I saw a news report stating that only 25 percent of the entire Filipino community had been vaccinated and therefore no longer potential victims of the COVID. That means they have gone through the required shots that will enable them to stop the virus in its tracks! I hope that number had doubled or even tripled by the time this column goes press. If some people you know seem to be paranoid when the disease is discussed, you can’t blame them because COVID is a mysterious ailment only those of our generation have experienced.
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But there is hope for our population because of the availability now of the vaccine that can prevent it from those who have been vaccinated. If you have relatives or friends who are among those “unbelievers” who would rather take chances with home-grown medicines, or even the use of leaves and fruits of certain plants to stop it, by all means let them take it! But warn them to also undergo vaccination, which is available now in our city, don’t dissuade them, but convince to also get vaccinated. That will be double insurance, wouldn’t it?
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I hope our government doctors and medical staff are taking the cue from him in his impatience with the slow rate of vaccinations in the country. But we have to reckon with the fact that there are still superstitious as well as dubious people, even in this generation, who still have superstitious beliefs they cannot brush off, but if their officials lead by example, as they should, administering the vaccines may not be a problem at all. Educated people, therefore, must help by convincing them of the effectivity of vaccines.
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But there is another problem that has come that may be blamed, not only on the COVID, but by circumstances not only in our country, but also in others. And that is still the existence of ignorance, although I heard that this is not true in our city where people are even lining up for it, I hear. My folks and I have submitted to it, and, believe me, it does give you a feeling of immunity! I understand both our city and our province are attending to this, and it will be your own fault if you refuse and unknowingly catch it.
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I hear that the NCR, or National Capital Region, has already stopped curfews, which could mean that they have noted a lessening of cases there. So it will not long before such development will also be observed, or handed down to our provinces, cities and towns or barangays. Let us not be stubborn and ignore such instructions, or suggestions, especially if there are children in the family. A word of warning though, do not instruct your family members, especially children on what to do, and do not use fear as your medium of instruction!
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Warnings have come out about the possible rise in prices, not only of food, but also of others necessities this month. It will be followed by December which is the month of spending, not only for gifts, but also of food and other necessities. Don’t get caught flatfooted, as the idiom goes, and do your Christmas shopping as early as possible. Don’t hope for bargain sales that may not be held, with circumstances as they are now. A wise man I know once told me that to avoid the hassle of shopping for gifts which the receiver may not even appreciate, he gives out gift certificates.
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While hundreds, even millions of people worldwide may be awaiting Christmas with joyous expectations, more, I think, are sad because among the most prominent news items are announcing that many people are jobless, or have lost their jobs, especially those who are classed as “casual workers”, and therefore their appointments are temporary. Let us pray for them with the hope that their employers observe the true spirit of Christmas. I was saying “It’s better to give than to receive”.
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Meanwhile we welcome the news that cited the Health Department as saying that COVID cases in the country are lessening, and records show that the ICUs, or Intensive Care Units, of hospitals have less patients these days. What a good sign for the coming holiday, the most important one of all, Christmas Day. Sometimes people forget, in the flurry of Christmas preparations, whose birthday they are celebrating. Let us not be distracted from the real meaning of that great day, that happens to be the birthday of Jesus Christ Himself!*
