As of writing, the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID1-19) has infected more than 3,400 people; causing a total of 152 fatalities. There are thousands of people who are under monitoring (PUM) and investigation (PUI) and we’re still at the brink of the situation. On the brighter side, there are 64 people who recovered.
Because of these data, the Philippine government has been going to the lockdown extension option. Salvador Panelo, Presidential Spokesperson, says that with the consensus of all experts, government officials, business owners, and other leaders that a lockdown extension of two (2) more weeks would be necessary to properly respond to the virus.
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Lifting the quarantine could be “premature”
In addition to that, Panelo also said that this time might not just be the right time to lift the quarantine or the lockdown. According to them, we’re achieving good conditions in properly containing the virus; given the supplies and the technology we have.
Lifting it could be premature as it might wipe out the gains we have so far achieved in containing the virus.”
15 to 20 day extension
Amidst all the fuss of the lockdown, Vice President of the Philippines Leni Robredo expressed her support of extending the lockdown for about 15 to 20 more days. However, she urged the Philippine government to appropriately complete the cash aid distribution; this is so that families hit hard by the quarantine could be assisted and supported.
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I think it is crucial that people understand why [the extension] has to be done. If they don’t understand why it is necessary, there will be resistance. I think this resistance will be lessened if people understand why it needs to be done [and] if their basic needs are met.”
Turning to our dearest President Rodrigo Duterte, Panelo said that he is not, in any way, forgetting about the situation. That the President is all eyes and ears; he’s doing his best so that we can choose the best option and to tame the virus in our own way.
He is evaluating the best option to take that will effectively ensure the success of our war against this wily and faceless global enemy. He will make this decision in due time.”
So contrary to what most people believe in, our President is not disregarding the situation. He is, in fact, more closely looking at it.
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Social amelioration program needs to be done faster
With VP Robredo emphasizing on the thought of a lockdown extension, she said that the Local Government Units (LGUs) should be the one responsible of distributing the cash aid through the social amelioration program; she said that it should not be the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) so it could be given to households faster.
Anything that is too centralized will affect the speed. I think local governments should do the distribution, because they have the sense of what is happening on the ground.”
The backlogs of our incompetency
Many Filipinos are thinking that what’s happening is too much, however, it’s just the result of us not being prepared. Department of Health (DOH) Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the rising number of infections is due to the fact that their department had bigger and better capacities of testing.
It was because before, we had little-to-no means of detecting the virus from a person. Now, we have the technology, this may soon be spiking up more.
She adds that the slow recovery rate was because of the long process of helping patients who have been infected recover. Based on a consensus, that’s what the government should actually focus on. In addition to that, she explained the timeline of recovery.
Two (2) weeks was the period when patients recover from the symptoms, as per studies. Severe and crucial stages, however, it’ll take somewhere about three (3) to six (6) weeks. Basically, our inability to recognize this was one of the few reasons why our recovery rate is low.
That’s why many of our active cases have not been included yet in our list of recoveries.”
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With the lockdown extension, we can expect everyone, including those with mild symptoms to recover. This also can be an avenue for those who were attacked severely by the virus to be treated.
What do you think about the idea of extending the lockdown? Is this just right for us to take full control of the virus? Or could the lockdown extension just bring mayhem to our country?
Source: The Philippine Daily Inquirer
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