TOP OF THE WEEK: How much at risk are we in Cebu and the rest of the country?

March 6-14, 2020:

We don’t know really, no one knows precisely how much the disease has already struck the province and country.


Department of Health statistics don’t reflect the real situation because few tests, if at all, have been taken. Compared to many other countries, except notably the US, the record of testing in the Philippines is still so low as to give an accurate picture.

The same thing with the state of preparedness, despite assurances of health officials.

The declaration of President Duterte Friday, March 13, 2020, that “we have the money” to fight Covid-19 would’ve meant and mattered more if that money was spent in December or January for the health system.

The tests could tell government the extent of contamination and thus apply treatment, trace contacts, impose quarantine and the like. Without the tests, DOH relies on the few identified suspects and those treated in hospitals. The country is way below other countries in rank of infections and deaths but it may not be what’s actually happening. Meanwhile, given the information on progress in other countries, the disease

spreads as the number of victims rises: from small number to big ones in a matter of days or weeks.

[1] What government and people must fear most: An overload of cases that could crush the capacity of the health system: bed spaces in hospital, ventilators and other equipment and health workers who must care for Covid-19 patients, on top of the people struck by other illnesses. It could come to a point, as it was said of Italy, where doctors decided who would live and who would die.

The lack of tests also gives some complacency on the part of government, which needs to respond to the enormous requirement of health services and the need to help people in economic distress.

[2] Who are most vulnerable and face higher risk: (a) The older adults and those with preexisting diseases. Their immune system is not as strong as the youth’s. (b) The frontliners and responders, such as health workers. (c) Public transport employees and others in government and private sectors whose work cannot stop even as others stay away, mostly wage earners who must work to get their pay.

[3] How many will be struck by the disease? The initial estimate of 80 percent of the population being infected is scary although health experts say the figures will change dramatically once the health measures that should’ve been adopted much earlier would already be taken.

[4] Closing schools must be longterm, ideally for as long as the threat like Covid-19 persists. Other shutdowns, postponements and cancellations of sports, cultural and social events – even closing our borders -- have both pros and cons, especially the impact on local economy and individual earnings and our social fabric.

“Short to medium closures” didn’t have an impact on reducing the spread of the virus in past breakouts, but closings of eight to 20 weeks might have “some impact,” says the US Center for Disease Control & Prevention. The caution against closure of schools is that children would gather elsewhere and the disease would spread. In some countries, such as the US where thousands of children depend on school feedings and clean environment, the adverse effects could be devastating.

Other sectors such as the religious and cultural communities have announced modifications on their rituals and activities. Churches began Sunday, March 15, to shut their doors during masses and instead tell devotees to watch masses at home, taking the cue from TV and cable companies videotaping their shows in empty studios.

[5] Economic impact of the health crisis on cancelled sports and cultural events, local businesses, the communities where they are located and private and public employees. Government and private business still have to tackle a two-pronged problem: people’s physical health and their financial condition, especially the low-income groups.

[6] ‘Social distancing.’ Avoid large crowds, health experts advise, but how large is large? In New York City the number is 500. “Shun indoor activities where you have lots of people touching the same

surfaces. The larger the gathering, the higher the risk.”

[7] Can you still date? One health expert says if you believe with reasonable confidence that you’re both well. “I think we’re human and we need human interaction for our sanity,” he says. Another health expert says it depends how much you value the relationship to take the high risk. Could love survive six feet apart for days and days?

[8] The ‘inequality’ in coping with Covid-19: The rich can stay away from crowds, flee to “luxury boltholes” and insulate themselves with health safeguards. The wage earners cannot hide from employment that puts them at high risk: drivers, delivery riders, health workers, cleaners in low-paid jobs, often with families to feed. They cannot improve the dirty environment where they live and have limited or no resources for their and the family’s health.

[9] Stocking on essential goods reflects fear of the uncertain and the unknown. Which goods are essential? Oddly, there has been less rush for foodstuff than for alcohol, soap, disinfectants and toilet paper. Most people though don’t have the cash to stock up on anything. The “panic-buying” has been mostly by the rich and upper middle-class.

[10] In the absence of vaccine and specific drug for Covid-19, the most basic weapon is still personal hygiene. Wash your hands as often as when needed and vigorously, the way doctors and nurses scrub before a surgery. Soap and water, health experts say, is “more advisable” than alcohol or disinfectant.

Keep your hands off your, or another person’s, face, although logically if your hands are clean that may not matter.

And, again, keeping away from large crowds and working at home if your work and boss allow it.

[11] Be careful in choosing which information or advice to take. With the glut of materials all over, one needs to choose which is true and which is baloney. The twin obligation is not to circulate or “share” it unless you are fairly sure of its authenticity: check out the source, compare with similar information from reliable outlets. What falsehood and trash you spread can be as lethal as the virus that afflicts the world.

[12] The turmoil near us and in the rest of the world could send some of us perilously close to the edge, yet we must not lose our calm, our sanity and the faith in our leaders and in ourselves to see this through.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph