WHAT a dreadful pestilence has visited our land. A most virulent virus – unseen and deadly – with no known cure against its rampage.
It struck most parts of the world unprepared – only when the bodies kept piling up and the death toll rises undiminished – were rudimentary measures of prevention undertaken.
Facemasks, the so-called polite social distances between persons, quarantine and isolation….all contrary to human nature of hugs, kisses, holding hands, drinking, singing, and carousing together; gossiping for long hours…playing mah-jong and going to the cockpit to fondle your cock…All social and extra marital activities stop…for fear of viral infection.
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Every country in the world as well as ours reacted in their unique, individual ways. There is no question…many industries collapsed and suffered losses; many lost their jobs.
Others have opposed the quarantine and isolation measures and flagrantly violated it…for ignorance that going around heightens the risk of infection and in turn infecting others? Or just plain meanness and madness? Controlling and restraining the conduct and way of life of recalcitrant morons is indeed an undaunting challenge.
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Fortunately, we have a Chief Executive, Mayor Jerry Treñas, who has risen and responded admirably to combat the spread of the virus. Iloilo City, relatively speaking, has lower mortality rates compared to other chartered cities in the Philippines.
Had there been a different mayor sitting…I shudder to think of the dire consequences.
Iloilo City has its share of hard-headed blokes but the tireless daily urgings and admonitions of Mayor Treñas has ingrained discipline and compliance. All barangays have heeded the call for caution and strict observance of curfew and quarantine – an indicia of the love and respect of the populace.
In the viral confrontation where the enemy has all the weapons, there are many sad and tragic deaths of frontliners – doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, drivers, policemen and sundry…who are in direct physical contact with COVID-positive patients or symptomatic ones. They are our unsung heroes who, in time, when this crisis is over, will be remembered and duly honored for the sacrifice of their lives.
Mayor Treñas, too, belongs to high-risk individuals being a senior citizen. But despite it all, his devotion and dedication to the duty of his office drives him incessantly. His voice can be heard daily detailing what is being done for the safety of the citizens and keeping everyone abreast of local and national incidents.
He is also bombarded with non-COVID complaints and has to find solutions. It is a maddening world confronting the Chief Executive of this great and problematic city.
It is crisis that tests the will and human spirit. Our politicians, who shout their heads off during election time, professing love and die-hard concern for the common tao…are now silent and whereabouts unknown. It’s only words, and words are all they have…now, you know.
It does appear that there is only one visible person working in City Hall…Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Thus, by the powers I have vested in me…I hereby pass and singularly approve a Resolution of the Greatest Appreciation and Esteem to City Mayor Jerry Treñas for outstanding and exemplary public service, over and beyond the call of duty, in vigorously combating the spread of the deadly virus, COVID-19, which has significantly arrested its spread in the City of Iloilo, diminished the number of deaths and saved countless lives.
If you run for reelection, I will vote for you…three times. That is, if I’m still around.
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Let us face and fight this crisis together. Let it not dampen our will to live, lift your spirits, smile, sing, dance with the maid, and drink. Most of all, alcohol. It is a good disinfectant.
Like all gross catastrophes that have plagued mankind…it will pass. And we shall prevail. And your mother-in-law can open her mouth again.
Just be careful and wear your facemask. That way people won’t notice if you’re beautiful or ugly. (rxmuzones@gmail.com/PN)
