Maybe it should not be surprising that China has been reported to see a surge in COVID cases, especially now that it has also evolved into what has been given the name of “Delta”, the reasons for which, I must admit, I have no idea. Let us remember that the virus really did originate, or, shall we say, first showed itself, in the Chinese city called Wuhan? But from there, it seems unimaginable how widely and how swiftly it has infected people from countries all over the world! Maybe I have just missed any news about those still untouched by it.
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The virus has even added a lot of new words and phrases to our vocabulary. I am referring to English, which, to us, Filipinos, is already like a second language. Among those terms is “superspreader” that just came up when some places or people were identified to be carriers of the virus, and believed responsible for spreading its viciousness worldwide. Maybe that is an exaggeration, as there must still be areas still untouched or “unreached” by this new disease that was unknown before our generation. But let us be thankful that our scientists and medical researchers have, so far, already discovered a vaccine supposed to stop it in its tracks.
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But that is not strictly true, I also hear, because reports have revealed that even those who have been vaccinated against it cannot be sure they will be protected for life. Already we hear of news items telling about vaccinated ones who are again showing symptoms of the same ailment. The saving grace is that, those vaccinated are said to be not as susceptible as those who have not taken that precaution. Even in this day and age, it seems unbelievable that there are still people, educated ones at that, who are still skeptical, or even afraid of the effects of vaccination!
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Well, the government cannot force those who refuse to undergo vaccination which are now available in many provinces and cities, among them our own Bacolod and Negros Occidental, where, we have to consider ourselves blessed, not only for having less cases of the pandemic, but also showing higher percentages of recoveries, as your DAILY STAR headlines must have informed you several times lately. Have you heard that some provinces and cities are still having a hard time convincing their people to undergo vaccination? Maybe they still prefer to consult “herbolarios” or witch doctors? Let us also appreciate the fact that our officials are in the lead in providing such preventives for their constituents.
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Meanwhile, let us continue to be very, very prayerful and thankful that our city and province have been blessed by accessibilities to vaccines as well as recoveries of most of those stricken during the onset of this new malady. Wasn’t it comforting to read the headline of your DAILY STAR joyfully announcing “COVID RECOVERY RATE UP 90.11%” on August 2 and then “Covid recovery rate up 92.35%” on August 6? That means that, through our prayers and supplications, we were able to receive not only vaccines but also the proper medical advices and means to reduce the victims of this pandemic in our area!
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Let us also be thankful that, not only have we been able to acquire enough vaccines to inoculate 148,000 Bacolod residents as of August 3, we have people who are also knowledgeable enough to accept vaccinations, and also be grateful to our officials for doing their best to acquire enough for our population. But I mean those who are willing to accept the procedure, because, I have heard that there are still some who refuse to undergo it! Even the published reports that the recovery rate for COVID victims in our city had gone up to 92% has obviously not convinced them.
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Last Saturday, I listened to my cousins and nephews – male ones, that is – discuss the Olympic events, especially boxing, and yesterday I also decided to see what they seemed to enjoy so much. Ugh! It only re-set my belief that boxing should be out-lawed because of the physical harm it inflicts on the contenders who, maybe without realizing it, may suffer after-effects in their later years. I admit that I even travelled to the U.S. to watch bouts of Manny Pacquiao! But the boxing bouts I saw yesterday were rather brutal! Now I know that our Manny Pacquiao is a unique fighter. He has defeated a lot of the world’s best, but he does his fighting strictly “according to the rules”. Is it true that he has another fight coming in Las Vegas this year? Alas, I will have to rely on TV for that, but will, as usual, be praying for him all the way.*
