EDITORIAL - Some people still don’t get it

There are others who still don’t seem to grasp how serious the situation with COVID-19 has become. And that with so few testing kits available for such a huge population, cutting the chain of infection is our best strategy right now.

Several youths --children who weren’t even in their teens or barely in their teens-- were recently taken into custody in Carcar City for loitering outside their homes even with the enhanced community quarantine.

Anyone going outside for a food or supply run is also likely to see groups of neighbors hanging out outside their house talking, laughing, and appearing to enjoy themselves. There are many such reports and photos circulating in social media.

For some people, it seems that this enhanced community quarantine is nothing more than an excuse to keep away from work and do as they please.

Yes, an enhanced community quarantine is a reason to stay home, but it is not the time to get friendly with the neighbors.

The main point of an enhanced community quarantine is to limit our interaction with others. Limited interaction means lesser chances of getting infected with the virus, or transmitting the virus to others. Spending time out outside your house, talking with neighbors, and engaging in idle gossip or even in a meaningful exchange defeats the very purpose of an enhanced community quarantine.

We aren’t saying you shouldn’t amuse yourself during an enhanced community quarantine. By all means, talk with your family members, watch all the television shows you want, read all those books you have set aside all these years, take up a new hobby, make those silly videos people post online, do whatever it takes to keep yourself sane, but whatever you do, make sure you limit interaction with the outside world.

It’s understandable our human nature will always drive us to socialize with others, seeking the company of other humans. More so with us friendly Filipinos. However, as already mentioned, there cannot be a worst time to do this.

If you go outside desperate to get and spread gossip, just remember that there are chances you will get and spread the virus also.