Perhaps we can be happy over the fact that while the number of CoViD-positive cases continues to rise in many parts of the country, ours in Negros Oriental has remained at four confirmed cases for the past two weeks (with two deaths and two admitted in the hospital).
Some may say that a stagnant CoViD-positive figure is a result of the lack of testing kits, not to mention their unreliability. But isn’t this the same situation everywhere else, and yet their figures continue to rise.
Probably, the Enhanced Community Quarantine must truly be working. Our local government units are implementing the Stay-at-Home orders to a very unpopular point, but that’s probably how it should be done.
Nobody wants to be forced to stay home, not when the allure of the beaches or the cool mountain breeze are so tempting in these hot summer days.
Or perhaps, it’s too early to rejoice over these figures. Are we still expecting more, or have we seen the worst?
Let’s not worry too much about the national figures. We should be ahead of the virus by focusing on our own situation in Negros Oriental. As one lawmaker has suggested, we must learn to anticipate where the virus could go next, stop it from getting there, and push it back with containment and isolation measures.
Barangays with no cases must be protected to the max, and restrict the movement of people as much as possible. Relief goods should include soap and other personal hygiene items, if we have to ensure that the people will continue to vigorously wash their hands and bodies more often.
There’s talk now that if the situation remains the same by next week, Negros Oriental could go from ECQ to Community Quarantine, which will be a more relaxed quarantine version.
Staying at home against our wishes is probably worse than having to swallow one bitter pill. But we have to do it because it is the only solution we have at the moment.