When it rains, it pours. That idiom was used to refer to happenings in our lives. The good interpretation was that when good things happen, they come in big numbers. On the other hand, some people interpret it in the opposite way, which is, that when misfortunes come, it comes in big numbers. These days, we can take it literally, because the past few days made it impossible for many people to go out of their homes in fear of catching that naughty virus with the fancy name of coronavirus.
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And it is not as attractive as its name, because it has made people all over the world victims, no matter what their stature in life is. Even heads of state have not been spared. It again proves the truism that all men are created equal. And that is only a figure of speech, because not only men, that is, the male sex, are being hit by it, women and even children are also hit. That is one disease that can also be referred to as an “equalizer”. Rich and poor alike have been victimized, and this virus attacks men, women and, as reported in the international media, even teenagers and children have not been spared by it.
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We should, however, be grateful that a vaccine has been produced to counter it, and our city and province have been fortunate enough to acquire supplies of this vaccine, and are now trying to induce everyone to take advantage of it. But there also reports that some people, especially the elderly seem to think of it in a negative way. That is why some of them refuse to accept it, with others even hiding or disappearing when informed that their city and province have gone to great lengths to acquire it!
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So I think we should try convincing them to undergo it, if not for their own sake, those of their families, especially the young ones, for whom the vaccine is now being made available. This virus from China took no time before reaching other countries, creating fear among citizens. But now such vaccines are being made available to everyone, and those who refuse being vaccinated will have only themselves to blame if they catch it. I hope those still hesitant to be vaccinated, should think of their family members who will also be contaminated even if only one member has been hit!
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I was shocked recently when I was told that some of our friends have been hit by this virus, but could not be admitted to hospitals that are already full of COVID patients. That is really scary, because it takes only one person in a household to infect other members. But now that vaccines are already available in both our city and province, there is no more excuse for those showing symptoms of the disease to insist on self-medication. If they are afraid to admit that they have been hit, let them think of their loved ones who could pick up the virus from them!
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The latest report I got said that Department of Health figures show that, so far, only 30 percent of our population has availed of vaccinations against the coronavirus. It is admirable of businesses and other companies to provide vaccination for their staff but is it true that some big businesses are threatening their staff to get vaccinated, and those who refuse will not be granted their privilege of a thirteenth month pay? I guess that will work with some employees, but it could cause trouble for employers. Let us hope that they can device means of convincing the unwilling ones. This COVID has already claimed so many victims, and can infect people so easily, that everyone should help in convincing the hesitant ones.
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When we quote the old saying that “When it rains, it pours”, we are usually thinking of blessings or benefits, but we should pray we never have to apply it to the number of COVID victims, not only in our own country, but also worldwide. This time, we should pray that it does not apply to infections by this new disease that had confounded our medics and scientists for a while. But recent figures seem to indicate that we are getting there, that is, appropriate treatment and medications for it have been produced. So let us give thanks for it and pray also that such treatments will be available worldwide.
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Heartless. That is a word that should apply to those people, especially businessmen from oil-producing countries that had taken it upon themselves to hike the prices of oil products at this time when most countries are reeling under the hikes in prices of necessities. The shocking report yesterday was that tomorrow, oil prices will reach astronomic prices! The most we can do is to “fill up”, and pray that the increases will not be unreachable!*
