RECENT reports indicate the possibility of relaxing the rigorous quarantine arrangements that we have experienced for the past few weeks.
We have seen a welcome paper written by UPV-Miagao to Mayor Jerry Treñas. It is good to read a dispassionate document which avoids the political dimension.
The academic fraternity in the Philippines and, indeed, worldwide has been addressing the challenges involving the use of remedial medication and even the possibility of an efficacious vaccine.
I am aware that the mathematics and applied statistics have, in a purely academic context, addressed the issue of epidemics. Compared to the political aspects, however, we have not heard much from the mathematicians. This is disappointing. Many, but not all, politicians, particularly in the US, have supported what to me is an overly high risk strategy in which restrictions are relaxed substantially with a concomitant loss of life.
For example in the state of Georgia, its Governor supports the opening of, for example, tattoo parlors which clearly cannot be done without violating social distancing protocols. On the other hands, the Mayor of Atlanta, which is Georgia’s main city with a population of approximately six million, advocates a much more cautious approach.
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The mathematicians should speak out and give their estimates of total fatalities according to different levels of restrictions for the populace. If their estimates find that the level of total fatalities is very different according to the level of restriction enforced, then many of us would support the continued implementation of severe lockdowns. Irrespective of the hardships, lives would be saved.
I believe that many Americans are prepared to live in a high risk environment and may even have a macho ‘we can beat this thing’ when considering the possibility of COVID-19 infection. The case for the high risk options is that the economic consequences are, to some extent, mitigated.
We think of Americans as being rich. Many are. But also many have a much higher level of indebtedness than most Filipinos, and will experience relatively more economic hardship than much of the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) populace.
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Benjamin Diokno, governor of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), recommends a rapid expansion of the use of electronic payment media. We would agree, but with the proviso that glitches of all kinds do not occur.
It is regrettable that in the past we have to wait in line for the privilege of paying our utility bills. Social distancing is hard to implement if a large number of customers are waiting to pay their PLDT/Globe bills, for example. Diokno’s recommendation, therefore, is very welcome.
I believe BSP should be given the authority, and to use it, when evaluating problems that can arise with electronic payments which have not always been reliable.
One family member had a recent problem with GCash. The details are sketchy but the report I received that whilst last month’s payment with GCash was successful, this month’s failed allegedly due to unnecessarily snoopy questions from GCash. I hope there is nothing amiss.
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Amelioration is in full swing, but, if possible, promised payments should be paid more promptly.
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It is not clear to me that the incidence of COVID-19, in any country is ‘past its peak’ as claimed by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Social distancing works and any quarantine relaxation should preserve this as far as possible.
The economic impact of the virus is horrendous but I am convinced that nations should not return to a ‘new normal’ if this means that more people die.
Health is more important than Wealth!/PN
