Middle ground

I listened to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque's press conference around noon on Tuesday since President Duterte's earlier press conference did not mention anything about the ECQ which everyone was anticipating. Roque was tasked to give the good news, or bad depending on how it affects you. Displays of a map of the Philippines were flashed on the screen where regions were color-coded in green, yellow, and red. It's not difficult to know what these colors mean. Metro Manila which belongs to the NCR is red along with several cities including Cebu City but not the whole province. But Roque immediately explained a new category of quarantine, the modified enhanced quarantine community (MECQ) which will take effect from May 16 until May 31. They're really not running out of letters.

Based on the recommendation of the WHO, the IATF-EID remained on the side of caution in placing the areas under GCQ and MECQ. A gradual easing of restrictions was followed to prevent the virus from again gaining a foothold on the population. Under MECQ, people would be allowed to go out of the house to buy necessities and get to work. Some manufacturing and processing plants will be allowed to resume but only with a 50% workforce. What those manufacturing companies have yet to be enumerated. Obviously, they heeded the call of many to restart the economy albeit slowly. Limited transportation of essential goods and services will be allowed including those going to work. This is probably the best middle ground the IATF could place Metro Manila and Cebu City.  

Obviously, people are tired of the quarantine. We have been under the ECQ for two months, some areas even more restrictive. According to DFA Sec. Locsin, it is time to be under GCQ to determine if people have learned to be careful. For him, if the number of cases of COVID-19 increases then the blame rests on the infected themselves. It's no longer surprising for Locsin to come out with something like that.

For me, COVID-19 is still a danger to everyone. If people start coming out of their homes after being cooped up for two months and become careless then we could very well have a second wave. We just have to look at South Korea. When they thought they have flattened the curve, the number of cases spiked. Clubs and bars in Seoul have now been ordered closed. Singapore also thought they contained the virus until migrant workers came back and lived in cramped quarters.

A return to the normal may not happen in the near future. I still fear of being infected. With two kids that fear is multiplied. If many become complacent, we might end up like Singapore and South Korea. Wearing a face mask is mandatory everywhere, including frequent washing or disinfecting hands and social distancing. Especially if people start coming out of their homes.