Isn’t it a puzzle to everyone that oxygen, that we have always taken for granted to be available in the very air we breath, could suddenly become inaccessible to some hospitals, especially in India and other countries? Of course it is not a medicine, but note that in this day and age, any patient brought to a hospital is, almost all the time, administered oxygen immediately. But lately, reports have been coming out about hospitals short of its supply. So what are the possible treatments that could take its place?
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Recently I saw on TV a scene from a hospital in Manila where a young girl who was watching over her mother who seemed unconscious, was fanning her face with her bare hand. I think they were in the free ward, or were newly admitted, but it was heartbreaking to see that not even an electric fan was available. That was taken in a hospital in Manila., how about those in the provinces and towns? Where some do not have hospitals but only clinics? I hope this administration will prioritize the setting up of hospitals that will be within reach of everyone, as in the farthest towns and cities, so help will be available to all our people.
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The oxygen lack is affecting India worst because of the rapidly increasing number of COVID cases there. Reports say the number of fatalities from it reach no less than 1,000 daily. Is that the heaviest toll worldwide, or are there other countries with similar statistics? India is into its second wave of the virus, but dealing with it seems to be more difficult than the earlier one. Let us all hope and pray that our country’s vaccination drive will be pursued and reach all sectors as soon as possible, because it appears that those vaccines actually do their work.
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I felt sad to hear that several of our policemen have also been stricken by the COVID. I guess this is because the demands of their job require them to deal with all kinds of people and, who knows which of them are carriers who can contaminate another at the least exposure or meeting? I have noticed that some people have already been discarding their masks. Perhaps that is because they have been vaccinated, and feel themselves immune to infection. Is that a fact? I hope our medics will clarify this. Also, have you heard that there have been discoveries of fake vaccines in the market? So, be sure and Be Assured!
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President Duterte himself has been reported to have undergone vaccination, and I think that was a good example. Leaders should lead by example, you know, and when they see their leaders going through it, they will lose their fears and hesitations. Follow the leader, you know. It may be clichaic to quote this over and over, but by undergoing vaccination, the saying that applies is “The life you save may be your own”. Ahem, I am saying this when I have not undergone it yet, but already scheduled for today or tomorrow and I am already bracing myself for it.
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I sympathize with out Police Department. Several member have been reported to have tested positive for the virus. But I know that they realize the risks are a great part of their job, so I hope that the rest of the force will be subjected to vaccinations soon so we can be assured that they are “covered”. Our cops are responsible for keeping our place safe and maintaining peace and order, so we should also look out for their well-being. I understand they already have been scheduled for inoculations, and let’s hope it will be soon.
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Ironically, it seems people in India seem to resent the fact and are disappointed in the vaccination drive going on. Well, maybe not in all the states but I saw this bit via TV saying that some resent the fact that a lot of the vaccines produced there are being sent off to other countries. I hope it is not due to commercialism, but we cannot blame manufacturers of such vaccines for sharing them with other countries, like Russia and the United States. I also heard, though, that the Philippines is also getting some vaccine from there.
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Let us make “Love your neighbor” and “Share and Share alike” our slogans for these pandemic days. And in those sayings, which have been quoted since time immemorial still run true today. So while we pray for ourselves and our loved ones include also those scientists and medical people burning their midnight oils while trying to discover a sure cure that will stop this rampaging virus in its tracks. “For more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of”.*
