JUST this week, Pampanga Governor Dennis "Delta" Pineda has called on Kapampangans to continue strictly observing protocols against the spread of the corona Virus Disease-2019 (Covid-19) amid the rising number of cases in the province.
His call, a serious reminder of the sort was prompted by the noted number of reported cases in different towns of Pampanga including Angeles City. It can be recalled that we have fewer cases for the past months since the national government has waged war against the virus, which has claimed lives in various parts of the world.
The governor is correct in saying that the threat does still exists and that we cannot see actually who is infected and who is not. Earlier, he suggested that we have to treat everyone as a carrier so we can properly and strictly observe the protocol against getting infected. There is no better way of battling the pandemic than avoiding anyone who can be a suspected carrier.
As the father of our province, Gov. Delta is calling everyone to continue to practice the use of face mask, the use of alcohol or soap and the observance of social distancing. Without any vaccine, these are our weapons against the Covid-19. He knows best since he is aware of the things we should and should not do while this global health threat still does exist.
As we recall it, the national government has imposed the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or total lockdown in the whole country. This was during the height of the onslaught of the virus. The national statistics on the number of infections have not improved but the economy, both national and local, is hurting.
If not for the growing number of hungry mouths, the government perhaps has maintained the status quo of the total lockdown. It was forced to lift it in most regions and provinces. The number of cases, though, has never gone down.
While in Pampanga the lockdown has been downgraded to the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), the effect of the loss of economic activities is still felt and many are still jobless. The easing of the lockdown, however, is now making blows on the number of those getting infected.
The governor's statement is a serious reiteration of his previous call to taking care of ourselves and our families against the virus and that no vaccine or cure is available yet. This means we should continue our vigilance.
While we are now under MGCQ, we should put to our minds and hearts that the virus is still extant and that we at any time and any place may get infected still.
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