From Prince to Prime minister: The ‘politics’ of Covid-19 infection

NOT too long ago, the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) seemed just like a distant threat—something that could strike only health workers or those who had recently traveled, but not anyone we knew, as the threat of the disease had long spooked anyone we knew from traveling anyway.

But the novel coronavirus’ long and sure march from Wuhan City in China that began in January has thrown all assurances to the wind, as the statistics piling up have shown that just about anyone can contract the disease—ordinary mortals like tourists, but also celebrities, politicians, businessmen, and even young and strong athletes like NBA stars Rudy Gobert and Kevin Durant, and football players Daniele Rugani and Paulo Dybala.

The trappings of power have proved no defense against the virus.

Three senators of the Philippines have tested positive for the virus.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri revealed he tested positive on March 16, a day after Metro Manila began a 30-day lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus.

He had been exposed to a person at the Senate who turned out to have Covid-19.

On March 25, Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III announced he had also tested positive. He said he learned of the result the night before while in the hospital with his pregnant wife.

The lawmaker was roundly criticized for breaking his self-quarantine while awaiting his test results, and he now could face charges for exposing hospital staff to possible Covid-19 infection.

The next day, Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara revealed he also had the virus.

Mayors

In the House of Representatives, Bulacan Rep. Henry Villarica tested positive nearly three weeks after attending a March 8 event hosted by Baliuag Mayor Ferdie Estrella, who announced on March 17 that he had caught the virus.

But Estrella would not be the only mayor to test positive.

On March 20, Caba town Mayor Philip Caesar Crispino announced on Facebook that he and his wife, Caba Councilor Donna Crispino, had contracted the disease. They apologized for becoming the first two cases of Covid-19 in La Union.

Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. also tested positive on March 28. He had felt unwell following a trip to Spain.

Then Cabinet officials began testing positive too: Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año on March 31, followed by Education Secretary Leonor Briones on April 8.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Felimon Santos Jr. also contracted the virus but has since recovered.

Overseas, Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Bernardita Catalla, 62, succumbed to the virus on April 2, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced.

In the United States, lawmakers have been hit by the virus too, among them Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Rep. Ben McAdams of Utah, and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Miami.

Prime minister

World leaders have also not been immune to the virus’ advance.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, 55, revealed March 27, that he had tested positive. His Health Secretary Matt Hancock, 41, also caught the virus.

Johnson is the highest-profile political leader to have contracted the virus.

Johnson has been criticized by his opponents for his Conservative government’s initial reluctance to impose tough restrictions on movement and the economy to try to stem the spread of the virus.

Early this month, Johnson recounted shaking hands with medics treating coronavirus patients at a hospital and said, “I continue to shake hands.”

Johnson was admitted to a London hospital on April 5 after his symptoms worsened, and moved on April 6 to the intensive care unit, where he stayed for three days.

The British diagnoses are the latest evidence that no one—no matter how high-profile—is untouched by the global pandemic.

Politicians may be especially exposed, since they interact with large numbers of people.

Prince Charles, 71, the heir to the British throne, tested positive too, royal officials confirmed on March 25, touching off debate about whether his wealth and status gave him priority in receiving a test.

Charles attended a round table meeting on March 10 with Monaco’s Prince Albert II, who has since tested positive for Covid-19. The British royal is not believed to have shaken hands with Albert at the WaterAid Summit in London on that day.

Speaker

Elsewhere in the world, it was revealed on April 2 that Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani had been receiving treatment in quarantine. Larijani is the highest-ranking official among several senior government figures to catch the disease.

Iran, the epicenter of the virus in the Middle East, has been fighting one of the world’s worst outbreaks.

The Middle East had over 82,000 confirmed cases of the virus and over 3,600 deaths, most of them in Iran.

In Israel, the country was rattled by the diagnosis of its health minister, who has had frequent contact with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israeli Health Minister Yaakov Litzman and his wife, who also caught the virus, are members of Israel’s insular ultra-Orthodox community, which has been particularly hard-hit.

The infection of government leaders raises concern about who will lead and continue the campaign against the deadly virus, of which there is still no end in sight.

According to Johns Hopkins University, which reports higher figures than the World Health Organization because it includes “presumptive positive cases,” there are now more than 1.7 million confirmed Covid-19 cases in the world and more than 107,000 deaths. (SunStar Philippines, AP)

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