HOW are we doing after a year of lockdown?
Due to the recent spike in COVID cases and the emergence of new strains as the pandemic lockdown enters its second year, authorities must prioritize not only frontliners but also informal economy workers among those who should get the vaccine.
We cannot afford a new economic plunge with the surge in COVID cases, whether old or new strain.
Aside from frontliners bring prioritized for vaccination, workers in the informal economy must be inoculated too such as sari-sari store employees, drivers, street vendors, farmers and fisherfolk. Yes, prioritize the backbone of our economy. Many of our countrymen have survived this pandemic because of their livelihood no matter how humble such as those in the informal sector.
And yes, we must reiterated the need for a clear, systematic, and massive testing, tracing, and isolation to complement the vaccine roll-out.
The surge in COVID cases is alarming; are we seeing one year of lockdown going to waste?
Truth to tell, ordinary people already know what to do (although some are really hard-headed): wash their hands, observe physical distancing, wear facemask/shield. But what those in power are implementing are still not systematic. What happened to the massive testing, tracing and isolation? These are the backbones of the fight against COVID-19 to stop the virus transmission, according to the World Health Organization. We have a vaccine rollout but we still need those.
People also know the drill – stay home unless very important; strictly follow the health protocols for yourself and your family. If there’s really a need to go out, limit the exposure and keep protected with strict implementation of health protocols.
The surge in COVID-19 shows this is not the time yet to let our guard down.
