PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is in great quandary these days. He has to come up with a decision whether to lift the extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or not. The ECQ is set to end by April 30, 2020.
We can see on the face of the chief executive the difficulty in finding the balance on the decision he has to make. The fate of the country on how we address the threat on the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is over his shoulders. It’s a war where the enemy cannot be seen and he has to decide how would we fight.
While many speculate an extension of the ECQ, Duterte has to likewise consider the situation of those whose work and business activities were stalled as a result of the lockdown.
Looking back, the ECQ was implemented last March 16, 2020 and was set to be lifted after two weeks or until April 12, 2020. However, with the number of cases still rising by that time, the ECQ was extended until the end of this month. As per latest data, we still fail in flattening the curve as many Covid-19 cases are still being reported.
The ECQ has suspended public transport by air, land and water. It has closed almost all business and commercial establishments except for grocery stores, drugstores, telecommunications, water and electricity firms. It has locked down schools which suspended the official end of the school year.
In addition, checkpoints were established to discourage the public in going out of their respective homes and to check and monitor people whether their travel is an essential or an emergency task. Social distancing or staying at least one meter away from other people was also affected, in a bid to stop the spread of the virus.
Meanwhile, as a result of the ECQ, a number of people were stranded in their workplaces, at residences of relatives or in other places because of the stoppage of operations of mass transportation including tricycles and pedicabs. Millions and millions of Filipinos are now staying in homes.
The ECQ has paralyzed most economic and social activities. The Covid-19 has put the world to a halt. Commercial, industrial and business establishments are hurting due to the lack of production, manufacturing, delivery, distribution and retail of goods. Services except for medical and other essentials were put to a stop.
There is no doubt that the effect of Covid-19 is very damaging not to mention the lives lost all over the world. Mankind is suffering and we have no idea yet when it will end. There is no vaccine nor cure yet to the virus. Medically wise, we are only relying on the strength of our immune system to live.
With the scenario, the President would have to weigh things and take the risks his executive decision would have to entail. He may slow down the spread of the virus but many will die from hunger. He may allow people to resume their livelihood activities but this may increase the rate of infection to people.
As per information, the President would be announcing the government’s decision for the lockdown this week, this after he had a serious consultation with medical experts including former health secretaries on what to do. Let’s wait and see.
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