Observing proper hygiene

It’s no surprise that people who stay in cramped quarters get sick easily. Being in close proximity to each other usually does that to you. It only takes one to infect the many, as they say.

So when several residents affected by the landslide in Sitio Sindulan, Barangay Tina-an, City of Naga were reported to be suffering from respiratory diseases, no one batted an eyelash.

It was bound to happen that someone would get the flu, fever or cough.

The Department of Health (DOH) 7 distributed medicines to make sure other evacuees would not be infected. After all, an outbreak is the last thing the agency wants.

No one wants to add to the survivors’ misery. Earlier, several evacuees suffered from diarrhea when it was learned that water sources at several evacuation centers were contaminated with fecal coliform.

How that happened I have no idea and I don’t want to think about it. I mean, how does s—t get into a water dispenser?

During the investigation, it was found that majority of the tainted water sources were near uncovered garbage receptacles or near toilets where contamination could easily occur.

Thankfully, the matter was addressed immediately and no new cases of loose bowel movement have been reported.

The DOH 7 recommended to City of Naga Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong to transfer garbage disposal bins or portable toilets away from water sources. You think?

Anyway, officials manning the evacuation centers should be vigilant. They must see to it that evacuees observe proper hygiene.

I know. That should be the last thing on the survivors’ minds, considering what they’ve gone through, but if an illness can be prevented by, say, covering one’s mouth while sneezing or by wearing a mask, then do so.

And oh, they should minimize on the public spitting. It’s really gross. And although I’m not a doctor, I think the practice is also unhealthy. But if a spit cannot be avoided, then do so when there aren’t that many people around.

I have observed that many treat public spaces as an extension of their living rooms. They should change this mindset, especially when the province is getting more crowded by the year.

I have been on the receiving end of sneezes and fits of coughing while inside an enclosed space like an elevator or a jeepney many times.

Trust me, I always feel my nose twitch right there and then as I imagine the millions of germs and whatnot gravitate toward me and wreak havoc on my immune system.

I also feel like smacking the offending person for being so inconsiderate.

Of course, if you react, then you’re the villain. Because that’s how it is here. You call someone out for doing something wrong, then you get the stare of death as if you committed a major booboo.

That’s why survivors living in evacuation centers should not take it to heart when they’re reminded not to do this and not to do that.

It is for their own good, after all.