Did it help?

So Metro Manila is back on GCQ, as is Cebu City. The big question is, did the two-week re-imposition of an MECQ help in lowering the number of COVID-19 cases in the country? Because right now we are at 164,474 with 112,759 recoveries and 2,681 deaths. The DOH has not answered that question. The number of cases last August 3 was at 103,185.

With the once again easing of quarantine restrictions on Metro Manila, the medical community specifically the frontliners may have to brace themselves for another wave of COVID-19 cases. As if hospitals weren't already bursting at the seams. There likewise was no call from the medical groups for another two weeks of MECQ, perhaps not wanting to get the ire of President Duterte, even if they see it as necessary. Another tongue-lashing from a known foul-mouthed leader is not what they want.

I feel for the medical frontliners. We hear of horror stories of how they are treated and stigmatized by others during this pandemic. Kicked out of their homes by ignorant landowners. Forced to stay in the hospital for fear of bringing home the virus and infecting their loved ones. Then there's the story of a fallen nurse who only received P7,000 in hazard pay when the local government was mandated to given a promised hazard pay of P30,000 and P1 million for the families of fallen frontliners from the national government as mandated by the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act. The DILG promised to look into both unfulfilled promises.

These are the plights frontliners must face, while we hear of the massive unchecked corruption allegedly taking place in PhilHealth where billions have been lost. It is so easy to be incensed at the fact those behind the corruption just sit comfortably behind a desk while frontliners do the exhausting work. Now the standard Philippine practice of those called by the Senate to apply for medical leaves or being admitted into hospitals when an investigation is underway is very much into play. Who knows what exactly will come out of yet another investigation into corruption at PhilHealth? By the way, PhilHealth officials should not be the only ones investigated, but unscrupulous medical practitioners as well. As the saying goes, it takes two to tango.

A friend told me that the recent increase in positive cases are now coming from the younger generation, who most likely believe they are more protected against the virus and are more nonchalant about living the "old normal". It makes sense. I have a nephew and his friend who only recently recovered from COVID-19 and are now donating plasma. This must be addressed by the DOH if indeed true. The young cannot be willing victims to the virus or, even worse, be carriers and spread it around.