It is okay if all you do during ECQ is survive

We may think that the economic elites and the middle class have little reason to be alarmed but everyone is a loser in this ECQ. The only chance to achieve victory is to ensure our safety and that of our families and loved ones. Productivity at all levels is hampered. But it should be okay. In fact, it is okay if all we do and achieve in this ECQ is just survive. After all, what can be more precious than our lives?

FIVE hundred eight days since March 15, 2020 when the first enhanced community quarantine was declared in the country, another ECQ is to be imposed. This is in response to a more virulent Delta variant of the continuously mutating virus that is consuming several letters of the Greek Alphabet to date. And this is not only true in the Philippines. Countries known to have been commended by the world for their excellent handling of the Covid-19 situation are now as alarmed. Those countries that have achieved the targeted herd immunity are in the same panic mode.

During the first lockdown in 2020, the new Covid-19 cases in the headlines were 29 and that brought the total number of cases to 140. The death toll then was 12. As of this writing, the cases have multiplied a thousandfold and the deaths are not just numbers we monitor but includes people we know—our families, friends and members of our communities. Then, the optimism in social media was evident as the denial in the human psyche was the best defense mechanism available to deal with the unknown. Now, the social media has become an obituary page.

The reassuring authorities and governments are now sounding less credible in their motivational pitch as the numbers don’t lie anymore. The rhetorical consolation may just come from their rationalization that deaths are controlled and relatively low and that our country is in a better situation, or less doomed, than the others. Both are not valid reasons for a celebration or even close to what can be regarded as victory.

Quarantine again

WITH the many acronyms and labels for our quarantine classifications, the public is as confused as the officials who will execute them. Expect a more restless and assertive public dealing with more vigilant and aggressive authorities. Many will need to find any and all means to survive, not excluding doing crimes.

While many are expected to lose their jobs and livelihood, a greater number are in anticipation of and deserve to receive the “ayuda,” which government is duty-bound to provide, and which politicians are poised to take advantage of. The work-fromhome has been engaged again in the unhealthy interpersonal dynamics within limited physical space—taking a toll on the mental health of the vulnerable. The strain is not only financial and health but is affecting us in the most holistic manner.

But the greater question is, how are we going to benefit from another strict quarantine that didn’t work in the past when the situation seemed more favorable than it is today?

With the multi-billion impacts to the economy and with the more threatening prognosis to our health system, what is the game plan to win against an enemy that has continuously insulted our performance? Are we repeating the same strategy that worked, or another mistake whose lessons we never learned?

Two sources of our blessings

THE two sources of our blessing could be the vaccines and the learning experiences of our health care team. Rolled into one, this is science. The modern science can only rely on the evidences of its processes, which takes time to generate outcomes. Vaccines, regardless of the brand, offer the promise of efficacy, with the usual uncertainty of its effectiveness against the continuously mutating virus and with threats of side effects that could be harmful for some unlucky individuals. But in the context of global benefit, the vaccine remains to be the best bet of society to end this pandemic. Simply put, once vaccinated, one may still have the disease, but with less likelihood to die.

The health care system and our professionals must have learned enough lessons to provide for more effective and efficient management and care for the Covid-19 patients. They are also more able to protect themselves against it. There is hope in the evidence-based practice that integrates the clinical expertise and the research findings to what gives the best value for the patients under their care.

The two sources of our curse

THE two sources of our curse could be a government that cannot influence its people enough to make them do what needs to be done, and the governance that is anchored on selfish motives, which do more harm than good. Rolled in one, it is called politics. Leadership is what is needed in the most trying times of human history. With a leadership that divides, instead of unite, and a followership that is based on fear, instead of an inspired action for change, there is no collective direction towards meaningful vision to end this. The election fever with a motive for winning, not serving, divides the force of the most influential leaders who are busy in the tug-of-war of their political agenda.

The biggest, bigger and big losers

THE biggest losers are the fallen victims and the grieving families they left behind.

The bigger losers are the enterprises and the entrepreneurs who bled profusely and whose survival is threatened anew. Many of the entrepreneurs are already in deep debts in their efforts to make their enterprises and people survive. Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Engineer Nina Mangio predicts that the ECQ will cause huge economic losses and a turmoil resulting from the sharp drop in demands and revenue. According to Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Chairman Dr. Bing Limjoco, our recovery was ready to take off but this ECQ will hold it again. Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) President Rose Ong metaphorically likens ECQ to navigating with a flat tire to the uncertain through curves and loops but with silver lining derived from our hope as the usual spare tire available for the entrepreneurs.

Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) Chairman Rich Sanz considers the ECQ as a bitter but necessary pill for business to swallow, considering that many businesses are dependent on foot traffic. He noted that based on the past ECQ experience, takeaways and online deliveries do not deliver enough volume to keep stores afloat. He is, however, optimistic that the ECQ will be effective to suppress the surge and will not extend beyond two weeks. Richie Cuna who is behind Kurimi, a brand that grew during the pandemic, considers the ECQ as another setback and resetting of the proven and tested strategies.

But entrepreneurs are always on the optimistic side. Just like the Father of Philippine Franchising who regards the ECQ as a timely intervention to slow down the virus transmission for us to enjoy the benefit of the Christmas Season.

We may think that the economic elites and the middle class have little reason to be alarmed but everyone is a loser in this ECQ. The only chance to achieve victory is to ensure our safety and that of our families and loved ones. Productivity at all levels is hampered. But it should be okay. In fact, it is okay if all we do and achieve in this ECQ is just survive. After all, what can be more precious than our lives?