UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
As we end year two of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it’s time to take stock of what we’ve gone through so far. Let’s acknowledge it’s been a tough two years. We lost dear family, friends, and colleagues to the virus. We missed some of our freedoms like meeting with friends, partying, and travelling. Many lost their jobs or lost their minds. Depression was rampant.
We do have to count our blessings, and be thankful to the Lord above for what He/She has given us thus far. Mind you, this pandemic was man’s own doing. For destroying nature and disrespecting our fellow creatures, mankind has brought this plague upon itself. The admonition to take dominion of the earth didn’t mean to despoil it but rather to take responsibility for its upkeep.
I thank the Lord for keeping my family safe. Thus far, we’ve been spared the dreaded infection.
The pandemic has brought our classmates, both UP pre-med (Dadufalza’s English Honors Class ’67) and med school (UPCM1975) a lot closer by keeping us connected thru Viber. We commiserated with each other on our losses and struggles, thus forming stronger bonds and keeping ourselves sane.
Professionally, I thank my fellow pathologists and the Philippine Society of Pathologists Inc., for rising to the challenge posed by the lack of molecular laboratory infrastructure to test for SARS-CoV-2. Recall that it took weeks early on because there were just two laboratories (RITM and PGC) that did the testing and they were overwhelmed. We put up RT-PCR labs from scratch and managed to have more than 300 labs at last count. That was a monumental job well done! It didn’t end there, since we continually have to supervise our technical staff and sign out the COVID tests day and night. The pathologists, medical technologists, swabbers, and encoders have to be congratulated even as the public doesn’t realize the essential roles we play in managing this pandemic. Without testing, there would be no diagnosis, without which there can be no medical management. Take a bow, guys! We undertook research to apply pooled testing to RT-PCR in order to expand testing since it was (still is) prohibitive to do molecular testing, (gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis). From the time I proposed the concept in May 2020, it only took six months to complete the research and have it approved by the Department of Health for use with its guidelines.
Let’s thank our doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers (HCW), who made so many sacrifices, including the ultimate one, to save as many from dying from the virus. One way to thank them is to reduce their workload by keeping safe and not taking risks so we don’t get infected.
Let’s thank the scientists who gave us COVID vaccines in record time with clinical trials that proved their efficacy and safety. They have helped save hundreds of thousands from hospitalization and death. Thank them by getting vaccinated and boosted, no less.
The researchers who are conducting studies on anti-COVID drugs deserve recognition. Whether it’s proving if a drug is effective or not matters. One less ineffective drug like hydroxychloroquine or one with no proven benefit like ivermectin means we can concentrate on what really works. Paxlovid works if taken early, a blessing we can add to our armamentarium. We can’t wait for it to be available locally.
A plea to my fellow doctors who continue to push ivermectin: Please give it up. Remember our Hippocratic oath to “Do no harm.” Follow the science, not the hype. The more you continue to espouse this, the more people may die when they follow your advice.
Thanks to our fellow countrymen and women who rose to the challenges posed by the lockdowns and restrictions crippling the livelihood of millions. Our businessmen, exemplified by Joey Concepcion of GoNegosyo, continue to strive to keep our fellow Filipinos afloat by pouring in their own resources in testing, supplying PPE, and in general supporting the economy to keep it from collapsing. Now, they are focused on vaccination drives to help achieve herd immunity. Bravo! Ordinary citizens have risen to the occasion by donating their time and money to help feed our starving people through community pantries. Cheers, Ann Patricia Non, for starting the movement that has gone nationwide.
Finally, let me thank a woman who has done so much and still continues to do more. Early on in the pandemic, when even the government was paralyzed, she initiated the move to mobilize local businesses to make PPE for our health care workers, provided HCW and stranded travelers with free rides, gave COVID Care kits to stricken patients, provided medical e-consult services, testing and vaccine availability. She is no other than Vice President Leni Robredo. Thank you, Ma’am! You’ve given our country so much. More than that, you are a source of HOPE that we can rise above this pandemic and the many other challenges facing the Philippines. May you be given the chance to lead us into the future. Amen!