"It is not just about the health and medical situation but the country’s station as a whole."
"It is not just about the health and medical situation but the country’s station as a whole."
Part 2
(Continued from Monday)
We are just talking of the medical implications thus far which, of course, should be our immediate concern. But our health officials should not overemphasize and keep on pounding on the theme of “ease of procurement of critical logistics to handle the COVID-19 disease” as if this were just a matter of having the “critical logistics” to handle the situation.
While it is true that having those readily on hand will ease our fears and somewhat calm the waters, what we should be hearing from them are the more basic things about this virus and its transmission.
They should make their submissions to the public comprehensive, simple and easily understandable leading to a real, honest to goodness mobilization of the entire citizenry. Not just limit it to their kind. Simple, basic information not just about washing one’s hands or using sanitizers or alcohol will go a long way in insulating us from the disease and limiting its transmission. Can we give out vitamins or supplements or even affordable food for the less fortunate? Can we advise people to eat vegetables or other staples to make them healthier? Can we in fact rush in to flood the markets with healthier and more affordable products to get the public through these times? These and other such preventive measures may, in fact, be more effective in dealing with this emergency than simply the ease of procurement of “critical medical supplies and logistics.”
Which brings us to our other point. In making this declaration, it is hoped that the administration will also put in place the concomitant measures to ease the impact of COVID-19 on the economy specially those sectors which to date have been identified as the most vulnerable ones like travel and tourism, manufacturing with its logistical and supply chain problems, infrastructure and agriculture (which includes the importation of critical ingredients such as rice, meat and milk products, vegetables, fish and the like).
The same goes through for measures on the social and educational side of things such as classes, sports and cultural events, international conferences and the like. These and other concerns need to be looked into as well as we proceed with the proper and responsible implementation of this Code Red injunction. As they always say, it takes an entire village not just a family or two to make things happen. Code Red is not just about the health and medical situation but the country’s station as a whole.