Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Tuesday, June 15 repeated his appeal to Filipinos to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as the government continues to expand the national vaccine program and more doses of vaccines arrive in the country.
“Do not waste the opportunity na mabakunahan po kayo. Nandiyan na po ang bakuna... magpabakuna na kayo.Sa economic frontliners, essential workers, pumunta na po kayo, magpalista na po kayo. Magpabakuna na kayo (Do not waste the opportunity of getting vaccinated. The vaccine is here...get yourselves vaccinated. To the economic frontliners, essential workers go there and register yourselves. Have yourselves vaccinated),” Go said during the launch of the 119th Malasakit Center at the National Children’s Hospital in Quezon City on Monday, June 14.
Go, chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, emphasized to Filipinos not to fear the vaccines but fear the deadly virus instead.
“Be afraid of COVID-19 because it kills. The vaccine is our ally. The vaccine is the key or solution towards our return to normal living,’’ he added.
Citing the situation in some countries such as the United States where basketball games could now take place with a live audience for fully vaccinated individuals, Go persuaded Filipinos to get vaccinated so the Philippines could speedily achieve its community protection target.
With more Filipinos getting fully vaccinated, Go said this could further boost safety and confidence in communities to eventually consider opening some public events in accordance with prescribed health protocols.
‘’To the basketball fans, I know that you watch the NBA (National Basketball Association). You can see that those who got their second dose are already in the audience watching the game. We in the country, we have not started the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) season because we are late. However, our being late can add to our study on how to slowly open it),” said Go.
In the meantime, Go said that the Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring sports teams that are training in their respective bubbles.
‘’For example for now, the PBA, they are practicing and the DOH is keeping a close watch on them to ensure that they follow the restriction,” he added.
‘’The FIBA (International Basketball Federation) qualifiers are now in Clark. The Philippines will play versus (South) Korea. They are not allowed to go out, even if they are already fully vaccinated,” he added.
Go also stated that some of the possible incentives should be given to fully vaccinated individuals as more Filipinos get their vaccines.
‘’Not only for the senior citizens, This is for all my countrymen. This means that once you are fully vaccinated, you can now go out. The restrictions will be eased for you,” he said.
Go, then, expressed optimism that there is “light at the end of the tunnel” as the government hopes to reach the 70 million target for herd immunity by the end of 2021.
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