Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Senators warn vs. 'second wave' of COVID-19, urge public to observe health protocols
Philippines
Senators warn vs. 'second wave' of COVID-19, urge public to observe health protocols
Senators warn vs. 'second wave' of COVID-19, urge public to observe health protocols
Published May 17, 2020 05:32 pm
By Hannah Torregoza
Senators on Sunday expressed their concern that the number of COVID-19 infections in the Philippines will remain high as local government officials reported overcrowding in areas placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
Senate of the Philippines (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto and Sen. Panfilo Lacson said they believe the Philippines is not done with “the first wave” of COVID-19 since there is lack of massive testing and contact tracing of positive coronavirus patients.
“I don't think we're done with the first wave. We haven't tested much. The stats (statistics) will speak for itself,” Recto said.
“But yes, I expect more infections without proper social distancing and non-wearing of masks. We must continue reminding people only to go out for essentials and to practice social distancing and wearing masks and that the virus has not yet been defeated,” Recto reiterated.
“We haven't gone past the first wave yet, so I'm not sure about a second wave,” Lacson said when also sought for comment.
“I think the IATF should reconsider their decision on the opening of the malls and other similar establishments unless strict physical distancing and other protocols are observed,” Lacson said.
Sen. Nancy Binay also said she believes local government units (LGUs) were ill-prepared to enforce the necessary COVID-19 protocols when the IATF decided to ease quarantine restrictions.
“What is worrisome is that when the IATF declared some areas as GCQ (general community quarantine) and MECQ, the LGUs—and even national agencies—are not even prepared, or even near in realizing the COVID T3 (test, trace, treat) strategy which is supposed to be already in a satisfactory operational level by this time,” Binay said.
“Kaya 'yong sinasabing (So the so-called) 'second wave,' we all know that it's not a question of if, but when. At kung pagbabatayan natin 'yong bugso ng mga tao kahapon (And if we go by the surge of people yesterday, May 16), well, don't expect just a second wave—prepare for a tsunami!” she said.
Sen. Francis Tolentino and Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, said they will wait for health experts’ opinions on the matter.
“We have to wait for the records and data, but lessening of restrictions might overlap with new testing capacities and might affect interpretations, so we have to be careful in arriving at conclusions. Let's leave that to the experts,” Tolentino said.
“I will rely on opinions of experts on that point. I am not qualified to make that judgment. But I appeal to our people to follow protocols: social distancing, wearing masks, and frequent washing,” Drilon said.
Sen. Joel Villanueva, meanwhile, urged the government to first carefully scrutinize any policy proposal presented by stakeholders as it attempts to reopen the country’s economy.
“We've seen reports of people crowding open establishments on the first day of the transition period starting on Saturday (May 16), and it is alarming. If we continue with this practice, we will expect a surge of infection in the coming days,” Villanueva said.
“And we worry about capacity of our healthcare system. We have not done a significant upgrading of our healthcare facilities to warrant the capacity to respond to a surge of infection,” he lamented.
“Our government must carefully scrutinize any policy proposal brought forth by stakeholders. We are walking on eggshells here. Yes, we have to restore some economic activities, but we have to make sure that protocols and proper monitoring are in place and our healthcare system upgraded. We haven’t seen those,” he added.
Villanueva, likewise, appealed to the public to remain vigilant and take the COVID-19 problem seriously.
“Let us limit our trips outside our homes to essential ones, such as going to buy supplies or heading to work. We also appeal to our workers to continue observing social distancing and other safety protocols in and out of the workplace."
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go also appealed to the public to maintain social distancing and follow the precautionary measures in place whether under MECQ or GCQ.
“Tandaan natin na wala pa pong vaccine sa (Let’s remember there is still no vaccine for) COVID-19. Hindi pa rin natin alam kung magkano ang kailangan kapag naging available na ito (We also do not know how much this will cost once this becomes available),” Go said.
“This is why I am urging everyone to work together to save our resources so that when the time comes that the vaccine is available, we will have enough funds for it,” he added.
Senate of the Philippines (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto and Sen. Panfilo Lacson said they believe the Philippines is not done with “the first wave” of COVID-19 since there is lack of massive testing and contact tracing of positive coronavirus patients.
“I don't think we're done with the first wave. We haven't tested much. The stats (statistics) will speak for itself,” Recto said.
“But yes, I expect more infections without proper social distancing and non-wearing of masks. We must continue reminding people only to go out for essentials and to practice social distancing and wearing masks and that the virus has not yet been defeated,” Recto reiterated.
“We haven't gone past the first wave yet, so I'm not sure about a second wave,” Lacson said when also sought for comment.
“I think the IATF should reconsider their decision on the opening of the malls and other similar establishments unless strict physical distancing and other protocols are observed,” Lacson said.
Sen. Nancy Binay also said she believes local government units (LGUs) were ill-prepared to enforce the necessary COVID-19 protocols when the IATF decided to ease quarantine restrictions.
“What is worrisome is that when the IATF declared some areas as GCQ (general community quarantine) and MECQ, the LGUs—and even national agencies—are not even prepared, or even near in realizing the COVID T3 (test, trace, treat) strategy which is supposed to be already in a satisfactory operational level by this time,” Binay said.
“Kaya 'yong sinasabing (So the so-called) 'second wave,' we all know that it's not a question of if, but when. At kung pagbabatayan natin 'yong bugso ng mga tao kahapon (And if we go by the surge of people yesterday, May 16), well, don't expect just a second wave—prepare for a tsunami!” she said.
Sen. Francis Tolentino and Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, said they will wait for health experts’ opinions on the matter.
“We have to wait for the records and data, but lessening of restrictions might overlap with new testing capacities and might affect interpretations, so we have to be careful in arriving at conclusions. Let's leave that to the experts,” Tolentino said.
“I will rely on opinions of experts on that point. I am not qualified to make that judgment. But I appeal to our people to follow protocols: social distancing, wearing masks, and frequent washing,” Drilon said.
Sen. Joel Villanueva, meanwhile, urged the government to first carefully scrutinize any policy proposal presented by stakeholders as it attempts to reopen the country’s economy.
“We've seen reports of people crowding open establishments on the first day of the transition period starting on Saturday (May 16), and it is alarming. If we continue with this practice, we will expect a surge of infection in the coming days,” Villanueva said.
“And we worry about capacity of our healthcare system. We have not done a significant upgrading of our healthcare facilities to warrant the capacity to respond to a surge of infection,” he lamented.
“Our government must carefully scrutinize any policy proposal brought forth by stakeholders. We are walking on eggshells here. Yes, we have to restore some economic activities, but we have to make sure that protocols and proper monitoring are in place and our healthcare system upgraded. We haven’t seen those,” he added.
Villanueva, likewise, appealed to the public to remain vigilant and take the COVID-19 problem seriously.
“Let us limit our trips outside our homes to essential ones, such as going to buy supplies or heading to work. We also appeal to our workers to continue observing social distancing and other safety protocols in and out of the workplace."
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go also appealed to the public to maintain social distancing and follow the precautionary measures in place whether under MECQ or GCQ.
“Tandaan natin na wala pa pong vaccine sa (Let’s remember there is still no vaccine for) COVID-19. Hindi pa rin natin alam kung magkano ang kailangan kapag naging available na ito (We also do not know how much this will cost once this becomes available),” Go said.
“This is why I am urging everyone to work together to save our resources so that when the time comes that the vaccine is available, we will have enough funds for it,” he added.