Public health emergency

ALL PRECAUTIONS are being taken to stop the spread of COVID 19, now considered a pandemic by the World Health Organization early this week. The city has issued Guideline No. 8 last night regarding travel of Davaoenos which at the outset was declared “not on lockdown.” The three items are: 1) All Davaoenos are prohibited from going out of Davao, 2) all short term visitors are advised to leave Davao City immediately; 3) All travelers to Davao City are requested to postpone the visit until after the State of Public Health Emergency is lifted.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines lockdown as “a situation in which people are not allowed to enter or leave a building or area freely because of an emergency.” Whatever it’s called, government is keen on imposing limited movement and mass gathering to prevent the spread of the virus. In a radio interview, the mayor stressed that unnecessary travel should be avoided because the aim is to have no COVID 19 case in the city.

She said people should take this virus seriously as there will be many deaths if the virus cannot be contained. The city’s health facility could not possibly respond to the medical needs of victims should there be cases reported.

Last night, vendors at the Roxas Night Market dismantled their food stalls after another set of guidelines was released yesterday. Classes are suspended, parks and playgrounds, and even work is on skeletal mode or flexible work arrangement so that ‘social distancing’ can be possible.

The world has not seen this massive widespread of a virus already affecting more than a hundred countries. As scientists scramble to look for a cure, we should take it upon ourselves to care for our own health.