Heal, heal, heal

By Netnet Camomot.

THERE’S this Facebook post that says, “I don’t like the fact that my chances of survival seem to be linked to the common sense of others.”

President Rody Duterte’s mantra should have been “Heal, Heal, Heal” instead of “Build, Build, Build.” But then, who knew? The coronavirus disease (Covid-19) didn’t exist in 2017 when the program was launched.

The Covid-19 confirmed cases in Pinas are increasing now that there are more testing kits available for the madlang pehpohl and not only for the privileged few.

Covid-19 doesn’t know who’s privileged or not, all it needs is an endless chain of human beings for its virus to keep on going and going, thus, the government’s constant reminder to practice social distancing, which the World Health Organization now prefers to call as physical distancing. “We’re changing to say ‘physical distance,’ and that’s on purpose because we want people to still remain connected,” said WHO epidemiologist Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove (source: washingtonpost.com).

Covid-19 has forced us to stay home, and that has resulted to empty streets, no traffic, and no pollution. Each day is like Good Friday.

Yes, the lockdown, er, community quarantine is so timely for Lent. This is how it should be from hereon—people staying home for 14 days, starting on the week right before Holy Week, to allow themselves and the Earth to heal. Only essential business establishments remain open as everything else hibernates. With no tax payments, no bank loan payments, no bill payments for all. Curfew from 9 pm to 5 am to force people to rest pa more. With the government providing basic needs for daily wage earners. That’s 14 days of a joint retreat for everyone from Aparri to Jolo. Yeah, wishful thinking for Cagayan de Oro (CDO) where people are still roaming around like as if Covid-19 doesn’t exist.

Mayor Oscar Moreno has consistently reminded the Cagayanon to “stay home, stay healthy.” He also said, “Angay mabalaka; ayaw kahadlok.” But the Cagayanon somehow refuses to listen to him and to barangay officials and the police. There’s this joke that the city should be renamed as Cagahi Ug Ulo City. Haha! Ambot ning CDO, er, CdeO oi, magpabadlong man gyud.

And then, there’s the Cagayanon who continues to believe in fake news.

If you’re the bearer of real news, please remain steadfast in spreading the truth and nothing but the truth.

Fake news can be as bad as Covid-19. Fake news is even more destructive now since Covid-19 is a new illness with no vaccine yet, that’s the perfect recipe to inspire the clueless to speculate pa more.

So-called cures have also gone viral: bananas, papaya, boiled eggs.

When you have colds or even flu, do you consider boiled eggs as a cure? Fruits, however, should be part of a healthy diet, with or without the Covid-19 threat.

The goal now is to stay home, and to listen to real news because reacting to fake news can cause unnecessary stress. Even if you have the money to hoard more groceries, medicines, vitamins, toilet paper, rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizers, and disinfectants, please don’t go out of the house to shop pa more because the main reason you hoarded supplies was so you could stay home. So, why are you not staying home? Hmmm. It could be because you continue to believe in fake news whose goal is to worsen your fear of the unknown.

For CDO, Moreno has been conducting daily press briefings at city hall for Covid-19 updates. Please refer to that for the real news on CDO.

I’m guessing “Contagion’s” producer, director, scriptwriter, actors and crew have learned a lot about viruses while filming the movie. But its chief scientific consultant, Dr. W. Ian Lipkin, the director of Columbia University’s Center for Infection and Immunity, also has Covid-19 (source: news.yahoo.com). Oh, well.

Philippine senators either have Covid-19, too, or are in home quarantine as persons under monitoring (PUM). Duterte is also quarantined as a PUM. While under quarantine, may their minds and hearts be enlightened on how to lessen Covid-19’s impact on the Pinoy, not only on his health but also on his post-Covid survival.

The world is changing as it adapts with the new normal. Stay home and keep the faith while singing, “I will survive / Oh, as long as I know how to love, I know I’ll stay alive / I’ve got all my life to live / And I’ve got all my love to give and I’ll survive / I will survive.”