SO FAR, we have snatched the top spot in the number of active COVID-19 cases in ASEAN region (53,665 as of 08/18/2020). We have overtaken Indonesia at 40,460. Thankfully, our number of recoveries is also high – 112,861 as of 08/18/2020 while our number of deaths is relatively low – 2,687 which is the goal of the “hammer and the dance” strategy that I believe is what national government adopts.
Because of our ASEAN standing, I have heard a chorus of derogatory statements and ridicule directed against the country and our citizens which ironically also come from our very own countrymen!
While a larger sector of the population embraces the culture of safety which was pushed compellingly by government at the onset of the pandemic; still there is another segment that behaves lackadaisically, unmindful of the outcome of their irresponsible behavior. Go figure!
Well, for starters, Filipinos are fatalistic, aren’t we? Hence, this sector probably sings ‘que sera, sera’. After all, if other diseases did not hit them in the past, COVID-19 won’t either!
My past column (Hammer and dance strategy, 08/14/2020) stated, “With medical congestion, the mortality costs of the initial infection peak are much higher, but not fully internalized by individuals”. Indeed, there is still a segment in our society that refuses to cooperate and continues to defy the culture of safety that national government and governments around the world are pushing to protect their own peoples.
In the same column, it was also highlighted that government enforcement is needed for people to comply. Thus, the return to hard lockdowns in some areas when cases are observed to be increasing and burdening the healthcare sector. It is truly a difficult balancing act on the part of government.
I wonder how our sociologists are assessing the behavior of some of our fellow Filipinos who couldn’t care less about the impact of their misbehavior on others. In the past, these sociologists must have already completed their findings, however, given a new factor – the pandemic, I wonder how the findings have altered, if it did! Is it a dramatic change? Or zilch.
Interestingly, I researched on the respective populations of each ASEAN Member State (AMS). These are 2018 data: Indonesia – 267.7 million; Philippines – 106.7 million; Singapore – 5.639 million; Malaysia – 31.53 million; Thailand – 69.43 million; Vietnam – 95.54 million; Myanmar – 53.71 million; Cambodia – 16.25 million; Brunei – 428,962; and Lao PDR – 7.062 million.
In the score card, Indonesia is No. 2 in number of active cases vis-à-vis being the most populous AMS. The Philippines is second populous AMS with the highest number of active cases. Meanwhile, Vietnam is the third populous AMS but surprisingly, their active cases is only 448 (as of August 18, 2020).
Several questions are formed in my head. Is it the form of government? Is it the lack of foresight on the part of our government leaders? By now, we’re past denial stage. National leaders, particularly the head of state, did not take the threat of COVID-19 seriously at the start which led to lack of preparation. We had to rush the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” to enable government to prepare to combat the dreaded virus while the latter was already starting to cause costly deaths. Is our healthcare system that weak? Haven’t we learned from previous catastrophic events that could have given us precious insights on the how, why, when, and what to prepare should another disaster hit us?
Well, you could argue that nobody is prepared for a pandemic like COVID-19 but that’s not what I am talking about! I am talking about the number of active cases and the number of fatalities because other AMS have managed the disease in their respective countries. What’s the difference? Tough question, huh!
For now, as a law-abiding citizen, I will continue to push the culture of safety and pray for my country. That’s how I can best contribute.
***
Food for Thought
In a pandemic, you are presented with challenging choices and priorities, choose wisely.
***
For comments, you may reach the writer at belca.87@gmail.com. Author is on Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
