Try Not to Put Everyone at Stake Challenge

2020 @/PH_Gov’t
By Mary Chris A. Tindoc

Too absurd—this is what came into my mind when I learned the news about the reopening of
tourist destinations in our country, particularly in Boracay, while we are in the state of struggle in coping
with the pandemic. For economic benefits? I beg to differ.

Based on Google Statistics, Philippines currently holds the following data: 347k total cases, 294k
recoveries, and 6,443 deaths of COVID-19 from September 30 up until October 13 this year. Metro Manila,
Calabarzon, and Central Visayas are the descending three regions that have the majority of these
numbers.

Moreover, I doubt that the recorded cases would not increase by the end of the year; just by
seeing how numerous ignorant citizens still disregard the safety measures, and how some ‘role model’
government officials become the basis of absolute rights of our fellow citizens to not follow the protocols.
Thus by saying, “Si Kapitan nga nagpa-party pa kaninang hapon tapos di naman nags-social distancing
ang mga pumunta doon, kaya bakit kami susunod?” (Earlier this afternoon, the Barangay Captain held a
party and those who were invited didn’t even follow the social distancing guidelines, so why are going to
follow as well?)

By this kind of mindset, how guaranteed it is for the citizens to not be contaminated by the virus
at the time of reopening the tourist destinations? When based on observations, not all are having the will
to abide the rules that are only meant for safety.

Take the public opening of the beautified Manila Bay as an example. By the time it was announced
that the Manila Bay is finally open for the public domain, more than hundreds of people were lining
themselves up just to witness it; forgetting the social-distancing practice we’ve been doing for so long.

Sure the idea of enhancing and cleaning the Manila Bay was pleasant but, there are lots of other
important things that must be done. Or they could’ve just hold the opening and do it on some other time
later and not at this moment when the virus cases haven’t been dropping.

Just to inform for the nth time, when someone gets infected from the virus it takes averagely 5-6
days for the symptoms to appear as they should and the maximum is up until 14 days—for about 2 weeks.
And so, they are subjected to perform home-quarantine for another two weeks to recover from the
symptoms of virus.

The initiative of our government to break-free from the stress we endured while in quarantine for
almost 7 months could be heartwarming, but it is more heartwarming if they encouraged us to just be
more patient and they would promise to do a better job in ensuring the country’s safety—and not be
diverted with the unimportant matters as of now and just focus only on handling the pandemic.

Although safety protocols are obliged to be observed upon the opening, the mass protection isn’t
promised. The confirmatory test offered in Boracay is pointless if someone, per se, was tested negative
within 48 hours and that person had been contaminated by several people who were also negative during
the testing but the symptoms had just been shown days after.

And all that would become the spark of numerous cases again in the latter days. I’d like to ask,
are we really winning the fight against COVID-19?

Overall, I firmly believe that it is not the solution to make our economy stable especially in the
middle of this pandemic situation. There are lots of other significant options like paying attention on the
farmers and the agricultural side of our country. It is more proven and the results are guaranteed if
actually being taken place.

Still disagreeing on the idea of opening the tourist spots for the simplest rhetorical questions
because: why should the health of our fellow citizens be compromised for this? Is the government really
going to prove that they are incompetent for them to not think of the safest and effective way on saving
the economy?

If not, well, I still hope that there's still rationality and compassion left in the minds of our own
leaders; without putting the lives of the citizens at stake—and that’s the challenge.

References:

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/9/19/manila-bay-white-beach-crowd.html

https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk013xtoVm17LIxxZjPwomTXADY0lMA%3A1602744
566773&ei=9vCHX6DYLoSGoATqu6QQ&q=covid+cases+in+the+philippines+today&oq=cov&gs_lcp=CgZ
wc3ktYWIQARgAMgQIIxAnMgsIABDJAxCRAhCLAzILCAAQsQMQkQIQiwMyBwgAEEMQiwMyBwgAEEMQi
wMyBwgAEEMQiwMyBwgAEEMQiwMyBwgAEEMQiwMyBwgAEEMQiwMyBAgAEEM6CAgAEMkDEJECOg
UIABCxAzoCCAA6CwguELEDEMcBEKMCOgoIABCxAxAUEIcCOgcIABAUEIcCUPO-
f1jIwn9gi9R_aABwAHgAgAHwBIgB1g2SAQM1LTOYAQCgAQGqAQdnd3Mtd2l6uAEDwAEB&sclient=psy-
ab