Quarantined or jailed?

Temporary.

As of this writing, things don’t seem to be going so well in the government facility put up in Barangay Apas, Cebu City, to quarantine Overseas Filipino Workers considered at risk of having been exposed to COVID-19.

According to an OFW from Taiwan who was taken to the facility after his arrival here, they had no water, the beds were not comfortable, the beddings smelly, the bathrooms were clogged, and food came late, among others.

He said it resembled more of a jail than a quarantine facility.

There is help on the way, at least for some of the people currently being quarantined in the facility. Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that at least nine of those under quarantine can be moved to another facility in the province. They are also making arrangements for those from Mindanao to be flown back to their home provinces.

This will take off some of the pressure.

However, there will still be those left behind.

This is something that the government must look into quickly. Being under quarantine is no joke. A patient already suffering from anxiety because of what he or she might have will only suffer more if the amenities are below what can be considered decent standards for humans. And considering the observation period is two weeks, nerves can get frayed and health can suffer over that period.

Yes, we know it’s not a hotel. However, the basic needs must be attended to, like water and food. Sleep is also a basic need, and when your bed and beddings don’t agree with you, your health will suffer. Again, two weeks.

COVID-19 is barely slowing down. We never know if there may be more people who need to be quarantined, and so far only this facility seems to be operational in the city. It should at least be decent enough for humans to live in, even if it is only