The Covid-19 pandemic could be the Philippines’s worst health crisis with over 14,300 confirmed cases and 873 deaths as of May 25, 2020. With over 5.4 million confirmed global cases and 345,122 deaths, the Covid-19 pandemic could be considered next only to the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic that infected over 500 million people and killed 50 million worldwide.
And with no Covid-19 vaccine yet available maybe until next year, fear has already gripped the world, including the Philippines. For its mitigation strategies, the Philippine government, through the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases established its social distancing protocols such as not allowing group gatherings, closing stores, shutting down schools, factories and public transportation, self and community quarantining, among others, including the wearing of face mask and regular washing of hands.
But even with these mitigation measures already in place, the rising number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country is fanning more fear into an already scared nation. The cloud of uncertainty over who is going to get the virus next is aggravating the anxiety already building up in the minds of many Filipinos, after being confined to their homes for almost two months because of the enhanced community quarantine and modified enhanced community quarantine in the National Capital Region and parts of Luzon, and the general community quarantine in other parts of the country.
With nothing much to do in their homes but watch for news updates about the pandemic through the regular news and social-media networks, the varying opinions, observations and suggestions on how the pandemic should be handled, by some professionals (medical and nonmedical) that are being aired or posted publicly, could only exacerbate the misery of an already fearful nation. These reports and/or social- media postings could be technically or medically confusing to people who are already perturbed by the various reports about Covid-19, especially those who are or have relatives or friends already struggling to survive because the virus has stopped most economic activities in the country.
These unsolicited suggestions or observations may have been posted for noble reasons by supposedly professionally trained and experts in their respective fields. However, I am concerned of their possible impact on people, because some of them could add confusion to an already frightened nation. It will do more good than bad if they discuss their observations, suggestions and recommendations on the pandemic with the IATF, instead of selling them in the market of public opinion. The fight against Covid-19 is not a PR war. This is a real war for survival against an unseen enemy.
When the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act was signed by President Duterte, it signalled the call for all Filipinos to help in the fight against the deadly virus as one nation. Perhaps, those who have the knack to publicly post their observations, suggestions and recommendations on how the management of Covid-19 should be done, can take the Act for a cue.
And if only to help save an already jittery nation from confusion, hopelessness and depression, like an orchestra that has only the conductor to orchestrate a harmonious mix of melodic sounds, let us leave the baton to the President in the handling of the pandemic, so he can lead the IATF or his alter egos in the various executive departments in addressing their respective
Covid-19 concerns.
If anybody has an important suggestion or observation about the handling of Covid-19, don’t go to the media. Reach out to the conductor or at least go to his concerned alter ego in the government. We may end up losing the fight against Covid-19 if we ignore the wisdom in the idiom “too many cooks spoil the broth.”
Moreover, let us all be reminded about the message of the song “We heal as one,” because this is what the nation needs in our fight against Covid-19.
Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza is the chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries and Fight Illicit Trade; a broad-based, multisectoral movement intended to protect consumers, safeguard government revenues and shield legitimate industries from the ill effects of smuggling.
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