Is it true that the Philippines will receive its order of vaccines against the coronavirus disease within this month? That sounds like very good news, but it seems a lot of people are dubious about their sources. For one, a report on TV said some from China have been shown to be fake. That is not unexpected, putting it mildly, but it could be the reason why a lot of our countrymen and women are adamantly against it, and may not submit to vaccination from sources they cannot trust.
***
Naturally, a patient, or a potential one, would probably take his or her chances with the local herbolario than submit to a doubtful medicine, especially those coming from areas known for faking their products. The big question is that new variants have been identified, and what “medicines” may have been developed for the earlier ones, may not work for the newest variant. So how do our medical people deal with such developments? What may have worked for the earliest variants, may not do for the latest. This is no longer a case of “Sauce for the gander, sauce for the goose”.
***
What about the Russian version? Seems reports about it are all positive and how available will it to poor countries like ours? The United States is going on mass vaccinations now and several establishments dealing with medicines and pharmaceutical products are providing space and services for those administering them. In fact, even some supermarkets are hosting areas for vaccine administration. Will our own local governments adopt that practice, too? It will certainly enable more to avail of the vaccine, and will surely control the spread of the virus.
***
Another report said that those who are aged between 20 to 49 years old are the “greatest spreaders” of the virus. Am I glad I am over or under (?) that limit! So what should the government do to protect others from those “spreaders”? It can hardly oblige them to wear scapulars announcing their ages, can they? Women, especially may opt to be arrested rather than publicize their ages! I suppose something can be devised to identify those within the danger limit, but may balk at revealing the truth!
***
I only met John Osmeña once or twice and he probably does not remember me from Eve, but I felt sad when I heard about his death the other day. Alas, our talented and honest officials have been passing away, and their breed seems to be diminishing. John O, came from a distinguished breed, the first national officials of our country after we were granted independence by the United States were Manuel Quezon as president and Sergio Osmeña as vice president. Both were truly illustrious leaders, and one could say that John O was the illustrious son of an illustrious father.
***
Bad news for both travelers and crew of the Philippines Air Lines. PAL is reportedly reducing its staff by some 2,000, that could include its pilots, stewards, stewardesses and ground crew. Will this also mean a reduction in their number of flights, both locally and abroad? Should seacrafts now start refurbishing their units, perhaps acquiring more to take care of those PAL can no longer accommodate? How sad it is to think that we are moving backward as far as transportation is concerned. I am afraid one may no longer be able to leave Bacolod for Manila in the morning and be back for dinner later. Alas, we seem to be retrogressing, transportation-wise.
***
The year 2021 has barely started but politics has already gotten into the picture with those dreaming of entering it already becoming very obvious in their ambitions. Well, this should be one very different, even strange, election, especially if Mr. COVID refuses to go away, when campaign time comes around. How can candidates hold meetings with crowds as big as before? Will they ignore social distancing? And how can candidates go on house-to-house visits when they cannot even shake hands? Ah, this will be a very different election and campaign, indeed!
***
In two days after the requirement for child seats in cars was announced, all car seats in Manila establishments immediately got sold out. I guess this was because not too many of them were on sale. But watch out in the next few days, because furniture manufacturers will be outdoing each other in producing them! Me, I hope I will be exempted, since no children ever ride with me. I hope that requirement has exemptions. Otherwise, it’s not fair!*
