Not among the 1%
A few days before Good Friday, barangay workers went around the neighborhood to ask senior citizens if they were willing to receive a vaccine against Covid-19. The joy I felt from this development overstates the event’s importance. I shall keep it anyway.
The workers were careful not to create any false expectations or hopes. No, they could not say when a vaccine might be given to the community’s seniors. They could not say what brands would be delivered. But the mere possibility that a vaccine might be available— even if no one could say how soon— was enough. The optimism and joy lasted well past Easter. I even considered buying a planner for the first time since 2020 began.
What happened was probably Step 2 of a nine-step implementation process that the Department of Health (DOH) outlined as part of its national vaccination plan. Local governments had been given until March 31 to complete master lists of the first two priority groups, which include frontline health workers, contact tracers, senior citizens and enlisted personnel. All that data would then go into an electronic immunization registry.
As of last Tuesday, April 6, a total of 922,898 persons in the Philippines have received
measures in the city effective midnight of April 12, Monday, until 11:59 p.m. of April 18, Sunday.
Under the said measure, all barangays, through the supervision of Philippine National Police are mandayed to set-up control points in their area to limit the movement of people.
Non-residents of the city are also required to present an RT-PCR test with negative result or valid company ID or certificate of employment prior to their entry in the city.
The city government also launched a program dubbed as "Kapitbahay Ko, Bantay Ko" wherein residents are encouraged to monitor the movement of their neighbors as boost to the home quarantine protocol.
Governor Dennis Pineda's Executive Order No. 05 is which included curfew hours from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. as well as liquor ban is also strictly implemented in the city.
Meanwhile, all mass gatherings such as but not limited to sporting events, concerts, cinema screenins, parties and celebration are banned while weddings conducted at the City Mayor's Office or Judge's Sala is limited to five persons who must also present negative swab test taken at least 72 hours prior.
Also, only essential stores including banks and financial institutions, supermarket, pharmacies, agriculture and poultry supplies, water refilling stations, convenience stores, laundry shops, clinics, laboratories, auto shops, fuel and LPG refilling stations and hardware stores are only to operate during the effectivity of the order.
Dining-in on any restaurant is also strictly prohibited as food establishments are only allowed to operate through take-out and delivery options.
All public markets including the New Public Market, Old Public Market, Sindalan Market, Bulaon and Northville Market are only operating from 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Funerals and burials can be held for maximum of two days and only immediate family members are allowed to attend. Funeral processions are banned.
As of Sunday, the city reported a total of 2,767 confirmed cases of Covid-19. On the said day alone, 60 new cases were logged, bringing the total number of active cases to 612.