Medium Rare
Jullie Y. Daza
Senator Cynthia Villar says it’s “unfair” to keep senior citizens locked up in their homes even after they’ve had their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. What’s the vaccination for if not for their protection outside the four walls of their home?
The good senator said she would “follow up” her plea on behalf of vaccinated citizens 65 years old and older with the vaccination rollout czar, Gen. Carlito Galvez. Those two words, follow up, can be boiled down to one short word, “nag” as it is used in the world outside the corporate, bureaucratic, legal, academic, and military life. Outside that world, wives nag their husbands, masters nag their pets, secretaries nag their bosses. Let’s see how a retired general will take to being nagged by a civilian authority elected by the people.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez did not say it in so many words, but he implied that by letting the oldies enjoy mobility and freedom of movement outside their homes, they will contribute their two cents to the badly battered and shattered economy. By allowing the super seniors to move around, they’ll also encourage those who are still hesitant to go out and get their shots, he added.
Which reminds me. We were about to enter a turo-turo restaurant in Laguna. At the sight of the security guard standing by the door, I hesitated. He looked at me – was it my hair, my flat shoes, my palengkera basket? Oh, no, was he about to embarrass me in front of my companions and passersby? I decided to take the offensive and asked him straight out, “Are you going to let me in?” My attitude must’ve shocked him – really, I’m a nice person in the daytime – because he instantly replied with a grin, “Of course, ma’am, come in po. We welcome seniors, they’re the ones with money to spend!” He should be an Asec to Sec Lopez!
Recently, the President (who’s not had his second dose) nagged hesitant or forgetful seniors to get their booster shot. Who knew that less than 12 hours later, many vax centers in Metro Manila would run out of vaccines? How many of them frustrated vaccinees were seniors aiming for their second jab?