Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on email
Email

What the ill wind may bring

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on email
Email
Twinkling with Ninfa R. Leonardia

Call me senile, or, in the more descriptive term “ulianin”, but I don’t mind because I do keep repeating my favorite saying that “It’s an ill wind that blows no good”. And what is the wind this time? Of course we know that it is this vicious Coronavirus, a.k.a. COVID, that has seemed to put countries and development on a standstill for more than a year now. After the virus woke up in Wuhan and travelled to various countries throughout the world, there seemed no stopping it.

***

But with the introduction of vaccines, and not only one, but several kinds, and its adoption by so many  countries, it looks as if the COVID has met its match, and there is great hope that it will soon go the way of epidemics and pandemics in the past, like smallpox, chickenpox and even the once cause of long-suffering and infections, that seemed to be a lingering death sentences to its victims. I am talking about tuberculosis, that used to be so fearful, its victims were avoided like the lepers of olden days!

***

Today, we hardly hear of tuberculosis anymore with the introduction of antibiotics, made to virtually annihilate it, especially in cities and more advanced towns. And there is now even a vaccine to prevent it. Science has really marched proudly on, but it still gets surprised by some new virus, like this COVID. But we have high hopes that, with the introduction of a vaccine against it, COVID may soon be relegated to the medical books. But, if they say that Science marches on,  so do the viruses and the ailments they bring, so science still has a lot of marching to do!

***

But if I keep repeating the saying about ill winds, it is because I felt that the ill wind brought by this COVID virus, has led to the approval by no less than the President  of the Philippines, and the Philippine Senate of the proposal of our city officials for the establishment of a hospital to be known as the Bacolod City Hospital. This is something that our city, advanced as it may be in so many aspects, still needs very badly. Our city has now such a large population, and it cannot hang on to the hospital of the Province to accommodate its patients.

***

As I write this, news flashed on TV that China will now allow couples there to have three children. For how many decades have they been limiting their birthrate? It is only now that they have realized the advantage of more children. Was it the work of the COVID? Remember  that started in a Chinese city called Wuhan. And so they must have suffered more casualties from it, which changed the minds of their leaders. Or could it be because some of them were converted to Christianity? Christians, Catholics, especially, do not limit their offspring, they rely on the Lord to help raise them. I speak as a member of a family of nine kids, and only three of us are left now.

***

Seems there is no stopping the sports spirit of athletes. More and more athletes are arriving in Tokyo, ostensibly to compete in the Olympics, but it seems that Tokyo is not wholeheartedly into the idea. But what will it do with the foreign athletes who have already shown up there, all raring to compete in the greatest sportsfest of the world? I hope they will concede and hold the games, anyway, COVID or no COVID. Anyway, I am sure that all those who have arrived, or are coming, had made sure that they were vaccinated before leaving their countries.

***

The latest news I heard was that about 50 percent of American adults have already undergone vaccination. Earlier, younger people were not considered for the vaccines, but, lately, teenagers are being approved for it already. I thought that the younger one is, the more effective the vaccine. I hope , though, that more and more of our people will agree to be vaccinated. Last I heard, some had to be bribed with prizes like foodstuff and vegetables before they agree!

***

Tarzan has died! News about a plane crash near the city of Nashville, Tennessee, reported yesterday that the latest actor to play Tarzan, whose real name was Joe Lara, is believed to be among seven passengers of a private plane together with his wife. It has not even been a year yet since another popular athlete also died in a plane crash. Remember Kobe Bryant? Oh, he was my idol on the court, and I really grieved for him. This Tarzan I do not even know, but all the same, it is very sad to hear about talented people’s lives cut off so early.*

ARCHIVES

Read Article by date

March 2024
MTWTFSS
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

Get your copy of the Visayan Daily Star everyday!

Avail of the FREE 30-day trial.