Pinoys’ Pandemic Comedy

COVID-19 cases in the Philippines has increased rapidly, as of this writing, there are more than 100,000. Front line workers like our medical personnel and health workers who’ve been on duty since the start of the outbreak appealed to have another 2 weeks of total lock down to control the escalating transmission. Would the government take heed or try other measures? Let’s take a review:

The Motorcycle Barrier Policy

Credits to the owner of this photo (Sunstar.com.ph)

Aside from putting the community on quarantine, the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) for COVID-19 has implemented a motorcycle barrier policy, see photo above. All police on-duty were oriented to strictly implement this and to even check the relationships of the riders. So, only the legal wife or the legal partner has the right as a back ride. This is a great idea. 🙂 However, there were oppositions on this policy considering that the riders already wear helmets, the barrier won’t serve its purpose anymore. Accordingly, there is a recommendation to the IATF for a wooden barrier policy to be put in the middle of the matrimonial bed for all couples in the Country. This is to further prevent the transmission of COVID-19 disease even at home. I heard this was not considered anyway.

Balik Probinsya Program

This program is geared towards addressing Metro Manila’s congested urban areas by encouraging people, especially informal settlers to return to their home provinces and assist them in this transition with support and incentives on transportation, family, livelihood, housing, subsistence and education, among others.

Before Pandemic (Top Photo) and After or During Pandemic (Bottom) Credits to the owner of the photo)

Before the pandemic, Pinoys always come to meet and greet their visiting relatives and friends from other places like Manila. However, because of the pandemic, as this Program has become the cause for local transmission, people avoid this courtesy now.

Gasoline as Disinfectant

Use of Gasoline as Disinfectant

Just barely few days ago, #gasoline has been trending on social media after President Duterte advised the use of it as disinfectant if there’s no alcohol, which made the people troop to the gasoline station. However, the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines released a statement contrary to this, hence the people are now confused. Soon after, the Presidential Spokesperson clarified and said, it was only a “joke” on the part of the President. So, the people must not believe it anyway.

Anywhere But Mars

Recently, the Philippines is reported at the lead for the NASA’s ‘Send Your Name to Mars’ Program. As of posting, the Philippines has submitted 1,158,247 entries, a little over fifty percent of the world total, 2,151,191. Below is the ranking:

NASA will still review the entries and once approved, the names will be etched onto a microchip and placed aboard the future mission spacecraft to Mars which is expected to fly mid-2020s. Please see this link for details, https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/science/749278/pinoys-dominate-submissions-for-nasa-s-send-your-name-to-mars-program/story/.

This is to clarify the concern of those who sent their names to NASA believing that they’ll join the mission to Mars. It isn’t yet the time :). So, let’s hope for the best, pray that our government listen to our dear front line workers, do our share by using face masks and adhere to the minimum health protocols. My salute to our health workers and those at the front line for saving thousands of lives already. Please stay safe.

The battle is getting tough, let’s not be on the losing side.