Ready for Alert Level 0

Metro Manila mayors are “ready and willing” to implement Alert Level 0. They are just waiting for the IATF to issue guidelines. An Alert Level 0 is tantamount to normalcy --businesses can operate at almost full capacity, large gatherings may be allowed, churches are allowed to hold masses with an increase in attendees. What will stay in place is the strong suggestion to wear a face mask and frequent cleaning of hands.

The government continues to vaccinate those who want it. According to the DOH, about 64 million people have been fully vaccinated, while ten million have already received the booster. Hopefully, the numbers continue to increase. The DOH target is 70 million by the end of March. It would be even better if 90 million are fully vaccinated and about 50 million have a booster shot. Herd immunity may be achieved. The number of positive cases has dropped again to less than a thousand. Let’s hope it stays that way.

Being an election year, vaccination becomes more important. Candidates are ramping up their campaign sorties all over the country with supporters attending their preferred candidates’ rallies. Physical distancing is no longer possible and some do not wear masks. As the elections draw nearer, the campaigns, as well as supporters, will exponentially increase. The possibility of these becoming superspreader events is high. It remains to be seen if this is true. Hopefully not. The Comelec has not released guidelines for voting this May. Will the voting time be extended? Will they add a day? Or will it remain the same as in previous elections?

To add to our concerns, a new variant, deltacron, is currently being monitored closely. Its existence has been confirmed by the WHO. This is proof that the pandemic is not completely over, and the coronavirus will continue to mutate. There is not much data on whether deltacron is more contagious or what sort of symptoms it presents with. What is certain is this variant is already migrating to many parts of the world. There is no evidence deltacron has reached the Philippines, but officials are aware. So, if you think everything is back to normal, think again. Face masks and vaccines are the best weapons against COVID. To those who say COVID is not true or liken it to the common flu, and that vaccination is not needed, they should tell that to those who have lost loved ones these past two years. I hope it doesn’t take you getting infected to convince you the danger is real.