NEARLY one billion people are now confined in their homes in 35 countries. And I bet you, too, who is reading this article.
There are more than 12,000 deaths since last December 2019 due to COVID-19. And there have been more than 32,485 infections in 165 countries and territories.
The entire Philippines is now under a state of calamity. There are 380 confirmed cases of the said disease in our country as of this writing. Of this number, 15 have recovered while 25 have died, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
A lot of people rely on social media to get information about the current situation. This information affects the individual’s approach on how to avoid and survive the fight against the virus.
Of course, we do not need the highest education just to understand what the medical practitioners are saying, but I guess I am not in the position to speak about the scientific facet of the current situation. However, let me share some legal information that has relation to COVID-19. These are queries which I received via e-mail and I would like to answer these through this column article.
First, one reader asked me the difference between community quarantine and lockdown. These two terms cannot be used interchangeably.
The former means individuals can freely go outside their homes and do their jobs. The public transportation and basic needs are all available. To avoid the spread of the virus or whatever communicable disease, the movement of people and other activities are confined only in one community. The latter means that everyone is directed to stay at home. Basic needs will be provided by the government and will be distributed from house to house.
Second, another reader asked me about the enhanced community quarantine imposed in Iloilo City – why is it called “enhanced”?
It is called “enhanced” because transportation will be suspended. Basic needs like food and health services shall be regulated. In this situation, uniformed personnel are present to implement and enforce quarantine system.
Under Executive Order (EO) 55 issued by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, all public and private offices, business and commercial establishments and stores shall be closed except those that provide basic needs. There is curfew time from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. People are allowed to be in the streets, highways, alleys, roads, establishments, malls, and or any other places outside the vicinity of their residence except for individuals working for medical services, security services, banks, fast-foods and restaurants, utilities, government skeletal force, national government offices, and other establishments or offices allowed by the local government.
Lastly, a reader asked me how a president weighs whether he is going to declare a state of calamity.
A state of calamity is a condition involving mass casualty and/or major damages to the environment, property, infrastructures, and disruptions of means of livelihood and business, and normal way of life of people in the affected areas as a result of the occurrence of a natural or human-induced hazard.
The president shall declare the country under a state of calamity when there is an extremely high incidence of a certain disease whether communicable or non-communicable within a community, in a specific period of time, specific health-related behavior, or other health-related events clearly beyond normal expectancy.
The present situation calls for this declaration. I hope people now understand what it means to stay at home, to be quarantined, and on how serious our situation is.
There is no room for us to blame, compare, and criticize each other. We need more time and effort to fight an enemy which cannot be seen by our naked eyes.
As what Mayor Treñas said in one of his social media posts: “This crisis is a test to show the world that we, Ilonggos, are united.”
Indeed. But then, there is more to that. This situation is a test of how strong our faith is – to humanity and most of all, to God. Let us be the source of hopefulness no matter how hard life gets.
Before ending this column, let me express my appreciation to all fronliners. I know how it feels to be in the midst of a battle, how much more you who fight not only for yourselves but for the public. Thank you!
To everyone, stay home. Let us pray for the best! (ayindream.aplasca@gmail.com/PN)
