"Nothing to be extra-scared"
Concern for the nCoV ARD is still on everyone's mind. The DOH recently announced that 80 people were being monitored if they have been infected with the virus. Of these, 27 are in Metro Manila. It will take several days before the results of the tests are known. According to DOH Sec. Duque, the increase is due to the close monitoring of local government units. In other words, those being monitored were asked where they came from, who they were with and if they have been in close proximity to those positive for the nCoV ARD. Two have turned up positive for the virus, one has died. Both Chinese nationals who recently came from Wuhan.
In China, the death toll due to the coronavirus has reached 425. Their national total of those infected is now at 19,550. It seems every day we hear about the increase of the dead and the infected in China. This is why many countries have promptly closed their borders with China such as Russia and Mongolia. Even Hong Kong only allowed three entry points from the mainland. Many airlines have stopped flights to China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Many Chinese are currently stranded at NAIA because there are no flights into the mainland. Some countries have sent aircraft to bring home their citizens. China itself has closed off some areas where people are not being allowed to leave or enter in order to prevent the virus from spreading. The nCoV ARD has already surpassed SARS in the number of deaths and infected.
I wonder why China is accusing America of overreacting and feeding mass hysteria. The US has prevented foreigners from entering the US and is only allowing its citizens to return. But so many countries have gone the same route of isolating themselves from China and travelers from the mainland. Airlines have stopped flights into China. Isn't it better to err on the side of caution? In this situation, if that is overreacting then so be it.
But according to President Duterte, "Everything is well in the country. There's nothing really to be extra-scared of that coronavirus thing.” The two positive cases in the country need not be a cause for alarm. He also assailed the hysterical response of the people. Perhaps he is referring to the panic-buying of face masks, where establishments quickly ran out. He also called out those engaging in xenophobia. No surprises there. Duterte is actually belittling the nCoV ARD, saying it will die a natural death just like SARS. That may be true. But being infected before "it dies a natural death" is no trivial matter. There are no medicines or any vaccine for the coronavirus which is why people are reacting the way they are. If Duterte is not afraid to shake hands as he stated, I hope he frequently washes them.
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