The latest report I heard was that a total of 13 million has been vaccinated against the COVID in the Philippines. Now what percentage is that of our total population? That means our Health Department should still step up and provide vaccinations to no less than about ten million more. Will it be able to reach all of those unvaccinated ones before matters get worse, or, please Lord, the virus disappears, not only from our country, but all over the world?
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But it is good to know that more and more people are now submitting to inoculations, because having more unvaccinated ones around could mean that the virus will not be controlled or driven away as soon as we all wish. What I am worried about are those citizens of ours living in the hinterlands who may not be reached by any vaccination teams, or who may refuse to be inoculated for superstitious reasons. Perhaps a plan to gather barangay leaders to brief them on how to convince their constituents to submit to it should be adopted. And the sooner, the better!
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That is very important because this latest variant, known as the Delta, is said to be a very speedy “spreader”, and if no cautionary measures are taken against it, more and more could be victimized by it. And let us not get the idea that those insisting on this are paranoid. Do you know that the president of France has ordered that vaccinations should be mandatory? I don’t know what are the penalties for non-compliance, but I wouldn’t be surprised if those trying to escape it are told, “This is for your own good!”
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Yesterday’s headline of this paper declared: “Bacolod administers 78,361 Covid vaccines”. That is something to be glad about, but what is the total population of our city, by the way? That might show that we may not even have reached the number that could warrant what they call “herd immunity”. So if you have friends, neighbors or co-workers who have not yet submitted to vaccination, and are proud of it, put the fear of God in them telling them they are threats to the human race!
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And, as if the COVID threat were not enough in providing worries, anxieties and miseries to mankind nowadays, here come the oil companies announcing hikes in the prices of gasoline, diesel and, I suppose, even kerosene! If people are getting cranky or ornery these days, who can blame them? More and more, the problems are cropping up, and solutions are not being found fast enough! Sometimes one wonders if it would not be worthwhile to consider Richard Branson’s offer to go with him to the moon!
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I think it is a good move on the part of the Education sector to ensure that teachers will be vaccinated before classes start, expectedly in August. More than the students, the teacher can not only be a good example, but also should not be a carrier of the virus. And will there also be required inoculations for students when classes start? I hope so, but there should be assurance first that the student to be submitted to it in school has not already been vaccinated yet.
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My heart skipped a beat when the news on TV said there were three areas considered “high risks” for COVID. It turned out that these were Aklan, Bohol and Iloilo. Now those areas are not far from our provinces and cities, and we have many things in common, especially relatives and fellow workers. Let us pray for them to be relieved of the scourge soon, which could also mean safety for us. By the way, how fast and how effective is the government drive for vaccinations these days? That could mean, that is, assure us that we may see the last of this virus and its variants soon.
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On the lighter (?) side of the news, I hear that Manny Pacquiao is having a match with another well-known boxer, Spence, next month, that is, August. Sorry, I forgot the first name of Spence, but I thought Manny was preparing for the presidency? Oh, maybe the purse from this fight will finance his campaign, and I’m sure it is going to be a big one, for him to agree to fight after such a long hiatus. I guess this is one fight of his I will miss seeing – in person, that is – but I will certainly be praying and cheering for him. He brings pride to our country, you know. Let’s root for him!*
