Samsam, Mike in isolation

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas are currently in isolation following exposure to COVID-19 patients.

Gullas announced that his family, including his wife Rhea, their children, 10-year-old Princess and two-year-old Pining, and other household members, caught the virus recently.

“It saddens me to say this but for transparency, since I’m a public official, my whole family has tested POSITIVE for Covid-19. I remain negative until my last antigen test at 5am today (yesterday),” said Gullas.

Gullas, who had survived a bout with COVID-19 before, said he had been isolating since last week following his exposure to those positive and for being in the hospital when his two-year-old daughter got admitted.

“Due to this, I have decided, per IATF guidelines, to isolate at home. Even negative ko, I am a close contact of the family and didto sad ko sa hospital, it’s very possible I might get infected in the days to come. I don’t want to go out and infect others, especially in city hall which is where everyone is working at the EOC. We will undergo the usual isolation procedure to ensure that my family recovers from Covid completely,” said Gullas.

Gullas assured that even he is in isolation, all other services at the City Hall remain uninterrupted.

“Rest assured padayon atong kalihokan sa city hall ug tanan serbisyo sa gobyerno, including our vaccination drive. Naa sad atong mga department heads nga motabang nako para di gyud mahunong atong pagpanerbisyo sa City Hall,” he said.

Gullas also made use of the Covid-19 situation at his own home to encourage the unvaccinated eligible population to get vaccinated as soon as they can.

“Dako gyud og tabang ang Covid-19 vaccine kay wala gyud gibati nga serious symptoms. It also helped that my wife and I already have our boosters. Ang bata intawn ang luoy karon panahona kay wala pa silay bakuna. Mao gyud ni pirmeng hangyo nako ninyo: Please get vaccinated as soon as possible. You can help protect your loved ones, especially the young ones who are not eligible yet and those who can’t get vaccinated for medical reasons, by getting vaccinated,” stressed Gullas.

Meanwhile, Rama is also doing some precautions following exposure to COVID-19 probable and positives from previous meetings.

Though experiencing no symptoms, Rama said he has to take precautions not only as he is already a senior citizen and with comorbidity, but because he also has a 1-year and seven month-old son to protect, as well as the rest of the fellow workers at the City Hall.

For those experiencing some symptoms at the City Hall, a work-from-home setup is also being done.

“I am being identified as being exposed…So I have to be sensitive to others. Puyo lang sa ta,” said Rama.

With his situation, Rama holds his meetings online.

“I had to be very careful…and be sensitive. At the moment, we must be careful… Ako, I also make a calculated risk, but a calibrated move,” said Rama. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon,  JMD (FREEMAN)