PANGILINAN, Roselle C.

BSEd E2A

Covid-19 has now found its solution

We've been struggling with this pandemic for over a year, with different degrees of
intervention placed across the world, and we're still seeing the largest number of Covid-
19 cases here in the Philippines. 
The overall number of infected people in the world had surpassed. Here in the
Philippines it reaches more than 641,000 as of March 2021, with regularly confirmed
new cases averaging over 5,000 this month. Although it is difficult to recognize that any
single death is a loss for everyone, the Philippines Covid-19 condition does have one
saving grace: the lesser rate of death. Despite of these challenges, the threat to minority
groups is so real that industries had to tread carefully as it comes to enforcing strict
protocols which are often updated at a dizzying pace as they continue to reboot.
Most Filipinos past time on social media is blaming the government and worried local
agencies. Instead of thinking on what they should do on their own to help stop the
spread of the epidemic, people prefer to look outward and criticize others. Despite
repeated public appeals from state and foreign government and health authorities,
some residents continue to disregard protocols when it comes to practicing minimum
health requirements.
Further than compliance, we must view the problems as a result of the country's health-
seeking actions and attitude; a mixture of many causes, not least of which is the
overwhelming desire of those affected by lockdowns to go out and work anything or
something, to raise money to feed families who have been reduced to begging in recent
months.
Additionally, as the world struggles for medicines to treat the sick and vaccinations to
end this pandemic, it's promising to see that certain groups have now risen above the
blame game and raised the Covid-19 debates to what each person might contribute.
This is particularly important at a time when many people are facing instability as a
result of the alarming loss of lives, employment, and financial crisis. Every Filipino will
contribute by supporting the spirit of bayanihan and demonstrating malasakit to each
person. These core principles were actually conveyed in a public service campaign by
Filipino group UNILAB, with the tagline "Malasakit ang kailangan upang Covid-19 ay
mapigilan." The easy but powerful campaign encourages everyone in our lives, from
family members to strangers to always follow the absolute minimum of health protocols,
and politely guide everyone who doesn't.
And a person in a public space should be instructed to put on a mask or face cover, or
at least wear it appropriately, and to exercise physical distancing with a smile that
conveys an earnest intention to defend the other—and not to impose. In a summary, the
message is straightforward: “I protect you, and you protect me.”
In this world, we either pass or fail, so we have no choice but to step as one. So we
can't only pin our hopes on the production of a vaccine that will offer immunity. Now is
the right time to allow the Filipino spirit to guide us through this crisis. “Pandemic ka
lang, Pilipino kami,” as one Facebook post put it.

Resources:
https://www.opportunityagenda.org/talking-coronavirus
https://ada.com/editorial/what-you-should-know-about-covid-19/
https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/public/journals/1/covid19/wpsar.2020.11.5.005Amit.pdf