METRO CORNER
By ERIK ESPINA
Erik Espina
Covid-19, a health problem with an inter-agency task force taking the lead (while commendable) demands upgrading to the level of a “national security threat.” Defined by the National Defense College of the Philippines, as “a state of condition where the people’s welfare, well-being, ways of life, government and its institutions, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and core values are enhanced and protected.” Previously, I urged convening of the National Security Council, chaired by the President, with former presidents, cabinet members, the Senate president, etc., as principal advisory body on the proper coordination and integration of plans and policies affecting national security for the purpose of maintaining the survival of the state. If the Palace prefers an alternative, a National Crisis Body may be created, chaired by the secretary of national defense.
Required under present conditions is mental aptitude to call it what it is – a national security threat, a crisis of state. Also, the aptitude for “Situational Awareness,” defined as “the perception of environmental elements and events, with respect to time or space, comprehension of their meaning and projection of their future status.” Critical foundation for successful decision-making.
The elements are: 1. Learn to predict events. 2. Identify elements around you (threats and monitor, detect, recognize multiple situational elements. 3. Trust (gut) feelings. 4. Limit situational overload; prioritize, delegate tasks, minimize surrounding distractions. 5. Avoid complacency. 6. Be aware of time. 7. Begin to evaluate and understand situations. 8. Actively prevent fatigue. 9. Continually assess situations. 10. Monitor performance of others e.g. stress mistakes.
The saying goes, if people think what we are doing is over-reacting, then we must be doing the right thing! A one-month national holiday is necessary to identify/isolate/lock-down/contain covid-19 hot-spots and clusters legislation for supplemental budget, tax breaks, un-employment insurance, plus economic recovery program, a brutal now!