There oughtta be a law! That was the title of a comic strip that used to appear in some daily newspapers years ago. What I believe we should have is a law that would hasten its decisions on cases brought to them is the Commission on Audit after a news report announced that it had cleared officials of a case that had been pending with it for eight long years! Can you imagine the anxiety and the sleepless nights of those involved, knowing that they are not guilty, but because false charges filed by their political opponents have kept them worrying all those years?
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There have even been reports about government workers who, because of jealousy or rivalries in office, had been charged unjustly and had died before the decision clearing them came out. What heartbreak that must have brought to their families, who had seen them suffer while awaiting judgement, but did not live to see themselves acquitted. For that matter, the same could also be said about court cases that often last for years because of legal maneuvers, such as absences and postponements. I have heard of cases involving people living outside Bacolod, for instance, where both respondents and accusers live out of town, who travel to Bacolod for scheduled hearings, only to be told that a postponement has been granted!
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How can we avoid thinking and talking about the coronavirus scourge that our generation is suffering from now? It seems that despite the long period that is had been raging, no cure or vaccine has yet been perfected and introduced so far. And that, with all the medical experts, scientists and laboratories producing medicines working day and night to find something to counter its transmission and effects. As for the claims before that mostly elderly people are victimized, recently news have come out about teenagers and younger kids also infected. How will that affect the school openings?
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At first there was talk – I don’t know where it started – that exposing oneself to sunlight could help prevent infection, and even stop the virus from doing its worst. But that has been belied by medical experts who said there has been no proof that it is true. I wonder, though, why our local medics have not tried experimenting with herbals, like the “lagundi” and “tawa-tawa” that our old folks used to swear by. Has anybody in our city ever tried them? I hope those who have will share what they experienced with others.
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But while practically the whole world is struggling in its battle against the coronavirus, Wuhan, where it all started, is now a happy city, with celebrations everywhere and with no paranoia noted among its citizens. Officials are bragging that theirs is probably one of, or the only city in the world where people don’t have to wear masks and can go about freely. Do they mean that this is because they have transmitted the virus to other countries successfully? It does seem as if China has developed a vaccine as well as a cure, but is not sharing it with the world.
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Now, even in our own city, you hardly recognize your friends and kin, covered as they are with masks and shields, and also keeping a safe distance from you! And I hope there are no bad feelings when friends try to stay away from you, since we are all focused on life and health preservations. Worse, the COVID is so easily transmissible that those who ignore precautions may be sorry, as they may not be the only victim, but their loved ones could catch it from them, too. So let us all be mindful of all advice about distancing and staying home as much as possible because no sure-fire medicine has yet been discovered for this virus from China.
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Well, epidemics and transmissible diseases have plagued the world ever since the time when Jesus Christ walked on earth. Remember that story where lepers had to be announced when they walked on earth. Remember that story in the Bible where lepers had to be announced when they walk down the streets to prevent them from infecting others? One of teose stories was about lepers who had to announce, or have someone to do it, when they are coming “Unclean! Unclean!” I suppose the time will never come when COVID patients will have to wear wide scapulars declaring “COVID VICTIM, STAY AWAY”! Meanwhile, the worldwide COVID records are changing, where before it was Brazil that had the second highest number of victims, now it is India that has dislodge it from that rank.
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By the way, this is now my seventh month of detention, a.k.a. quarantine and WFH, or Working From Home, but I am glad our staff are all so cooperative and protective of each other. And thanks to computers and other gadgets, transmission of our articles are easier and safer. I will not be surprised if, after all this is over, many businesses and companies will decide to adopt the WFH system. For one, it would be economical – no transportation fares, no expenses for lunch and meriendas, and, for women especially, no need to dress up and make up, too.*
