Canuto, Alona Mae B.

          In terms of its possible economic and social consequences, the COVID-19 is a crisis like
no other that the world has faced in recent decades. Households will be impacted in several
ways by the steps taken to curb COVID-19, including job losses, higher costs, rationing of food
and other essential goods, and disruption to health care services and education. While most
households will almost instantly feel the effects, they are likely to be deeper and longer-lasting
among the poor, who are more vulnerable. As global citizens, this is the time where all of us,
locally and internationally, can do what we can to help each other. We are asking ourselves, like
many, how we are best positioned to help. How are we helping to better equip the next
generation of physicians, academics, implementers, health workers and social scientists to
combat the next pandemic? Our goal is to save lives, eliminate diseases and strengthen health
equity, and we need to ensure that the lessons learned from this crisis enable us to do so in a
stronger position. Preventing the spread of COVID-19 disease requires that we, both in our
homes and in public spaces, regularly exercise proper health and hygiene protocols. Authorities
have also recommended that we should avoid large crowds, avoid using public transport, follow
"community quarantine" steps, and seek immediate medical treatment when exposure to the
disease occurs. The weight of the economic shocks brought by this pandemic is overwhelmingly
faced by poor people. In comparison to the larger and more developed corporations, many
informal and small-scale companies will take the hit. Some may have to stop operations or shut
down because the changes to the economy cannot be absorbed. It is difficult for those without
minimum wage, investments, unbanked or without access to financial services to stock up on
food and medication. Major additional fiscal resources would be needed for an efficient
response in support of poor and disadvantaged households. Decision-makers need information
on the effects and efficacy of policy responses in a timely and policy-relevant manner. Working
with vulnerable communities to improve communications regarding hygiene and health
promotion is important. Local governments, community organizations and the private sector
should join together to build a local network that can enable the poorest families to access
reliable and usable COVID-19 details, as well as provide free and immediate testing, quarantine
and medical assistance for suspected cases. In this time of COVID-19, clean water, proper
sanitation and hygienic conditions are critical for health and well-being. Let us make sure that
nobody is left behind.