Covid-19 may have upended life in countries where it unleashed its fury, but it failed to dampen the Christmas spirit in the Philippines, where the yuletide season is celebrated as early as September. While the country remains under quarantine, Filipinos will find a way to celebrate the season and express their love to family and friends through their gifts. Despite the quarantine restrictions aimed at stopping Covid-19 on its tracks, families will still gather around the dinner table and partake of the traditional holiday fare.
Unfortunately, the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the Philippines, based on the latest data released by the Department of Health. The Covid-19 cases added in the DOH’s daily tally have not gone done below 1,000 despite the restrictions imposed by the government. As of December 21, the Philippines has already logged 461,505 cases, of which 23,341 are active.
Hospitals around the country are dealing with these Covid-19 cases, on top of the other health issues of Filipinos—cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer. These Covid-19 cases have already exacted a heavy toll on public health since mid-March, when the government first implemented the lockdown to stop the spread of Covid-19. Because they are badly needed in Covid-19 wards, many of our health workers will not be able to spend the holidays with their loved ones this year.
We could help our health workers cope with their increasing workload by avoiding certain practices and by taking things in moderation, such as alcohol and cholesterol-laden food, which could cause heart diseases. We should heed the advice of the DOH to avoid large gatherings and to hold virtual parties instead (See “It’s going to be a virtual Christmas, says DOH,” in the BusinessMirror, November 25, 2020). Overcrowded areas should also be avoided to minimize possible exposure to the virus.
For those who want to cook their Noche Buena, meals should be carefully planned to avoid food waste, and to consider healthy options. Food that is thrown away will usually end up in landfills and produces methane, a greenhouse gas. We also urge restaurants to see to it that members of their kitchen staff are observing safe food handling practices to ensure the quality and safety of their food products.
It is customary for Filipinos to celebrate the holidays with firecrackers or fireworks, but these should be avoided this year. Fireworks and firecrackers, including kwitis, luces, fountain and the prohibited piccolo, injured more than 160 Filipinos who welcomed 2020 (See, “DOH reports sharp drop in fireworks injury as PNP declares zero deaths from stray bullets,” in the BusinessMirror, January 2, 2020). Aside from these injuries, fireworks could cause respiratory diseases and pollute the air.
While merrymaking during the holidays will somehow ease the anxiety brought about by the pandemic, letting our guards down will only bring more suffering and pain, particularly if our loved ones get sick. Throwing caution to the wind at this time will further burden our health-care system, which continues to grapple with rising Covid-19 cases. We do not have to “cancel” Christmas, but the sacrifices we make this year to stay healthy would ensure us of more holiday celebrations after the pandemic is over. Stay safe this Christmas.