THE NEW coronavirus has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO), as the outbreak continues to spread outside China. The main reason for this declaration is not what is happening in China but what is happening in other countries, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The concern is that it could spread to countries with weaker health systems.
So here’s the question for us: Is the Philippine government ready for the long-haul threat?
The government must prepare to deal with what could become a month-long epidemic of the novel coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV. The ferocity of this virus became evident Thursday as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control recorded more than 7,800 cases of infection in January alone. Take note that it took six months for the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic, which lasted from November 2002 to July 2003, to reach 5,000 cases of infection, according to a Johns Hopkins University report. This new virus is spreading faster.
Our country’s limited capacity and reliance on foreign expertise to promptly detect the 2019-nCoV virus call for stronger measures than just advisories on face masks, hand-washing, and prayers.
One issue now is this: to ban or not to ban flights from China and other countries with 2019-nCoV cases.
Let’s be straightforward here. The right to travel is not absolute, it can be restricted in the interest of national security, public safety, and public health. (1987 Philippine Constitution) The China coronavirus falls under that category and therefore it is rightly so that this constitutional provision must be enforced. We understand the diplomatic predicament this virus situation presents to President Duterte, but he should decide in favor of the Filipino people. No ifs and no buts. The government could justifiably impose a travel ban to visitors from where the disease has started and already spread. As of Jan. 28 even Chinese authorities have suspended air and rail travel in the area around Wuhan City in China – epicenter of the outbreak – and have since expanded the travel ban to 16 surrounding cities with a combined population of more than 50 million people.
But there practical measures people could do, too. Hotels, tour operators, tourist buses, airlines, and POGOs should voluntarily go on high alert against the Wuhan coronavirus. They should proactively protect and monitor their guests, clients, and personnel. 24-hour sanitation and personal hygiene measures are in order. In-house nurses and first aiders should be on duty. Disease spread contact points like door handles, elevator buttons, railings, and restrooms should be sanitized.
Malls should sanitize their escalators and doors.
Price controls on soap, face masks, rubbing alcohol, bleach, and personal hygiene products should be imposed fast.
Full cooperation among all sectors and government regulators must prevail.
