I HAVE a sister who works as a pharmacist in one of the provincial public hospitals in the region. During her rest day last weekend, she went home and informed us how badly they lack the needed medical accessories like surgical masks and other protective gear. This is precisely the situation that we see in our social media pages, and it is not just for the sake of my sister who continuously risks her health to serve the public but for the thousands of our medical personnel now acting as the frontliners in our battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.
While it is true that we want to protect ourselves and our families from catching the said virus by wearing masks when we go outside, imagine how much these people working in the hospitals badly need to wear them more than we do. We need to protect them so that they can fulfill their mandate of providing the necessary medical attention that people require in these times of crisis.
Aside from not hoarding facial masks, alcohol, and other disinfectants, we are also advised to stay at home to avoid possible contact with asymptomatic carriers. This is the very reason why the President ordered a community quarantine and other provinces with confirmed cases have also started to implement their localized provincials and municipal lockdowns. I know this may be difficult for some, but this is the best thing to do right now. We simply have too listen and trust that our officials have decided to implement these measures for the common good.
So how can we possibly convince our fellow Filipinos, given the fact that we are notoriously known for being hard-headed? I've compiled some of the very compelling posts I saw online hoping they can help us inform and persuade our fellow citizens:
Dr. Tony Leachon
Dear all,
If you are not doing anything important at the moment aside from your work (which I suggested to suspend too -- 2-4 weeks -- with closure of schools, malls, mass transport, mass gatherings, movie houses, religious services etc -- as part of community quarantine), please stay at home and be with your family to rest, reflect, and pray.
Here's an urgent message from the frontline, ER, triage area, private and government hospitals, clinics.
Please help us spread this message:
"STAYING INDOORS" can't be overemphasized. This simple measure will keep the virus from spreading. Trivial as it may sound, it will not only help you, your family, your loved ones, but also the thousands of frontline healthcare workers risking their lives in behalf of these people flooding the emergency room.
JUST LOOK AT OUR COVID POSITIVE PATIENTS SO FAR.
These are ordinary people.
These are not healthcare workers.
The virus is being spread by ORDINARY PEOPLE like you out there, most especially by those who find government and health advisories TRIVIAL.
WE CANNOT CONTAIN THIS PANDEMIC.
We are a 3rd world country. Italy is a G7 country (those belonging to the most advanced economies in the world, including in healthcare), but it's like Armageddon out there.
Help yourself. Help us, healthcare workers.
FOR WHEN THAT TIME COMES THAT YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONES WOULD SOON KNOCK AT OUR EMERGENCY ROOM DOORS, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HELP YOU ANYMORE, because we won't have enough medical personnel to see you soon because they are getting quarantined one by one.
PLEASE LISTEN. STAY INDOORS.
Thank you.
Tony Leachon MD
(Please share).
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UP-PGH Pediatric Cardiology
Current population of Filipinos: 109,140,855
Hospital beds: 89,000
ICU beds for critical cases: 1,000 only
This is why you should #stayhome please!
Let's flattened the curve, protect the weak and be strong by sticking to the plan!
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Mickaella Jorgia Bergantino
Dear Family and Friends in the Philippines,
Don't make the same mistakes like we did here in Italy.
Being in Lockdown means you have to STAY AT HOME and AVOID at all costs going out.
No school or work doesn't mean a holiday or you can go out with friends or meet other people.
It has been proposed by the government and health officials for a purpose!
We have been there. We didn't listen. We continued to go out and meet people even though we were told not to. We underestimated the situation. And look where we are right now. 10k plus of infected and we are Forced to stay at home.
Do not do the same mistakes like we did.
Stay at home while you are not being forced.
Do your job as a citizen.
Your role in obedience will lead a big impact to the Society.
It doesn't matter if your plans are or were cancelled.
Your life and health is more important than that.
Sending love and prayers to all of you!
This will end soon!
Stay strong!