THE worst Covid-19 scenario is where entire populations are exposed, as in the Diamond Princess. These are the statistics:
3, 711 on board, 100%; 2, 999 not infected 81%; 712 infected, 19%; 704 recovered, 18%; 8 died, 1%.
Scary? Yes.
It is clear though that Covid-19 can run its full course unimpeded without being able to wipe out a country.
Not Covid-19 but locking down a country - putting most livelihood activities to a halt beyond two months – will destroy a country.
Government does not have the resources to hand out subsidies beyond two months.
In any case, these subsidies don’t reach the millions of Filipinos who are daily earners: taxi and pedicab drivers, daily wage laborers, peddlers, newsboys, contractual mall workers, and yes, even scavengers who can no longer go out to scavenge.
These subsidies don’t reach the small farmers, the sari-sari store owners, the small independent contractors.
When manufacturers and commerce and banking collapse, monthly employees will join the daily workers and the scavengers in not having money for the next meal.
Even the rich will go bankrupt. There will be civil unrest and chaos.
After two months we have to lift the lockdowns, resume livelihoods, and continue to fight Covid-19 with social distancing, masks, strict hygiene, and other non-suicidal cures. (By Atty. Manuel “Maning” Go)