Deputized partners

By Atty. Edgardo Jose Uy

IMPLEMENTING health protocols in these times when our beloved city, much like what’s happening in every nation in the world, is practically devastated by the dreaded coronavirus does not only require immediate action when there reports of violations. It more importantly requires an out-of-the-box approach.

Of course, immediately responding to reports helps a lot but it makes law enforcement units work hard, not smart. Minors are rescued, businesses are warned, crowds of people dispersed, and what have you, and these eventually become part of a cycle, hence seemingly unending.

But working hard merely exhausts people, hopefully not to the point of reaching an “enforcement fatigue” stage. Well, one reason advanced by people who go out of their homes even if not permitted is “quarantine fatigue.” They ought to also realize that enforcement units are also composed of people who could very well claim enforcement fatigue.

It happens when enforcement units are left on their own to see to the implementation of health protocols despite help being readily available. Yes, help and cooperation are readily available.

Many groups can become “deputized partners” of enforcement units. The business operators for example.

Instead of being the subject or object of inspection and monitoring, they themselves could completely enforce health protocols within their respective areas of operation. If they want to.

Being in business, the operators are expected to know the protocols that are applicable in their turfs. All they have to do is enforce those protocols and we can be assured of a better and more livable quarantine level.

Another group is that of public transport operators and drivers. They can become deputized partners of enforcement units by refusing passengers who do not carry exit passes or who fail to wear their faces masks or shields. They don’t have to wait for police or traffic officers to do that for them.

I can cite many more and it would take a little sacrifice on the part of those who are willing to help.

Let’s not wait for complacency to result in Covid19 positive cases. We can prevent the coronavirus from spreading if we only become aware that we can do it, coupled with our willingness to do it. After all, we are supposed to be fighting the coronavirus, not the enforcement units of the government.

How about it, “Deputized Partners?”