THE body count in the US is rising as Covid-19 contaminates the most powerful nation in the world.
US President Donald Trump who boasted that his country will be back to normalcy on Easter Sunday has even turned to Russia for the supply of medical masks and medical equipment, as Russian President Vladimir Putin offered aid during a phone talk between the two leaders.
If the US, United Kingdom, Spain and Italy, all First World nations, are scrambling to eradicate the virus within their borders, developing nations and those belonging to the Third World should be in a panic mode by this time. We know that the latter nations may not have the health infrastructure as advanced as those of the former.
What has become the accepted measure is the lockout of a territory whereby stay-at-home and travel restrictions are decreed.
In New Zealand where I reside, this has been in place since March 26, still Covid-19 continues to spread, though the citizenry have generally followed the guidelines set out by the government.
A few days ago, I joined, via Zoom, the radio program, The Monitor, hosted by Rex Ricarte who is based in Las Vegas, together with other resource persons who reside overseas.
Al Cabusas, in Los Angeles, was alarmed by the increased number of confirmed infected, more than 8,077, with 163 deaths. Kenneth Gold, in San Francisco, dealt on those whose jobs are affected with the Employment Development Department giving assistance of $450 a week, with more than a million Californians applying. Sammy Abunda, in Bukidnon, revealed of zero-Covid infection as the province had effectively closed its borders. Tony Vergara, in Davao, said of the strict implementation of the lockdown in the city upon orders of Mayor Sarah Duterte.
We made mention of Cebu, as most of us were once based, with Bong sounding an appeal for donations to the Rafi Covid-19 Response, to provide protective gears for health workers, among others.
I told them about the death of the couple Dennis and Helen Tudtud, both physicians; and how health workers have been discriminated upon by some subdivisions.
I read of Dennis Thomas Tudtud, son of the couple, expressing his dismay through Facebook, “... Then came the police cordoning our entire compound. What for? We never breached the quarantine protocol! People treat us like some STATISTICS they see on Facebook or on the news. We are PEOPLE, too! It can happen to you and your family too.”
I can understand Dennis Thomas. You and your family deserve better. In trying times like these, the character of people is tested. We need to be humane, kind and helpful to others. We need to be respectful of the laws, otherwise, there will be chaos. We need to cooperate with our leaders, hoping that their initiatives will get us out of this mess.
If Donald Trump, the most powerful man in the world, has humbled himself in the face of the Covid-19 crisis; I guess, there is no reason for us not to be.