"This is a temporary condition and it is not martial law."
Most of us do not like any of what’s happening in Metro Manila, arising from the imposition of the “community quarantine” or lockdown, now with major localities enforcing curfew hours to combat the spread of coronavirus or COVID-19.
The same action is being taken in cities and towns outside the National Capital Region (NCR). I hate it as much as anyone would.
Unfortunately, such measures are something we cannot help but impose in times of crisis, like this coronavirus pandemic which is gripping over 100 countries across the globe, claiming 3,600 deaths and infecting 105,600 people, and counting. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes it as the health risk of the highest level with the rate it is spreading globally.
Just as many showed complacency in the past weeks, now so many people are panicking and hoarding food and other supplies at home despite government assurance that there will be no shortages, particularly in food supplies.
What aggravate the situation are fake news items and black propaganda of President Duterte's political rivals and anti-government camps, including the rabid Yellow critics and left-leaning groups desperately exploiting the public health crisis to advance their political agendas.
They have resorted to massive, systematic misinformation through social media, as well as the mainstream media, first confusing community quarantine with “lockdown.” There is no lockdown since people can still go in and out of Metro Manila as long as the travel is job-related or involving personal or medical emergencies.
As soon as President Duterte disclosed the impending imposition of the community quarantine on the recommendation of the Department of Health and the inter-agency task force, these anti-government groups immediately described it as a step toward the imposition of martial law.
It is clear though that the metro-wide quarantine that began Sunday is all about prevention of the spread of the dreaded virus for which doctors and experts have not found an antidote or vaccine.
It is important to note, however, that it is a curable disease and that there has been an exceptionally high rate of recovery, especially when detected and treated in early stages. Community quarantine is imperative at this point before we end up like Italy where the whole country is now isolated from the rest of the world.
Authorities have pointed out that more deaths have been caused by dengue and tuberculosis, especially when undetected and untreated early. The past year saw the highest number of dengue cases globally and in the country with 300,000 cases and over 1,100 deaths, mostly children.
The last thing Filipinos need now is to bicker with and blame one another for the outcome of the community quarantine imposed on Monday, including the exodus of people to and from Metro Manila.
Many people’s livelihoods have been devastated, particularly our impoverished fellowmen. Who would ever want that happening?
But, as I’ve pointed out, we have to prevent the further person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 by limited the movement of people for a few days. This is a temporary condition and it is not martial law.
The travel restriction does not even have to last until April 14, 2020 as set by the administration, as the Inter-Agency Task Force meets each day and would promptly recommend to the President to cut short the quarantine period once the public health situation improves.
The community quarantine or lockdown is a temporary measure to save us from further aggravation.
So, please spare us from the aggravation of politicking and destabilization attempts! Style nyo bulok!