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More than World War II

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Was anybody surprised that Donald Trump could not accept defeat? His beautiful wife, Melania, must be more practical than him. She is now reported to be packing up, sorting their things,  and getting ready to return to their previous life  – before politics bit her husband and the disease  it brought was incurable. Of course there is no doubt that he has to leave the White House, and heaven forbid that he would be bodily take out from it! The fact that he does not want to concede is of no account – the voters have decided, and his time is up. Nothing more he can do, including throwing a “Trumptrum” will stop that.

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But it is very terrifying to hear reports about the mortalities that this COVID has brought to mankind. There are now reports stating that the number of those who died from this new disease has surpassed the number of mortalities of World War II, or any other war fought before! And how is the vaccine, or vaccines, being introduced faring? Have their recipients really the assurance that the China-born virus can be conquered by them? In the meantime, how is our own country faring?

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Reports have announced that our President is agreeable to the purchase of a vaccine, even at the astronomical price quoted. But it looks as if there is a limit as to how much of it we can procure, so it may not be sufficient to immunize all our citizens. Maybe those in capital cities and bigger towns could afford to procure it, but what about the poorest of the poor, those living in distant and remote barangays and puroks? Should they be left to fend for themselves?

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But there is a drawback, even with the news of the availability of a vaccine against this COVID. Seems it is not appropriate for very young people, nor for very old ones, and those  with allergies. For the latter, this cure could be a killer, or, at the very least, worsen their condition. What about those stories about herbal treatments that seemed to work? Has their use been extended, or are they not easy to procure? Desperate matters need desperate action, and who knows? Somebody from the boondocks may came up with a concoction that succeeds where science has failed.

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In the United States meanwhile, people are getting disgusted with their president who, apparently has not shown any concern about the pandemic that has infected so many of its people and causing the untimely death of thousands. Seems all he can focus on are election results showing him losing to Joe Biden, who seems to be a Johnny-come-lately in politics. But one can’t blame voters for turning away from him. News reports from that country barely tell about Trump assuring his people about what he is doing to get them out of the COVID syndrome. Up to now, all he can focus on are his claims of having been cheated. He cannot even comment on the mess his son, Hunter, has reportedly gotten into. What a dad!

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We cross our fingers as we write this, but a very encouraging report in the news yesterday states that 38 barangays in Bacolod City have been declared COVID free. It also noted that no  new cases were reported in the past two weeks. For that we should all pray in thanksgiving and continue to urge our people not to be complacent, and to obey all advices intended for their protection. I also think it could be due to the fact that Bacoleños have been faithfully wearing masks, which are the main protection  against infection. I am sure those who were complaining when mask-wearing was made mandatory, with penalties, are now happy that this COVID has not gotten the better for us.

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I’m sure other countries now envy us our statistics as far as this pandemic is concerned. Berlin in Germany has ordered a tighter lockdown before Christmas, while  France has just recorded it highest infection rate. It may be sad to think of Christmas with Christmas parties banned, but the reason for the prohibition is too serious to disregard. Let us all pray for a COVID-free New Year, and do our rejoicing then! In the meantime, let’s observe the “protocols” as, by doing so, we may save the lives of our loved ones, too.

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Meanwhile, I wonder which vaccine our country will adopt, if we can afford it, that is, Pfizer seems to be the leading one, but another one, Biontech, is also in the news. Whichever it is, let  us all hope and pray that it gets here fast enough for our people to be saved from what so many other countries have gone through. Perhaps that is because we are a more prayerful country, and this is one time when we should all focus on this for our protection from this scourge that is hitting this generation.*

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