As if we didn’t have problems and worries enough in these days, here comes news that oil prices will be rising soon, possibly within this week. One wonders how come their prices are going up when people do not seem to be traveling much and using as many gallons of the stuff these days. Is that a common market development? With less workers doing their usual work from home, it does not seem likely that we are using or needing more than we used to.
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But I guess that is the rule in the market? That the less consumption, the higher the price? That sounds rather unfair, because for instance, in my own case, where I used to go out everyday for my job, now all my stuff is done from my “isolation quarters”, and if it were not for the TV and hand-me down reports from my concerned friends, I would lack for matters to write about. It is only the DAILY STAR that keeps me in touch, and even friends I have not met or talked to for a long time have been so generous as to contact me now and then.
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I really appreciate and thank Freddie Sia for his thoughtfulness. Imagine, I had been getting some goodies, fruits especially, from what I thought was an “anonymous” source only to find out yesterday that he was the out-of-season Santa Claus who had been remembering me! Thanks all over again, Freddie and Mariane! May God bless you both and your family! Let us all pray together for the conquest of this virus that had come upon us without warning. But let us also be grateful for the arrival of the vaccine that has somehow reduced the number of cases worldwide.
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But whoever invented the idea of Community Pantry should be presented an award equivalent to the Oscars of Hollywood! It surely has opened the hearts of people and roused the generosity in their heart of hearts. Recently, I heard that they are not only making foodstuff available, but also vitamins and medicines as well. This should be a cue for pharmacies and drugstore to do their stuff, too. They may have on stock medicines, especially vitamins for both children and adults that may expire soon, so why not give them away to the needy who cannot afford to buy them? Let generosity be more contagious than the COVID!
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Meanwhile, let us also remember India in our prayers. It is probably one of the hardest hit by COVID. It has reportedly 38 percent of all COVID cases worldwide. I haven’t seen statistics published on our country’s cases, but I believe we have less than that, with our people, especially in our city, more compliant with protocols regarding vaccinations and treatments. Let us keep on with the same attitude, and probably, our prayers for salvation will be heard. Meanwhile, I heard a report saying that newborn babies can be vaccinated. Is it true? I hope our doctors will advise their patients about this.
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A news item last week noted that shellfish in Puerto Princesa have been found to be contaminated ( I am not sure if that is the right word), but if it is true, such contamination may also reach our waters, so let us be careful about what we eat, too. Of course it is farfetched to think that shellfish from Puerto Princesa reach our own shores, but the sea is wide and its waters hit every shore, so let us be more prudent about the seafood we consume. A silly thought: Can sea creatures also get COVID?
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Another reason to be cautious about: reports say that seven areas in the country have been hit with the Red Tide. I do not really know what damage that can do to our sea food, and I hope our scientists and medical people will come out and tell us what that means, and what precautions to take. Has anybody made a count of the calamities we have gone through in the past few years? Even in the days of the Old Testament, there had also been calamities that Godsent so the people would mend their ways. Is the COVID the equivalent for our times?
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Why did they call it Sputnik? I am referring to the vaccine for this COVID that is being administered now. I guess someone thought it was appropriate because the Sputnik was a revolutionary invention that was able to roam in outer space. Whatever. As they say, “A rose by any name would smell as sweet”, So any discovery of a cure would be Godsent to the people of this generation frozen in fear by the COVID. But I believe the best remedy for it is still prayer, with, of course, the observance of protocols.*
