Far from normal

The government recently assured another strict ECQ will not be implemented over the country. But with recent numbers of 9,000 plus cases for several consecutive days, officials saw it fit to place the NCR, Rizal, Cavite, Bulacan, and Laguna under ECQ for the duration of the Holy Week. I don't know just how strict this ECQ will be implemented. I'm sure it won't be similar to what we had last year at the start of the pandemic. A curfew from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. has also been imposed on these areas. A "compassionate enforcement" of the curfew for those on their way home from work will be implemented. Those planning staycations in the NCR will not be allowed during this ECQ, so just stay home. The whole idea is to lessen the outpouring of people and having interactions, intended or not. The rise in the number of cases has coincided with the easing of quarantine regulations.

People probably thought that with the easing of restrictions and the arrival of vaccines it was already much safer to lead normal lives. Nothing is farther from the truth. The usual health protocols of wearing a face mask and face shield, hand sanitizing, and physical distancing must still be followed. Mass gatherings of too many people are still not allowed. One official blamed secret parties for the rise in numbers. I think the government should release the demographics of all these recent positive cases, so the people can be aware of where all these are coming from.

It remains to be seen if this current ECQ will stem the tide of rising positive cases. In a recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia, six out of ten Filipinos are hesitant to be vaccinated. That's more than 35 million of the 70 million of the government's target to achieve herd immunity. This is a big factor to consider. The government must instill trust in its vaccination program. But the concerns of those unwilling aren't entirely unfounded.

Those experiencing side effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine such as fever, headaches, and body malaise have been rising. While we haven't heard anything from those inoculated with the Sinovac vaccine, its origins alone already cast doubts. The country has yet to receive the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines which might improve trust. But these vaccines are highly sought after in the world, creating a supply problem. We should also mention the coronavirus is not yet fully understood. The emergence of several variants proves that. Vaccine companies are insisting their respective vaccines are effective against these variants. But it is also hard to believe that in the absence of extensive clinical trials. There are those saying vaccines will only offer temporary and not lifelong immunity, requiring jabs every six months to a year. The world must learn to correctly fight this virus, if not to learn to live with it. Things are far from normal and people must realize that.