Social Distancing and The Poorest of The Poor

COVID 19 has virtually become a worldwide plague that has stricken us and the spread of the virus has sent fears and anxiety to many people around the globe, from Asia to America and Europe .The Department of Health through Secretary Francisco Duque has not been remiss in assuring the public to avoid fear, but instead to always maintain cleanliness and adopt social distancing measures to prevent further transmission. As part of the safety measures implemented, all department stores in Naga City like the Robinson’s and SM department stores have made available to shoppers alcohol and sanitizers at their entrances. It is however, unfortunate that with all these measures being implemented, it is once again the poorest of the poor who will be most affected and unable to cope with the crisis already at hand at this time. The poor who need to survive everyday to bring food on their tables will be the ones most at risk of being exposed to the virus. In Naga City, we have also become more at risk, likewise, with the news that fifty-five people from Naga who went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Archbishop Rolando Tria-Terona are now Persons-Under-Monitoring (PUM). They have all been reportedly required to obseve self-quarantine.

Along the same vein, the findings by the City Health Office of Naga City that some of the hogs from Magarao, Bonbon and Calabanga infected with swine fever have found their way for selling at the Peoples Mall swine stalls has given rise to the order of closure for defogging purposes. As a consequence, consumers have avoided buying hog meat to the disdain of most hog dealers. This column wish to commend the city’s health authorities for their alert and fast action as an effort to preserve public health.

TRIVIA:

This writer and his spouse Minda had a chance to chat with Boy Claro and his lovely spouse Lian atter the Eucharistic celebration last Sunday at the Carmelite Monastery, where we attended our Sunday mass. He has informed me that former Naga City Jaycees have once again reunited, and have been regularly meeting for a fellowship once a month. The next scheduled meeting will be at the farm of Jaycee Aquiles Lo in Magarao. He said that presently there are about thirty (30) of them now and that this number is expected to increase. As past president of the Naga City Jaycees years back, and as a Jaycee Senator, I would certainly welcome the opportunity and be glad to join the company.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK

“IN THE GREAT ORCHESTRA WE CALL LIFE. YOU HAVE AN INSTRUMENT AND A SONG AND YOU OWE IT TO GOD TO PLAY THEM SUBLIMELY.” MAX LUCADO

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:23