NOTHING else is ever written nor spoken more about today than…the COVID virus.
This virulent pestilence has hugged the news worldwide; its devastation and deaths caused recorded for posterity. Everyone is in dire fear and fret daily on the edge…praying for the miracle of a vaccine that will save mankind.
This has become an era of fear. There are no brave men who stand unafraid against the unseen enemy. Even the most notorious and rapacious holdupper, robber, thief…are hiding in isolation. And they follow the strict protocols of face masks and social distancing. Anyway, they have been wearing masks even before the COVID.
Everyone’s ears and eyes are glued to the radio and TV following up COVID updates. Mostly depressing, but there is startling news that Russia has developed a vaccine they called SPUTNIK. This will save countless lives and as a sign of Russian magnanimity, it will be distributed in the Philippines free.
But it seems no one is enthusiastic about the Russian life-saving claim. There are doubts because of lack of data on clinical tests and scientific papers for review and verification by qualified medical experts.
And the medical terminology coined for the Vaccine is SPUTNIK, which seems out of this world, reminiscent of a spacecraft orbiting around the Earth. Makes you dizzy without trying. Locally rhymes with the notoriety of ATIK…PUTIK…SKUANIK.
But Congress has filed a bill to provide clinical test for the vaccine. It shall first be injected to PhilHealth officials undergoing congressional inquiry and if they survive…the investigation will continue.
It is dismaying, we have been doing quite well until overseas workers returned; out of jobs and stranded Ilonggos avalanched from Manila; and there was a bit of relaxation of health protocols.
Earlier when infection statistics and death tolls stood still, everyone rejoiced and got together…which is exactly what the virus thrives on. It is crowds staying close together for a prolonged period of time that spread the infection.
And no one wants to be positive, this time. There is no known cure and I dread the awful lack of medical facilities and treatment. Too many positive COVID patients; extreme delay in the test results; difficulty in tracing contact persons; all of which entail money and numerous healthcare personnel…of which we are running short of.
We must face it. Our government cannot handle all of this alone. It has done more than its share and we must commend the efforts of our barangay and local officials in this burdensome hair-pulling dilemma.
The solution comes from the citizens themselves. Our government and media have not been remiss in constantly reminding everyone to wear face masks; keep distance; stay at home; sacrifice time and be extremely careful. Yet so many fools persist in disobedience. And infect the law-abiding innocent ones. This disregard of care and prudence is what keeps the virus alive and persisting.
Let us fight this battle together. IRIRIMAW TATON. This is Russian for fight. But first we must learn to take control of ourselves and religiously follow the required health and safety measures prescribed.
Our specie will survive. We are stronger than this virus that thrives only on recalcitrance. We are destined for greater things and this crisis is but an insignificant wayward rock on the road./PN
