COVID-19 Pandemic: A War to Conquer!: Essay
COVID-19 Pandemic: A War to Conquer!
Essay
“… hindi ito bakasyon, giyera ito!” – Binay, 2020
Indubitably,
the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is the crisis of the moment which
instigated dreadful impacts on numerous facets of human lives. It is extensive
warfare where warriors are incapable to see the microscopic enemies with their
naked eyes. During these times of predicament when the virus divides linkages of
mankind, generates prevalent threats on health, creates fear among people,
trims down the global economy, raises other societal issues, and challenges the
country’s capacity to withstand this devastation, how should we respond?
As demarcated, COVID-19 is a communicable disease caused
by a recently discovered virus termed as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – Coronavirus
2 (SARS-CoV-2) (World Health Organization, WHO,
2020). Quite analogous to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002
and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2012, the present virus is presumed,
as of this writing [1], originated from a bat as its
reservoir. Subsequently, it mutated enough in such a way it can infect another
intermediate host, a pangolin, before infecting humans causing zoonotic respiratory
illness. The SARS-CoV-2 emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019 and
is thought to have leaped to humans at the seafood and wild-animal market,
where many of the first people to become infected worked (Cyranoski, 2020).
As WHO (2020) validated, the current virus spreads
predominantly through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an
infected person coughs or sneezes. Signs of infection primarily include fever,
headache, dry cough, and shortness of breathing with a maximum of 14 days
incubation period. Additionally, other laboratory cases also include fatigue,
muscle and joint pain, sore throat, vomiting, chills, and diarrhea as
indications. However, patients can also be asymptomatic, meaning they do not
display any symptoms despite having the virus in their systems. In more severe
cases, it can lead to pneumonia, multiple organ failure, and death.
The wide-reaching disease is causing several deleterious
effects not only on the local community but on a global stage. Foremost, COVID
– 19 imposes a threat to life. As of
this writing [2], Coronavirus has infected 532, 936 individuals, caused 24,
095 deaths and 124, 387 recoveries (worldometers.info, 2020). In the Philippines, the virus has caused 707
cases with 45 deaths and 28 recoveries.
It implicates a fatality rate of about 3.7 percent with R0 (reproductive ratio), the degree of
spread, of two to three persons per infected individual. Older people and those
with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular ailment, diabetes, chronic
respiratory disease, and cancer are more vulnerable.
In terms of the economical aspect, business operations
are sternly devastated. The stock market declines and voluminous business firms
close. All means of transportation are disrupted affecting trade, production,
and consumption. Furthermore, in the educational facet, classes, whether face – to – face or online, are suspended
making several educational institutions problematic in providing accessible
ways of learning. In health-related fields, testing kits, disinfectants,
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, and respirators, and
facilities are unfortunately lacking to combat the outbreak. Lastly, of these bearings,
the governmental dimension of the country seems to be in unsolicited chaos. In
my perspective, dissimilarities of political views and engagements have caused
indecisiveness of applying legal courses of action during these instances.
Even with interminable and frustrating criticisms of the
masses, the government has implemented safety measures in a bid to prevent the furtherance
of the illness. Principally, localities in the nation, especially in Luzon, are
in enhanced community quarantine or
lockdown. The former signifies that the movement of people is limited to
access basic services while the latter denotes that exit and entry of
individuals in an area are generally not allowed at the borders of the
quarantined community (Fajardo, 2020). In my view, this directive is an
effective way of isolation of the disease and averting locality contagion. As a
response, I, together with my family and the entire community follow the
decreed time of buying necessities with only one person with a quarantine pass. Aside
from that, curfew hours are strongly implemented and obeyed as violators are
constitutionally punished.
In addition, social
and physical distancing is suggested by the authority. The government
recommends avoiding public gatherings and maintaining a physical distance of at
least one meter (Gyem, 2020). When one coughs or sneezes, fluids will not go
for more than a meter. Henceforth, for my viewpoint, it is an indispensable
action to impede virus transmission. Moreover, media is a great platform in
raising awareness to the public. Practicing proper hygiene is emphasized. As
well, it is highly advised washing hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with
soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub and covering nose and mouth with a
disposable tissue or flexed elbow when coughing. As preventive measures, I’m
applying it to myself as well as my family.
Recently, Congress has approved Senate Bill No. 1413 entitled “We Heal as One Act” declaring the existence
of a national emergency and authorizing President Rodrigo R. Duterte to
exercise powers necessary to address the present situation (Magsino, 2020). In
line with this, the president has the authority to allocate cash, funds, and
investments held by any government-owned corporation and direct the operation
of any privately-owned hospitals and medical health facilities to house health
workers, serve as quarantine areas, and medical relief. Although some political
persons consider certain provisions to be unconstitutional, I personally
consider that during this crisis, what is important is to lessen, then totally
eradicate, the existing COVID-19. If the government has pure intent to serve
our countrymen providing reliefs, PPEs, and education towards battling the
virus, then I unquestionably support the bill. Nevertheless, the challenge here
is providing transparency which is promised by the congress to be fulfilled.
Conclusively, as biotechnology firms and government are
doing their part, we must practice our shares too. Besides all the glitches, Filipinos
must start at the personal level to efficaciously triumph this battle. Additionally,
more than anyone else, we are the one who is accountable for withstanding this
calamity. Hence, individuals must follow policies and guidelines, practice
proper hygiene, let oneself test if symptoms arise, always be informed, and
strengthen the faith. Furthermore, pray for everyone, especially the front-liners
who are real warriors amidst susceptibility to the disease. There is no space
for blame and politics. With our rational actions and relentless invocations,
we can flatten the curve and raise the line! After all, we will surmount this
war, as one.
To prevent COVID - 19, watch this!
[1] – the information is retrieved from various resources
last March 24, 2020. It may be subjected to change as health researchers
continue to seek further findings regarding the disease.
[2] –statistical data are retrieved from worldometers.info on
March 27, 2020. Data may be subjected to
further change.
References:
All photos are taken from google.com
Cyranoski, D. (2020). Did pangolins spread the China coronavirus to people? Retrieved from: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00364-2
Fajardo, F. (2020). Understanding community quarantine. Retrieved
from: https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/295018/understanding-community-quarantine
Gyem, P. (2020) Physical distancing,
not social distancing- WHO. Retrieved fom: http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=129997
Magsino, M. (2020). Senate bill filed allowing Duterte to
realign funds, direct ops of private hospitals for COVID-19 response.
Retrieved from: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/730868/senators-file-bill-authorizing-duterte-to-realign-funds-direct-ops-of-private-hospitals-for-covid-19-response/story/
World Health Organization,
WHO. (2020). Coronavirus. Retrieved
from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1
worldometers.info. (2020). COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic. Retrieved from: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
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