I confess to having mixed feelings about seeing the news repeatedly flashed on national TV that mobile vaccinations have started in Bacolod and that, so far, thousands have already availed of the preventive shots. That means that more and more people will be able to avail of what is considered the only, and the best means to avoid infection by the COVID virus that has taken huge tolls in several countries all over the world. As concerned citizens, let us all help in convincing the “doubting” ones to avail of this benefit offered by our city and, I understand also our province, which is the only means available for us to avoid infection by this worldwide plague.
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But is it true that public schools were already starting enrollments yesterday? Of course we should not impede the education of our children, but are we sure that those enrollees have all availed of inoculations? Unless all the children, and even students in the higher grades, as well as college, have undergone the main process that could save them from the scourge of this generation, the risk of infection is still hanging over their heads. And not only that, they could also become transmitters of the virus. It is likely that I just haven’t heard of the precautions being taken by our education officials, but I do hope, such preventive measures have been prioritized for enrollment.
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It is also very heartwarming to know that our province and city have been categorized as “low risk” areas even for the latest variant to make its appearance and given the name of “Delta”. Let us give credit to our officials who have been leaving, figuratively, “no stone unturned” in seeing to it that majority of our people will be able to avail of the vaccines, wherever they are. Let us give credit, too, to our health workers who venture out to every possible area in order to vaccinate our residents, and, I am sure, even those who are staying in our city and province temporarily.
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The old saying “One swallow does not make a summer” came to me as I observed and listened to reports about the aggressive drive of our officials in seeing to it that vaccines are available to everyone. Indeed, if there are still thousands unvaccinated, only one of them catching the virus, could pass it on to all the rest! So let us plead to our residents, please do not be obstinate. Do not rely on your own beliefs or methods while such preventives as inoculations are available.
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I confess that I do not know much about Afghanistan, the exotic country that is now in the world news because of its having been “invaded”, or shall we say “appropriated” by the Taliban that, as far as I know, are war-like people whose move against Afghanistan has surely struck fear in the hearts of its citizens. What is most terrifying, I think, is the Taliban attitude towards women, and how can the native Afghans not be stricken with fear, especially for their womenfolk? How can the natives protect, or keep their women and girls away from the eyes of what could be a lascivious tribe?
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Hearing that made me wonder if the COVID has not gotten to the country, or has it found the means to keep the virus away? From the accounts revealed in the news, the biggest worry of the native Afghans is how to protect their women and even their young girls from the invaders who set their eyes on the exotic beauty of the Afghan girls. That is the price women often have to pay when countries get into conflicts. I remember stories from my aunts and grandparents how they had to hide the young girls in the family during the Japanese invasion of our country. Aside from our soldiers who were killed in actual combat, many women were also victims of the invaders then.
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It should also gladden our hearts that our policemen and women have all been subjected to vaccination. If there is any segment of society that deserves it, it is that of the police, whose duties cannot allow them to hide from exposure to this international killer. Knowing that our cops are protected will also make criminals as well as their victims more secure. Of course the former may deserve to be infected, but let them have their day in court that will impose on them the penalty they deserve. Knowing that our cops are “safe”, i.e., not carriers, should be comforting, even to offenders.
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Just when we have started feeling a bit secure after undergoing vaccinations, and knowing that a big percentage of our people have also turned up to get their “shots”, here comes another variant with the name of “Lambda”. Is it true that this has only been found in Region 6? Hey, that is where we belong! I don’t mind admitting that I felt very proud and appreciative when I saw an item flashed on national TV several times about the roving vaccination drive in our city, where health workers, armed with their vaccination equipment go to markets, malls, and in barangays and sitios to “shoot” people with one stuff. What could prevent them from being caught by the COVID? May God bless and protect them all!*
