It has been heartwarming to note that both Bacolod City and Negros Occidental province have been posting encouraging recovery rates in the past few days. Let us all continue praying and observing all the protocols being issued to help us retain our health even as our officials struggle to enable us to take advantage of the means that could protect us. This virus is nothing to make fun of, because it has already demonstrated its viciousness worldwide. What we need to do is to continue praying for our medical community to find the means that could banish it forever!
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And I am not exaggerating when I say that, because let us recall all the dangerous diseases that our forefathers and the past generations had to cope with, until medicines were discovered, not only cures, but preventives, in the form of vaccines administered, not to the stricken ones, but those who are still in good health, to shield them from infection. But when I see reports about violators of the requirements, all right, the “in” word is now “protocol”, I still worry about them, and the possibility of their transmitting it to others.
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And while we are grateful for the high recovery rate from the COVID in our province and city, it is still not the time to be complacent and disregard the protective devices and actions we should observe, because this is no ordinary ailment we are faced with. Even the wealthiest and most advanced countries in the world are victims, just like the people in the poorest and most distant towns, and barangays. And please also note that this virus seems to be evolving into “variants” that mystify even the most noted professionals.
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But why is it that some countries, or just areas in such places, still resistant to the very simple, inexpensive, and yet very effective protection against the COVID? it is heartening to know that our people, at least in our city and province, are more compliant with such requirements. In some countries, the United States among them, there are still areas where residents are “non-believers” in the effectivity of mask-wearing. Haven’t they noted proof of the effectivity of this very simple mode of protection from a very serious disease that has already reached pandemic proportions?
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What is the matter with the Americans? I saw a report saying that American politicians – not all of them, I am sure – are banning the mandate of their President, Joe Biden, requiring his people to wear masks. Have they already proven that masks cannot provide protection, and that they are free to wear them or not? One would think that a country like the United States would be the model for others as far as responding to this pandemic is concerned. Let us be thankful that people in our own city and province are more concerned, not only with their own protection and that of their families, but of their communities as well.
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Meanwhile, Afghanistan, that very exotic country known for its beautiful women, is being “evacuated” with the help of the United States that has sent aircrafts to bring those wishing to get away with the Taliban already virtually having two feet inside their borders, are being helped by the United States that has been sending aircrafts to ferry them to the United States. What I wonder about is, what will be the status of those who have been taken to the U.S.?
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Will they be accepted and granted citizenship, or just tolerated as refugees? These are problems that wars between nations have to contend with. I also heard that most of those taken out from Afghanistan were women and girls, and this must be because of the belief that the Taliban have no respect for women, and may abuse the female population of Afghanistan, particularly the ones who were unable to catch up with the American planes sent to take them away from their country, and the risks they face with the Taliban occupation.
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Now what about this news about a fight between our “Pambansang Kamao”, or Manny Pacquiao, and a certain Ugas, said to take place this week? Where will it be held? And who is this Ugas, and what country is he from? Will the fight be shown on TV? I’m afraid we may not see the actual fight, and may be allowed to watch the TV coverage ex post facto, or after the fact. What a pity. I have had the privilege of watching Manny in his bouts in Las Vegas where I prayed a series of rosaries for him – as I will do again, if we are given the chance to watch our idol in the ring.*
