ENHANCED community quarantine (ECQ) is designed to flatten the curve of the ghastly Covid-19. The horrible threat is real because we have the unseen enemies that lurk in our midst.
Covid-19 is still on the rise and to flatten the curve, 100 percent cooperation is expected from all Negrosanons. While our frontliners are risking their lives in the warfront, Negrosanons in the communities should follow the guidelines on enhanced community quarantine imposed by our government.
Medical experts believe that Covid-19 is more infectious and it is two or three times faster than the ordinary virus when it comes to transmission. The Department of Health has already sent testing kits in our region. A biology laboratory is set up in Iloilo to accommodate specimen from Negros.
With the recent development, our doctors now could be specific on the severity and lethality of the impact of Covid-19. Pharmaceuticals discovering the vaccine for this highly contagious virus are working overtime and expect that the cure could be out in mid 2021.
As a third-world country, the Philippines has a weaker health system that is why our government is appealing to its people to subject themselves to enhanced community quarantine to prevent rapid human to human transmission.
Enhanced community quarantine runs counter to the cultural traits of the Filipinos. We are interactionists and we cannot pass a day missing our friends, our social groups, our religious brothers, or our "kapehan" partners.
With ECQ, we have to change our cultural outlook. A large group should be avoided. The barangays have already issued a quarantine pass. Only one member in the family is allowed to go out to buy the basic home necessities. Grocery stores are limiting the buyers inside and those waiting outside the line are in proper physical distancing.
We are challenging our public market supervisors to make a proper choreography in the fish-meat-vegetable section. It takes time but buyers should also follow the carousel movement following the five-pace distance between the buyer and the seller. This may be awkward at the start but with proper implementation, this could be done.
The public market needs focus. Physical distancing is not observed even in the entrance. Many are still smoking and drinking. Spitting on the floor is a common practice. It is hard to give a higher rating to our public markets when it comes to public distancing.
If ECQ doesn't work effectively, we fear that our government through military solution will be obliged to impose what should be done at gun point. We don't like this scenario but this could be an option to fight effectively Covid-19.
Senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with pre-existing illnesses should stay at home. Our barangay health workers should go around to profile their status. They should be provided with medicine and barangay nurses should have regular visitation.
By this time, the task force handling the economic package assistance should be functional already. During the two-week ECQ, many residents in the hand-to-mouth status will comply with the government guidelines. We don't want them to go hungry because our task force neglected some of them.
While at home, we have to wash frequently our hands with soap and water or alcohol (70% solution). Avoid touching common surfaces with your hands. You can use your elbow or your hip. Be conscious by not touching your face with your hands. You have to protect your mouth, eyes and nose.
To pass the time, some of us will be in front of our computer or television. Do not entertain news that might lead to misinformation. Listen only to the persons in authority of the Dept. of Health or the World Health Organization.
With the availability of testing kits, we expect our PUIs and PUMs to increase. Don't panic because our frontliners are doing their best to fight the enemies. Stay calm but be alert. Let us join forces to flatten the curve.