She looks more white than black, but that’s what compromise is all about, isn’t it? We are talking about Kamala Harris, the supposedly black woman picked by Joe Biden to be his running mate for the presidency in the November elections of the United States. And the fact that she is good-looking, too, is another factor that makes her a most likely first colored woman to be included in a presidential ticket. Wise ole Biden certainly made the right move, and who cares if there are some Fil-Ams who say that he is “uli-anin”, or rather senile, in our language?
***
So how can Donald Trump counter that by also picking a black person for his vice presidential mate? He still hasn’t picked one, has he? If Madame Harris wins, she, like Barack Obama, will also be the first black candidate to win the second highest position in the U.S. government. That should be a big consolation to the colored community because her victory will mean they already have captured both the presidency and the vice presidency in this generation. I wonder if there are also black bets for the senate, but for sure there will be plenty for the House of Representatives.
***
Well, that is their problem and we are not going to face the same one as our own elections are not yet forthcoming. So far, we do not hear of anybody yet who is angling for the presidency, even if the incumbent has been known to be saying he is not likely to seek reelection. But who knows? They say politics is an incurable disease and those who get infected cannot shake it off. But there is always a first time, so we still have a long time to wait and see if it is true.
***
So they have found something unhealthy in PhilHealth? My, what terrible charges may be filed against some of its officials when those alleged irregularities are proven and brought to court. Among the alleged cases against it as revealed by a whistleblower, are the grant of funds to dialysis centers owned by private companies where the supposed patients administered the procedure were already dead, with some dying of other ailments, not those requiring dialysis! Now the Philhealth official who is the focus of the probe has “called in sick” and did not appear at the hearing. If he is guilty, he must be wishing to die before he is convicted.
***
Worse, a dialysis center given some of the funds had been discovered not even registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Now it is the whistleblower who had told all during a hearing who is pleading to be given security because his revelations are so damning, they could mean heavy sentences for the culprits. And while his testimonies are not yet been on official records, anything could happen to shut his mouth! Those are desperate and powerful people he is implicating, you see.
***
First, it was only masks, which were inexpensive and therefore easily acquired by anyone. But now it is a double-defense being required, which means that aside from the mask, one must also wear a face shield as further protection. Indeed, masks cannot always do their job of protecting because some people cover only their mouths probably not knowing that their noses could be “points of entry” of the virus as well. I hope we don’t get to the day when we will all be required to wear the PPEs, or personal protective equipment and look like zombies walking down the streets.
***
It was good to hear that air travel is resuming, but I am sure airlines could be operating at losses because of the “social distancing” dictum. Will that mean that only one passenger can sit in a row of three seats? Of course their managements must be very strict about disinfecting the interiors of the aircraft, but how can one be absolutely sure that none of his or her fellow passenger had been kissed goodbye by an infected person before boarding?
***
I guess one could call such imaginative suppositions a form of paranoia, but who can help it these days? Of course I know that many are praying for the end of this pandemic, and I am sure the Good Lord will soon grant our prayers, but in the meantime, let us observe all the protective measures being advised and not be careless. My late grandmother, Margarita, used to quote the Lord as saying “Tao, andam, kay bantayan ta” which in English, would be “People, be careful and I will watch over you”. So do not challenge that, and find out the result to your sorrow.*
