BE CAREFUL who you go out with on Valentine’s Day.
Beyond the normal qualifications of a good date comes a new criteria for dating, this time, from an unlikely source — the Department of Health (DOH).
The DOH says, before going on a date, you should know the person’s travel history to protect yourself from deadly viruses.
“Dili siya magpataka og partner karong Valentine’s Day. Dapat kaila man siya kay basig iyang partner nga makuha gikan sa China, basig ang iyang makuha kauban atong mga flights nga nag uban atong mga positive (coronavirus) cases nato (The person should be discriminate in choosing a partner this Valentine’s Day. Know your partner because you might end up with someone who just came from China or one who boarded the same flights as the positive cases we’ve had), ” said DOH 7 Director Jaime Bernadas.
Bernadas also advised people with flu-like symptoms and those who recently traveled to China, Macau, Hong Kong or Taiwan to avoid dating for now.
“Avoid if they have travels to China or contacts (with a history of travel to China),” Bernadas said.
“Kung duna kay symptoms of respiratory disease, avoid lang muna og mga dating kay matakdan nimo, maluoy sad ka (If you have symptoms of respiratory disease, avoid dating because you might contaminate the other. Have pity),” he added.
To prevent the spread of the dreaded novel coronavirus (Covid-19), DOH advised the public to practice frequent handwashing and proper cough etiquette, avoid close contact with people showing flu-like symptoms, ensure that food is well cooked and avoid contact with farm or wild animals.
Meanwhile, a random survey conducted by SunStar Cebu showed that public jitters regarding the suspected Covid-19 cases in the country failed to dampen couples’ resolve to celebrate a meaningful Valentine’s Day while taking precautionary measures against the Covid-19.
Carl James Cabarles, a government employee, said he and his girlfriend plan to watch a movie after celebrating at home with his family.
“Our plan is to go out for a while after work, maybe buy food or ice cream then go to our house to celebrate with the family and then watch a movie,” he said.
Rutchielle Fae Zaragoza, who works for a shipbuilding company, said her family opts to hold a simple celebration at home away from crowded malls and fast food restaurants.
“We will stay at home after duty. Besides, it’s safe and nice to be with family,” she said.
Kenneth Dwight Torres, a multimedia editor said, this year, he and his girlfriend plan to celebrate Valentine’s drinking with their peers in an “exclusive karaoke session.”
“Amid the Covid-19 threat, we already set some preemptive measures to combat the infectious disease like sticking to the basics, wearing a face mask and no to sharing drinking cups,” Torres said. (WBS)