OHIO, USA — I am travelling throughout many eastern states now, and one would find it difficult to see evidence of a pandemic. Here in Ohio, to see someone wearing a facemask is very rare.
It has been reported that over 60 percent of Americans do not favor a return of any kind of lockdown. Many refer to it as CoViD-fatigue.
In fact, the pandemic has produced some strange results. Some governors who backed the strict lockdowns are now fighting for their political life, with election slated for next year. Many are running for re-election but are trailing in the polls, some by double digit numbers.
Singapore reports that it now considers CoViD-19 as a seasonal flu. They will stop counting cases. People want to get back to a normal life.
I also believe that a majority of the Filipinos desire the same. I agree. Stop counting cases; anyway, many people may have been infected with CoViD, did not develop symptoms, and were never counted in the list.
Thus, we will never know the total number of cases. Sure, people are dying, but more are actually dying from other medical issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. If more money would be spent on these medical conditions, many more lives could be saved.
Since we will never know exactly how many people have been infected with CoViD, let’s look at total deaths versus total population.
The Philippines has about 110 million people. With about 25,000 deaths from the virus, the death rate is about .023 percent of total population. On July 5, the Philippines had 43 CoViD-related deaths.
In comparison, the United States has a population of 330 million. With almost 600,000 coronavirus deaths, we have a death rate of approximately .2 percent. On July 5, the US recorded 41 coronavirus-related deaths.
Why compare? Most states in the U.S. have removed virus- related restrictions. Businesses are returning to normal. Also in comparison, 80 percent of the coronavirus deaths are related to the overweight and obese population.
In contrast, the Philippine death rate is lower. I believe this can be attributed to the fact that most of the poor in the country are not overweight nor obese.
Yes, we have those issues but mostly among the middle and upper class. If the Philippines had the same death rate as the U. S., the total deaths would be 220,000, much greater than the 25,000.
But who suffers in the Philippines? Well, it’s mostly the poor. I just recently saw pictures in Dumaguete where roadside vendors were being chased away from selling their wares.
Why? When many don’t have jobs, and would have nothing to eat. They are suffering from these constant changes in the lockdowns.
Yes, I understand that our medical doctors and government officials want even the strictest of restrictions. Good for them, they continue to collect their salaries. Maybe they can give up part of their incomes to help others? But no.
Helping others would be the Christian thing to do. It is the poor who have suffered the most during this pandemic. Their children are prevented from going to school thus, falling further behind in advancement.
Don’t tell me the present system is working.
“Ang virus wala’y utok.” I came across this quote by Gov. Roel Degamo (June 19): “Kita mga tawo, kita naa’y utok. So having a virus is a personal choice. Kung gamiton ang utok, dili gayud ta matakdan sa virus.”
This quote can be applied to aspects of our lives. We have a brain, and we have personal choices. What we do with our choices can greatly impact our life.
Just having a brain does not make us smart. The book of Proverbs tells us to turn our ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.
Most people understand that bad food choices can harm us, that lack of exercise can also do harm, but many refuse to accept understanding.
If we correctly use our brains, we not only avoid contracting medical issues but maybe also the coronavirus.
Health is wealth. Gain knowledge. The coronavirus is a choice.
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Author’s email: [email protected]
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