After you

Like wild horses as the saying goes, many folks from Metro Manila could not help themselves from rushing out of their homes and grabbing the chance to be outdoors after 60 days under a continuing quarantine. That in itself sounds like an oxymoron and it goes to show how bizarre Modified Community Quarantine really is. If the point of community quarantine is to contain and isolate, the IATF’s latest pronouncement has become a self-canceling solution against Covid-19. I’ve tried to point that out several times on print and on TV but is anyone actually listening? The fact that we allowed “take out” and “home delivery” services during the last eight weeks was already a violation of the word “Quarantine,” but who would dare challenge or inconvenience the self entitlement of the rich who must have their favorite drinks and treats even if there was the chance that one out of several thousand drivers might actually be infected with Covid-19 and could pass it on to a poor house maid or a child unaware of the seriousness of the threat. I benefitted from the policy but it does not necessarily make it logical or justified.

In any case, the IATF has opened the gates and people rushed out, drove out, caused traffic, built up queues and lines at groceries, hardware stores, gas stations etc. In the midst of all that understandable madness, some level headed netizens reminded people via Facebook posts “MECQ does not mean that Covid-19 is gone. It simply means they now have more room at the ICU for you.” People complained that the strict inspection at checkpoints were responsible for the traffic on EDSA and key routes in Metro Manila. But no one seemed to realize that every time you go through a long line of cars and motorcycles and people where cops or civilian security personnel check your temperature and identification, you are literally inches away from an arm and a gloved hand that has been stuck into cars and faces of “God knows who” that might be actively infected but asymptomatic. That gloved hand or forearm goes into your air-conditioned car where the first thing that greets it is the airflow from your ever reliable and cool car air conditioner, just the right setting for the virus to travel and thrive.  Call me crazy or an alarmist. I’m in good company, that’s what they branded the ophthalmologist who first called out Covid-19 infections in Wuhan, China.

So the question now is, did all those people who dashed out this weekend practice enough safety protocols to avoid contracting Covid-19, or are we going to suddenly see a spike of cases after 7 to 10 days? I have no idea and I sincerely hope not because that would be a very good sign. But either way, I would rather play it safe and I’ll be the perfect gentleman. As a courtesy to others and for personal safety I will opt to say: After you!

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I love our readers and those of you who view our program AGENDA on Cignal TV channels 8 & 250 as well as those who go to the Facebook platform of Onenewsph to catch our daily show (starting at 8:05 to 9:30 a.m. Monday to Friday) Your comments and encouragements are much appreciated and the stories you share helps add to our knowledge as well. There was one letter last week that surprised if not shocked me from one viewer who expressed their appreciation for the program but perhaps out of sincere concern, called me out for wearing “pajamas” on the show. She said that our “Work From Home” status was not license to be so casual as to wear pajamas. I honestly had a good laugh after a few seconds as I replied to the email where I shared that I don’t own a single pair of pajamas. This might be TMI as the kids call it or “Too Much Information” but since we don’t use our air conditioner regularly, I find pajamas to be uncomfortable. I’m also a “just in case” kind of guy so I prefer to sleep in plain cotton T-shirts and gym shorts. 

I recently stopped wearing suits on my set for Agenda because I’m working from my living room where I don’t have an air conditioner set below 24 degrees, so the jackets simply had to go and the casual shirts also relaxes the mood on screen given how toxic today’s topics have become. I suppose there have been too many stories about TV reporters and anchors wearing suit and tie above but shorts below the table. I honestly think it’s a bit exaggerated since we all live in fear of looking stupid or exposed in front of a live studio. I’m honestly too old school to be swayed into the “Covid Chic” fashion option where you simply let your hair grow and follow it up with a beard and a mustache to boot. All this letting it all hang loose and unshaven reminds me of the time when my dad Louie Beltran declared that he would never shave his moustache for as long as Marcos and Martial Law were in place. Unfortunately, mustaches often make men look menacing and I’m sure many of my dad’s students have forever been traumatized by the character and the mustache! I get the acts of protest or the Covid Chic notions but like the letter writer pointed out, we professionals have a standard and an expectation to meet. Sorry I’m more of a frustrated Marine, I use Jethro Gibbs on NCIS as my style model and I’d like to think we have similarities in character and disposition.

I did try to solve the mystery and asked my wife and daughter what could have been mistaken for a pajama top. It was one of my favorite blue and white stripped shirts similar that they use for walks on the beach! So much for trying to be cool and relaxed!

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