We understand perfectly the need for draconian measures. The community quarantine ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte is a sign that he comprehends the severity of the situation. After all, the World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.
But as we enter the second day of this crucial 30-day lockdown, we emphasize that it is the more basic, commonsensical things that we need from our leaders as we deal with this threat.
First, a fact-based road map, communicated coherently. The people are already uncertain and afraid. We want our leaders to tell us clearly and credibly that they know exactly what they are going to do to deal with the crisis. Various government agencies and officials only do the people a great disservice by saying different things, or taking back or “clarifying” an earlier pronouncement.
Second, we need more information on the availability of test kits. We need to know where we can get ourselves tested if we have been exposed to a known patient or experience common symptoms of the disease. A spike in numbers might mean the virus is spreading aggressively, but it also means that more people are coming forward to get tested—hence, they can do something to get treated and avoid infecting others.
We commend the team from the University of the Philippines who have come up with its own testing kits. We need more of these initiatives since the government cannot provide everything that is needed.
Third, it would be good to hear some acknowledgment from the government of the heroic acts of our health care workers and other frontliners just by showing up to do their jobs. Some would say there is nothing special here because it’s their chosen profession and they are getting compensated anyway. But imagine the grave risk to themselves and their families. Imagine if they were not there.
We commend likewise all efforts of the private and development sectors to help these frontliners, from boxed meals sent to hospitals, to fund drives intended to provide complete sets of personal protective equipment to them.
Finally, we need more transparency about the circumstances surrounding all confirmed cases—where they went, whom they interacted with, where they stayed and ate and worked. Efficient contact tracing will help us accurately assess our own exposure and make us pro-active in our approach to the threat.
This COVID-19 menace is so big; the threat so profound. We would very much like to feel that we are not left to our own devices. We implore our leaders: Hear us, please, and get a sense of what we truly need.