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Leachon urges public, 'Save lives and do voluntary ECQ'

Philippines | National

Leachon urges public, 'Save lives and do voluntary ECQ'

By Analou de Vera

Health reform advocate Dr. Tony Leachon encouraged the public to have an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) mindset amid the rising cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country.

Dr. Tony Leachon, former special adviser to the National Task Force against COVID-19.
(Photo from Tony Leachon's Facebook page / FILE PHOTO)

"Five thousand COVID cases and a dangerous uptick evident now. Each Filipino must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn't," Leachon posted in his Twitter account on Sunday, March 14.

"You cannot shirk your responsibility. Save lives and do voluntary ECQ," he added.

Since March 5, the Philippines' daily number of new COVID-19 cases has ranged between 3,000 to 5,000.

"Even if we are on GCQ (general community quarantine), let us act as if we are on ECQ for the next two weeks or longer, that is, stay at home unless extremely necessary," said the former adviser to the Inter-Agency for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

"We don't need the government to put us on ECQ. We can do it voluntarily. Let's do it for our healthcare workers, for ourselves, and families," he added.

Dr. Leachon suggested the following "voluntary ECQ" activities that the public can do: -No going to church/ places of worship. Pray and reflect online.

-No going to gyms and recreation facilities. Try online programs.

-No going to salons and barber shops. Wait or learn to-do-it-yourself.

-No eating inside restaurants. Try delivery or cook at home.

-No to non-essential travel. Recover sleep, enjoy home.

-Yes to online transactions.

-Yes to working home whenever possible.

-Yes to strictly observing protocols. Wear a mask and sanitize.

-Yes to unity in prayer. Let's cooperate.

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