Legaspi: Who is gaining from this?

Legaspi: Who is gaining from this?

A YEAR ago, the world was unmindful of the novel coronavirus devastating the population in China. Months later, the World Health Organization (WHO) sounded the alarm that a pandemic is brewing in many parts of the world. Then, before the end of the first quarter of 2020, WHO announced that a pandemic has stricken the world. The NCoV was then named as Covid-19. At that time, everyone was afraid of the virus. It looked like everyone did not want to get out of their homes.

Governments, except for a few, sounded the alarm and secured their borders. Travel bans were imposed and strict health protocols were observed. People were afraid to go out of their homes and shut their doors from others. In the Philippines, the Duterte administration was quick in its response and immediately created a task force against the spread of the virus. The team was mostly composed of military strategists and a doctor. The virus was then codenamed as an invisible enemy on the battlefield.

The topic of creating a vaccine emerged immediately while governments are busy battling the deadly disease. Super-developed countries thought that the virus can immediately be eradicated. But the virus is a clever enemy and has continued to spread. Covid-19 claimed more lives and soon these mega worlds will have to kneel down and submit themselves to the reality that their citizens are dying.

The vaccine is the only solution. This seems to be a theme in a movie. Everyone was praying for the cure and the vaccine to be out sooner. The pandemic worsened because it took many lives and livelihoods. Many businesses went bankrupt because of the quarantine protocols.

The world stood still for months. Everyone did not know what was going to happen the next day, week or month. Fear and anxiety were overpowering people’s minds. Fear from losing their jobs, fear from losing their minds and worst, fear of the unknown. These created anxieties. The news that a vaccine has already been developed is such a relief. It is hope at the end of the dark tunnel of uncertainties.

As early as September, news broke out that a vaccine has already been discovered but was later found to be lacking in its experimental stages and could not be administered to humans. Again, the waiting game restarted.

This week, news broke out that a vaccine is already on the way and would be available in two weeks. The whole world is rejoicing with hope. Our prayers have been answered.

Amid all the celebrations, I can’t help but ask, who enjoys all these? Although the pandemic is true and real, my mind keeps telling me that the whole pandemic is a show by the capitalist at the expense of human lives. If one would look deeper into this whole drama one could see that there are things that are listed among our needs. Face masks, face shields, personal protective equipment, and swab testing kits and finally, now the vaccines were added to man’s existence. These additional expenses added to our daily consumption. Mass media would create fear in all of us that not using these “essentials” mean death or contamination.

So, with the advent of the drug that could possibly stop the spread of Covid-19, who is making all the money?

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