MY BEST friend informed me that her relative was brought to a government Covid-19 facility after she was made to undergo a seven-day home quarantine. The symptoms appeared to be alarming already so she was fetched by a government vehicle to have a "paid-for-vacation."
This could be the usual practice but my friend's family was not given proper briefing on what could have been done. Later, the husband was informed that he has to bring a mat or bed cover, a blanket and pillows. Those could have been provided right away if they were told earlier. It took time for the husband to look for a vehicle to deliver the needs of her wife.
What happened could be a learning experience for us. When someone's time comes, at least that someone knows what to do. I am not familiar with the quarantine facilities in our province. If we have to listen to the statement of presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr., we could be amazed but I do not know if people still believe him.
"We are enticing them (patients) with the fact that these (referring to quarantine facilities) are air-conditioned centers, free lodging, free meals at three times a day, and with free WiFi, and with a graduation ceremony to prove their clean bill of health, after the fourteen-day quarantine period." Probably Roque is referring to his models... PH Arena tent rooms, PICC cubicles, Ninoy Aquino Stadium or the facility at Calabarzon.
I believe that our local governments are doing their best to provide the patients with best quarantine facilities. We have yet to wait for the graduates to tell us of their unforgettable experiences inside the quarantine facility. Can someone be cordial enough to share his personal and vicarious experiences?
Out there are our brothers and sisters who could be asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic. The asymptomatic are those who are infected but never develop symptoms during the period of infection. The pre-symptomatic are the infected persons who have not yet developed symptoms but do go on to develop symptoms later.
For a positive individual who lives in a small house with many family members, the quarantine facility could be the best place. He should be brought to the quarantine facility. Upon arrival, his name and other related pieces of information will be recorded.
The patient is given a welcome kit that contains alcohol, vitamins, toiletries, snacks and assigned to a bed or cubicle. Each quarantine facility may differ from the other in several ways but the distances between patients should follow the standards set by the Department of Health.
Their stay in the quarantine sites are meant to isolate, recuperate, and rest. They have to be there for fourteen days. Their stay is free and comes with free meals provided by the local government unit. If their town or city mayor is having extra love and tender care, they will be sent fruits and get well soon cards.
We are made to understand that health workers monitor the patients in the facility daily and are on standby 24 hours a day in case there are patients who need to be brought to the hospital. In the facility, the patients are advised on how to deal with anxiety. They should know personal care and proper hygiene.
Quarantine facilities are expected to have spacious floor areas with hospital-like rooms or have clean and properly disinfected cubicles to eliminate pathogens. In our province, we want to hear more about our quarantine facilities. People from the media could be invited to observe how the patients are being assisted. Probably, some of our readers could share their personal and vicarious experiences in the quarantine facilities.
Negros Occidental is "Land of Sweet Surprises". The patients in the quarantine facilities expect real sweet surprises and they want to bring home sweet memories in their "paid-for- vacation". We don't want to hear their moans, groans, laments, ululations and frustrations. Those who survive the fourteen-day somnolence, do thank God. Congratulations on your graduation! Keep safe!