Living with Covid-19

EDITORIAL

News organizations, in this time of Covid-19) pandemic, play a crucial role in informing the public on developments and updates about the disease and the pandemic.

Part of this role is to remind everyone that we are still living in the pandemic despite the easing of restrictions. The figures reported by the Department of Health on July 5 is a wake-up call for Filipinos.
The health agency reported 2,434 new Covid-19 cases in the country, bringing the total cases in the country to 44,254. Active cases in the country are now at 31,015, recoveries at 11,942, and deaths at 1,297.

Based on pooled data of the Asean Post, the Philippines has the third most number of total cases in Southeast Asia, just behind Indonesia (63,749) and Singapore (44,800). On July 5, the Philippines had the most number of new cases in a single day, compared to Indonesia (1,607) and Singapore (136). Malaysia and Thailand reported only five new cases each while Myanmar reported only seven new cases. Vietnam, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos reported zero Covid-19 cases.

In terms of active cases, the Philippines comes second after Indonesia (31,473). Singapore only has 4,657 active cases.

Philippines also had the lowest recovery rate in Southeast Asia at only 27 percent. The highest is Laos with a 100 percent recovery rate, followed by Brunei Darussalam (98%), Malaysia (97%), Thailand (96%), Vietnam (95%), Cambodia (93%), Singapore (89%), Myanmar (76%), and Indonesia (45%).

While the Philippine government and the local government units have been doing their part to enable the country to combat Covid-19, netizens point out it is clear that more has to be done to improve the country's Covid-19 status.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque's pronouncement that the country has beaten University of the Philippine's Covid-19 predictions was derided.

The Philippines has not beaten anything. The number of cases in the past days has been rapidly increasing. Based on the current trend, it will be only a matter of time the Philippines will exceed Singapore in terms of the total number of Covid-19 cases and exceed Indonesia in the number of active cases.

Netizens point out efforts to combat Covid-19 not merely lies on the medical sector or the regulations and policies the government puts in place. Fighting Covid-19 also rests upon the public.

The Department of Health and the World Health Organization urged the public to avoid the three C's -- Crowded places, close-contact settings, and confined and enclosed places -- because of the risk of catching the disease. It said there is a higher risk of catching the disease if all three criteria are met.

The public was also urged to avoid crowded places. If you find yourself in one, spend the shortest amount of time there. The public had been advised to observe physical distancing, washing of hands with soap and water, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and wearing of face mask. If ever you are not feeling well, stay at home unless it is a medical emergency where you have to go to the hospital.

This Covid pandemic can be beaten in the near future, according to experts, but it has to start from individuals.