Opposing vaccination views

THE world is still very much in disarray and this pandemic is far from over given the recent surge in cases, specifically an influx of delta variant infections lately. This has certainly proven to be continuously overwhelming to our economy and way of life.

We have been in this dystopian reality for almost two years now and it has had detrimental psychological effects, particularly in our medical communities, which has seen a great deal of clamor on ways to approach and contain this worsening virus.

More recently, there is an ongoing conventional narrative on the imposition of mass vaccinations, which is said to reduce death rates by strengthening immunity. While there may very well be a lot of skepticism and reluctance on such a proposition, this is the overall framework as the only plausible solution out of this mess.

People who are hesitant risk being labeled as selfish conspiracy theorists who fail to do their part in contibuting to society simply by failing to conform towards the mainstream consensus. This can pose a threat to our civil liberties in the long run if there are rigid implementations imposed.

While on the other hand, there are also many individuals eager to blindly jump on the bandwagon, willing to comply with whatever stipulations provided by the major established institutions. There is presently much division and debate between provaxxers and anti-vaxxers, which have created friction all the more.

While we are very much entitled to our personal opinions and we can respect each other's viewpoints, the gravest threat can arise once there are inescapable mandates that eventually stifle freedom.

While there is no question that the development of vaccines has its positive impacts on human progress and development, there is still much to be anxious about considering the many surrounding uncertainties on a rushed experimental product that may have very well failed to course through various trials which check long-term effects. There is good reason to be wary and critical.

Vaccine development is a testament to our capabilities, but risks of vaccine injuries do occur and must not also be downplayed even if it may be counterproductive to the general narrative. Such unfortunate events are valid concerns, which must be confronted openly and addressed head on.

Transparency is of utmost importance in such trying times and proper discernment has become truly difficult given vast extremist platforms that circulate and create more confusion. There is plenty of disinformation floating around and an objective and scientific approach is critical in addressing a crisis of this magnitude.

The meeting was in preparation of the the convening of the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) that would set price ceilings on medicines used in treating COVID-19 patients.

Board Member Ananias Canlas Jr. said the a cap on the price of medicines could be set by the LPCC and these would be pushed by a resolution from the provincial government and forwarded to the National Price Coordinating Council for approval.

Pineda wants the LPCC to set a price ceiling on corona virus treatment medicines as he received complaints that patients and their families are made to pay exorbitant prices for their medicines.

The purchase price of Remdisivir is known to fetch P3,500 per 100 mg vial. But some private hospitals allegedly charge from between P8,000 to P22,000, a PhilHealth official reported, which a Department of Health executive confirmed.

These exceed the P1,500 to P8,200 suggested retail price set in DOH Department Circular No. 2021-0291.

“We are in an emergency situation and the Delta variant is on us. This is no time to milk dry people who are infected of the virus. Your provincial government is intervening by regulating the prices and penalizing violators,” the governor said.

The National Bureau of Investigation and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group are monitoring the sales of Remdisivir and other essential medicines in the market.

The agencies have not received complaints of fake Remdisivir so far. At the request of Governor Pineda and Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, Board Member Jun Canlas pushed for the full activation of the LPCC because the body, chaired by the governor, has the mandate to set price ceilings and file criminal charges against violators of the The Price Act of 1992 (Republic Act No. 7581).

Then Magno adds: The blisters are not the only pain she endured in her storied career. Many times in the past, she felt abandoned and alone, since she had to please with our sports officials to get the financial support she was entitled to.

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The Philippine Sports Commission is the agency our Olympians go to for their allowances. Our national budget carries the stipends due our athletes. Now that Diaz has achieved the otherwise unattainable goal of getting a gold, the more must this sports commission and the officials thereof give what is due our athletes and more. They should get all the allowances due them without delay or red tape so that they need not beg as Diaz tried to do when faced with the lack of financial support.

Chess grandmaster Wesley So is the perfect example of our sports officials' neglect. He had to migrate to the US where he could get financial support. Look where he is now. He is on the top of the Chess world.