GCQ

The National Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease has recommended Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu City to be placed under General Community Quarantine. This means that certain industries will be allowed again and that public transportation will ply the streets. It seems like a good idea, like we are already going back to normal slowly. But if we take a look at it, we are not prepared.

As pointed out by certain officials, there is a rise in the number of cases in the highly-urbanized cities in Cebu. When we allow movement even to a certain extent, there is a probability that the populace will be in danger. While the economy is already at the brink of losing everything it has, we are also putting public health at risk. Remember that the virus spreads so fast and there are silent carriers - the asymptomatics. We are lucky enough to have more than 90% of those who tested positive to be asymptomatic. But this isn’t even basis for us to relax; instead we must be on our guard.

The premature transition of the community quarantine from enhanced to general is not what we need right now. The way I see it, we need mass testing to determine the extent of the infection. By then we will know who needs treatment and isolation, in an attempt to eradicate the virus until it doesn't exist in certain areas. We are thankful for the all the efforts of the government for this crisis but if we don't cooperate in seeing the extent of the virus, then we might be putting ourselves in a dead end.

I understand that there is a need for people to have their jobs back and many are relying a daily wage but I discovered that it is better to be safe than sorry. What will we do with having our economy back but people are dying. The hospitals are haunted because even those with other illnesses are scared to there because of fears they will get the virus, instead they go only when their conditions get worse. The result? Deaths and more deaths. If we want to save our populace then we must cooperate.

I do miss the outside world - going to malls and traveling. Heck, I want to explore! But there are things that we can put on hold while we continue this battle with this invisible enemy. Tomorrow is going to be a challenge as we watch how the cities will transition as mandated. I hope by this time there is a sense of urgency in them to put the tri-cities into status quo. We are all scared to lose more lives. The virus is deadly, and we are not ready. We might be eventually, but not now.

There is a thin line between having wisdom and having aspirations. I hope our leaders choose well on the next steps we must take. It could be tedious but this will all be for our own good.