Editorial: Red flag at checkpoints

Editorial Cartoon by Josua Cabrera
Editorial Cartoon by Josua Cabrera

CONSIDER this checkpoint scenario: a) Policeman inspects identification cards, passes, documents while another uses thermal scanner on person; b) Symptomatic or not, carrier has droplets splattered on those documents; c) Policeman goes on to inspect other documents; d) At the end of a possibly eight-hour shift, policeman removes gloves, uniform, etc., using bare hands; e) Next day, same routine; f) An infected, but asymptomatic policeman continues to man checkpoint, inspects documents, and so on and so forth.

Multiply this scenario to the number of personnel and checkpoints in cities and the entire Province. Chances are, the checkpoints themselves become perfect sites for transmission. It, at once, defeats the whole objective of cutting all possible chains of transmission.

While we understand that we are in a learning process mode, we must also be on a “fast-learner mode,” considering the race we are in.

Last March 15, the Philippine National Police called on unit commanders to provide safety equipment at quarantine checkpoints. Acting PNP Spokesperson Police Maj. Gen. Benigno Durana Jr. said the PNP has ordered unit heads to provide personal preventive equipment (PPEs) to policemen manning the checkpoints, but Durano only mentioned masks and thermal scanners.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the lack of PPEs for soldiers and policemen manning checkpoints is part of the global shortage of PPEs. But for a critical front line such as a checkpoint, it is purely unacceptable to avert one’s attention to the urgency and risk that our policemen and soldiers expose themselves to.

What we see in our checkpoints are men and women in full-battle gear, and that is excellent, only that they’re disastrously under-dressed for the occasion. While it has the menacing look of a Morningstar ball, the virus takes the furtive size of invisibility; not even your bulletproof vest or your cocked M16 can protect you from it.

How to properly arm checkpoint personnel? With PPE, constant disinfection and a fairly good knowledge on how to dispose contaminated protective gears—the same way a medical staff methodically removes gloves, masks and gowns post-surgery. Unit commanders must seek the help of doctors or nurses on how to go about the training.

Meantime, checkpoint personnel must revise motion protocols in the carrying out of their tasks. Do they need to touch documents? Maybe not. Or perhaps, yes, but with gloves with no perforations and are disinfected regularly. They must subject their uniforms and battle gear to intensive disinfection at the end of the day. That IS crucial, sirs.

We’re in for the long haul, and checkpoints are not exempted from the whole idea of erring on the side of caution.

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