They’ve done it! Russia is now bragging about their vaccine against the coronavirus that they claim to have proven 91.4 percent effective. My, that is an admirable passing grade in schools, and for its results against the raging COVID pandemic, the inventors will go down in history for this accomplishment. There have been others mentioned before, but this one sounds like the real thing, and it will be of great benefit to all mankind if it does work as touted.
***
I am sure more vaccines will crop up later with so many scientists and medical experts working on it. But Russia must be the first to have accomplished such a high degree of efficacy. Imagine, 94.1 percent! I am sure it won’t be long before a 100 percent success is achieved. But I hope the distribution and accessibility will be faster, so more people worldwide can be saved. The virus China gave the world had caused so many deaths and illnesses already. By the way, we never hear about the statistics from China about their own cases. But maybe it is because I rely only on CNN and local TV for my news source.
***
By the way, Russia really has a gift for nomenclature. They have named their vaccine “Sputnik”. Remember that mission to the moon also named Sputnik? In the Philippines, hundreds maybe thousands of Pinoys immediately named their pet dogs “Sputnik” too. But, as the old saying goes, “A rose by any name would smell as sweet”, a vaccine by any name will be welcomed, no matter what it is called. Me, I had this silly hope that a Filipino would be the one to discover and produce the vaccine, but no matter, whoever accomplishes it, will be admired and we hope will share it with the rest of the world soon.
***
What about holiday travelers? This Thanksgiving Day, I am sure no restrictions will prevent Americans and some other countries to skip their traveling practices to celebrate it. Warnings have been sent out, but it does not seem as if the people will heed them. What would they be giving thanks for? At least for still being around and in good health, despite the COVID scourge! Let us pray and hope that the numbers do not double or treble after the day.
***
In the meantime, have you noticed how masks have become a fashion statement? Look around you and you will see them in various colors, prints and designs. Some ladies I see make sure that their masks match their outfits, and who can blame them? The world is too glum already, as it is, and any effort to brighten it up should be welcome. But I went to a clinic yesterday for some tests and was warned that we should wear the prescribed ones. How killjoy naman.
***
Have you heard American president-elect Jose Biden declare that “America is Back”? Why, where has it been? Does he mean that the outgoing president Donald Trump had brought it somewhere? I guess Biden was coining his own figure of speech, but it must be good for everyone to hear – except for Donald Trump, of course. Well these are Biden’s days of glory, but wait when his own term ends, and especially if he is beaten by a newcomer, and let us see what sayings he will coin.
***
The bad news is that oil prices are due for a hike again and what a killjoy those oil-producing countries are. In these days when people are suffering from a pandemic, are losing jobs, and being faced with so many problems, they do not need a hike in oil prices to further increase their woes. This is supposed to be the biggest hike since the COVID struck, and it has not been conquered yet. Surely people are using less oil as they quarantine themselves and heed the orders to “Stay Home and Stay Safe”?
***
Less than a month remains before Christmas, and in Manila, the worst nightmare for its mayor are the uncontrollable crowds of shoppers who are throwing all precautions against COVID infection to the winds by rushing to the markets, especially Divisoria and Central Market, for their holiday shopping. I guess we will also see that in our towns and cities soon. By the way, I know of some families here in Bacolod who have adopted shopping online and they swear to its advantages. But probably that is because they live in subdivisions where anti-COVID precautions are strict. But that is something for housewives to think about. It could ensure a merrier Christmas, with nobody sick in the family.*
