THE COVID pandemic has created a reign of fear and terror across the land. And death is its credentials.
It is not a respecter of place or country; color or race; intellectual or financial disparity. It infects all. No discrimination or favoritism.
At least, we can say that the virus is fair.
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But in the face of whatever crisis, the Pinoy is noted for his ingenuity, especially in the direction of making money – despite of, in spite of, and because of COVID.
The COVID pandemic and its deadly repercussions on the populace have bred an unlikely opportunity to make money…for the smart and fast, bad and ugly. In the government or private sector. Mostly in the government.
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There was a drunken melee between some squatter groups which resulted in the death of one and physical injuries to the other participants. All taken to the hospital.
The suspect who knew someone there whispered something. And the cadaver was wrapped in a burlap sack and immediately whisked to Abecia crematorium where a bonfire was lit.
When the police arrived to conduct its investigation, there was a Death Certificate that the deceased died of viral pneumonia caused by COVID and was cremated in accordance with IATF protocols.
Indeed, there are clear benefits traceable to COVID:
1. The police department can close their files that the deceased died of COVID.
2. The hospital, doctor, PhilHealth, DBM, and governmental agencies relevant to the release of the corresponding checks profit.
3. The deceased’s family that cannot afford anything are given free funeral and burial expenses.
4. There is no case filed against the assailant because there is no Medico-Legal Certificate and no corpus delicti, save for a kilo of ash buried in an undisclosed place.
So, everybody wins. It’s a win-win situation – except for the deceased.
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After a year of COVID and serious study of corruption in the wake of COVID, pundits have come to the unerring conclusion…that graft and cash are committed and shared by several persons. No one makes money from COVID alone.
The offenders, in the stairway of corruption, come from the top to the bottom rung…with one indispensable common denominator: there must be a corpse.
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Another squatter, dying of financial malnourishment, was admitted to the hospital. The doctor, in pity of the family’s plight, whispered: “Your father’s TB is terminal and he will be dead maybe in two days time. And it appears you do not have money for his hospital; funeral and burial expenses. I want to help you.”
So, the family accepted his offer.
And true to his medical expertise, the patient died two days later. And he did help the destitute and despondent family out of greed…I mean, the goodness of his heart…by issuing a Death Certificate that the patient died of COVID….28 days later.
The family, relieved of its financial burden, shed a few tears for the dearly departed and left the corpse in the hospital.
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While others are dying of COVID; some are enjoying lofty proceeds from its onslaught..But the virus is still around and we must learn to live with it. Consider…from the day we were born, we have supped with Death….not knowing if we wake up in the morn.
There’s a new more lethal and toxic variant, DELTA, and don’t get stressed by all that you read on FB or text messages in your C-pon; else you die of nervous tension and mental anguish.
Just be careful and continue to observe the health protocols. Listen to City Mayor Jerry. And continue to wear masks….unless your face looks like a Halloween mask, then, you are exempted./PN
