Community Lockdown Reflections

The Covid-19 virus which hit our country including the Asia Pacific Region, Europe and the United States and other parts of the world has introduced us to a new dimension of vocabulary such as “enhanced community quarantine, “extreme community quarantine” and “total lockdown” (for the entire Southern Luzon). The quarantine and lockdown have kept our streets from motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic while police authorities established check-points in strategic areas to see to it that the quarantine and lockdown orders are observed. All persons were ordered to just stay home starting last March 17, lasting up to April 14, except for one representative from each family duly issued a Special Pass by the local government unit for emergency purposes. However, trucks carrying food and other agricultural products are allowed passage for delivery to wet markets. Print and broadcast media reports showed that the Congress of the Philippines has passed a resolution granting President Rodrigo R. Duterte blanket authority to use his presidential powers to effect the quarantine and lockdown orders. In the meantime, reports are that some congressional officials have already been tested positive with the Conict 19 virus, including Philippine Senator Miguel Zubiri and Senator Koko Pimentel. The latter has received the brickbats of netizens for alleged lack of discretion in going to the Makati Medical Center to check-in his pregnant wife, despite his previous knowledge that he is infected with the virus. On the brighter side, frontline workers like nurses, doctors and other medical personnels and other frontliners like policemen, security, and market guards, grocery store employees and garbage collectors have been receiving praises from the public for their service and sacrifices in maintaining the frontlines despite dangers to their own health. They are the unsung heroes who valiantly risk their lives, courageously leaving the comforts of their home and the company of their loved ones so that others may live. It is as if the whole world stood still as it grapples with the Convict 19 virus, and we have begun to appreciate people and things which we have taken for granted before.

In Naga City, Mayor Nelson Legacion has ordered the community lockdown of barangay Concepcion Pequeña on account of one patient who tested positive, supposedly an OFW from UAE who visited residents of said community upon arrival from Manila. He also ordered the disinfection of the area. This column commends the fast action of the city administration to prevent the spread of the virus, and for having ordered the lockdown even ahead of the National government.

TRIVIA:

Belated greetings to Sis Malyn Aman who celebrated her birthday anniversary yesterday, March 31. She is the Treasurer of the Enjoy Realty and Development Corporation and the Aman Engineering.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“IT IS NOT IN THE STARS TO HOLD OUR DESTINY BUT IN OURSELVES.”

-WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“ AS JESUS APPROACHED JERUSALEM AND SAW THE CITY, HE WEPT OVER IT.” LUKE 19:41