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What about the Olympics?

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Twinkling with Ninfa R. Leonardia

The Lord be praised! After several weeks of anxiety  and fear over the seemingly unstoppable and progressive rise of COVID cases, not only in our country, but also worldwide, a report said  that the Emergency Operations Center has perceived a “downward trend” of COVID cases in Bacolod City. While we should all be thankful for that development, this is still no time for becoming complacent and neglecting the minimum protocols being required of us, especially the wearing of masks and shields.

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Before, I thought only our city had made mask-wearing mandatory, and after arrests were made of the non-compliant ones, I believe everyone is toeing the line. Those who refuse or violate such simple requirements that could save lives, not only their own, but of others, including their own families, really deserve to be arrested, and if we were a less civilized city, maybe detained in quarters reserved for COVID patients! Everybody should be careful not to taunt the “protocols” (nobody says “rules” anymore these days), because the repercussions could be serious.

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It was interesting to note that the Commission on Elections has been recording more than a thousand new applicants, meaning, people from other towns, cities or even provinces who have transferred to Bacolod, or – take note of this – politicians with plans to run for office in the city. They said some of the richest ones even bought houses in the city in order to claim residency. Well, everybody knows what kind of a game politics is, so that is really no surprise. And with the present state of Bacolod now, for sure any ambitious politician will not be able to resist seeing it with covetuous eyes.

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And that is probably why there have been so many new applicants at the City Comelec, who are not new voters or new homeowners such as newly married couples or returning workers from abroad. Well, elections are still far off, and we can still amuse ourselves with such humorous news reports like the possible (?) debate between Congressman Antonio Carpio and no less than President Rodrigo Duterte himself! Brave guy, this Carpio.  Who would ever think anyone would dare to challenge  a president? My own malicious thought is that, no matter what the result, Carpio will get a lot of publicity, and who knows what plans he may be hatching before election time comes along?

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Hurrah! Another new regular holiday for our country. Take note all ye students and workers, May 13 is now work-free and school-free days in honor of the Eid al-Ftir, or the Feast of Ramadan. Well, that will be a real day off for employees, but not for elementary and high school students for whom the day is already part of their summer vacation. But it can be enjoyed by college students, or even post-graduate ones, who are taking summer classes to speed up their courses. Still, it is something to be thankful for, even  for teachers and school supervisors and staff.

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Will it go on or will it be stopped or postponed? I am referring to the famous Olympic Games that have been anticipated  so much by sports lovers worldwide. Will the COVID be the reason in case it is cancelled or postponed this time? The games are supposed to be held in July, which is still more than a month away, but are preparations ongoing for it? I can just imagine the athletes practising with their faces covered with the mandatory masks. It will be a great disappointment to sports lovers, and especially to players, if it does not take place. Let’s cross our fingers on this.

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It is horrifying  to hear that even in these days of a pandemic that has been decimating world population, there are still wicked people who will take advantage of the calamity to make money by producing fake medicines. It has been reported that the medicine called Ivermectin, has fake ones in the market! I hope those who produced them will be apprehended and penalized by making them swallow a whole bottle of the fake tablets as penalty. How could such people do that to their fellowmen? Do they believe they themselves will live forever?

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I heard that Russia has produced a vaccine that can be injected in a single dose only. This is one time I wish I were in Russia, as fearful of injections as I am. I must admit though that the needles now used in injections are much thinner than those used years ago, that even cowards like me may not be able to cry “Ouch” when pierced with them. I hope others with injection-phobias will read this and dare to get vaccinated. Just a bit of pain can save you from being caught by Mr. COVID. Good luck!*

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