our nation’s case, it is more difficult to contain the virus partly due to overpopulation and poverty.
Along with this, the Department of Health (DOH) stated last Monday that we should still practice physical distancing and avoid mass gatherings even after the enhanced community quarantines and lockdowns that are set upon during these harsh times.
“We would still maintain physical distancing everywhere we go. Pangalawa ho, titingnan pa rin natin yung ia-avoid pa rin natin yung mass gatherings.”
– Maria Rosario Vergeire, Health Undersecretary
Some argue that it is plausible to enact something like this because by the time the lockdown is lifted, it would have already been a norm after weeks of this practice.
However, some also argue that it is very hard to maintain due to the population. After all, this has been made possible due to employees either working from home or outright fired, as well as students being forced to stay indoors and learn. When everything is back to normal, it can be quite hard to practice this once again.
She then concludes that we should not stop what we are practicing right now because if we do, the virus might even come back.
“So kung dumating man tayo sa May 1 o May 2 na ‘yan na at ili-lift ang ECQ, makikita pa rin natin, we are not totally going to stop our measures because we know na may rebound ang sakit na ito kung totally tatanggalin mo ang mga measures na ito.”
– Vergeire
It is indeed quite a challenge for us right now as we are already the ASEAN country with the most number of cases with 5,453 confirmed cases as of Monday, April 15, along with 349 deaths and 353 recoveries.
