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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH enters pandemic 'phase of acceptance', experts say

PH enters pandemic 'phase of acceptance', experts say

Published Sep 22, 2022 01:39 pm

The Philippines is entering the "phase of acceptance" in the Covid-19 pandemic where people are aware of its risks but are learning to manage them.

People flock to Ilaya in Binondo, Manila on Jan. 2, 2022. Metro Manila will be under Alert Level 3 starting Jan. 3 until Jan. 15, 2022 due to the rise of COVID-19 cases. (ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)

This is the observation of non-profit advocacy group Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion.

“I call it a phase of acceptance; I believe it has started and that we will have to live with the risks of the virus still being around,” Concepcion said in a statement on Thursday, Sept. 22.

This is at a time when medical experts warn of a surge in Covid-19 cases after the government allowed optional wearing of face masks outdoors despite "vaccination rates still remaining sluggish."

Infectious diseases expert Dr. Benjamin Co said that the country cannot wait for everyone to decide on their personal health.

“We cannot protect everyone all the time. I guess we have already provided everyone with the tools to prevent, diagnose and treat Covid-19. The next move is ours on an individual basis,” Co said.

Co, who is also an OCTA Research fellow, explained that it may appear that Covid cases are going down globally, but it is not because there are fewer people getting infected.

He said it is because “people are not testing as frequently as before and prefer to move on in spite of the pandemic.”

Co likened the pandemic to the stages of grief: anger, denial, bargaining, depression and acceptance, saying “the sixth stage is the final journey after acceptance – finding meaning."

“With lives upended by the pandemic ... it really is difficult to get back to the way it was. We will never be the same anytime soon. Yet we need to be,” he said.

Concepcion, meanwhile, said that Filipinos have been guided and advised for the last two years, and that vaccinations remain free to avail around the country.

“Doctors advise us on how we should handle Covid, but in the end it is us that makes the choice. We suffer the consequences of our wrong decisions in life; this is no different,” he said.

Concepcion explained that since the country cannot legally mandate vaccinations, it will need to stock up on antiviral medicines, especially to be able to treat those who become severely ill.

“The world has started moving on; let's not be the last ones to accept this fact,” he said.

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