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Don’t forget the second!

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Twinkling with Ninfa R. Leonardia

Murder! That is what is being threatened against violators of health protocols in this country. And I understand that it is no less than the President who has made the threat. Although many would think it is an overkill, who can dispute that if you have been infected, and you are careless enough to infect others, subjecting them to the possibility of dying because of it, wouldn’t your act be as murderous as if you have, indeed, shot or stabbed them to death?

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That gives us all more reason to avoid contact with people we do not know, or even those familiar or close to us, who may be infected, because this disease is in no way to be taken for granted like the ordinary childhood ailments or the now controllable flu. Let us not be complacent, remember that even the biggest and wealthiest countries have not been able to prevent it from affecting their citizens. This is an extraordinarily vicious disease, and if our country has not been hit as badly as others, it could only be due to our prayerfulness, and dependence on the protection of our Lord, His heavenly Father and Blessed Mother.

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If you feel that things have been easing up lately, please don’t be complacent. Many, many more cases are being reported, and while, earlier, it was believed that only the elderly were susceptible, lately we have reports even of adolescents being affected. So, please, observe the protocols, because that is what is most likely to protect you and your loved ones. Maybe the time will come when science and medicine will find a sure cure for it, but, so far, it hasn’t seem to come yet. Be hopeful in the thought that other serious maladies had been conquered before, but apparently the time of COVID hasn’t come yet.

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By the way, listen to our President when he calls out to those who have undergone the first doses of the vaccine against the COVID, to make sure and get their second dose. One really needs both to be assured of protection, and if you neglect the second, maybe you have forgotten about getting the first. Like it says in the old saying “It takes two to tango”, and, as for the vaccine, it takes two to help you! Don’t take chances, not only for yourself, but for your loved ones and all others around you as well. An ailment that has evolved into pandemic proportions is nothing to brush off like a childhood fever.

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I admire President Duterte for his seriousness over this COVID problem. Of course  no one, not any leader could ignore it, having gone into pandemic proportions already. President Duterte’s latest order to the Health Department is to find those who had taken the first dose of the vaccine, and did not return for the second. Maybe they believed one dose would do the trick? Oh, don’t look at me, I did get my second dose on Monday, and so did the rest of my folks. To those who have neglected to return for their second, you won’t have anyone to blame if Mr. COVID catches up with you!

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Have you noticed that in interviews at CNN, the principals really observe social distancing? That is one very simple precaution, but I believe a very effective one, too. So, even if social gatherings are apparently no longer strictly taboo, getting close to people is still a big “NO. NO!” So you may have social distancing at your birthday party, but no dancing-dancing. Okay? If you really want to dance, stick to folk-dancing only. You will be safer that way! And, oh yes, even if you have been vaccinated fully, the latest advice is still to keep using that mask as well as the shield.

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Yesterday, the headline of this paper quoted the Health Department as citing both Bacolod and Iloilo cities as “high risk” areas for COVID. Now that is fair warning for all of us in those two cities to be on guard. If it can be avoided at all, try not to get out of your home, unless for really urgent matters. And if you really have to, make sure you are observing the required protection, i.e. the mask and shield. We still are a long way from the conquest of this virus, let us never underestimate its viciousness.

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I have noticed that former U.S. President Barack Obama has been featured quite often in the news, especially CNN, lately. What does it mean? Is there a more to put him back in office? Well, why not? He seemed to have done very well and, if the choice would be between him and Donald Trump, who do you think will the Americans pick? Obama has been tried and tested and who do you think fared better? They were not my presidents, but if they were, I would have  chosen the smiling Obama over the scowling Trump anytime. But we  cannot tell what the American voters think, and, anyway, this is only speculation. Who knows what the American voters think?  If they make the wrong choice, we can always twit them the old saying, “They’ve made their bed, let them lie in it”.*

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