“Unforgiving”. That was how CNN reporter Sanjay Gupta describes the latest variant of the COVID that has been given the name of “Delta”. And I don’t think he was exaggerating considering the victims worldwide about which we hear reported on TV. Which is why we should never take it for granted, and I mean by that, that we should not be hesitant about undergoing vaccinations. At this point in its rampage, vaccinations are our only hope against it.
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And those who fall victims to it because of failure to undergo vaccination, have only themselves to blame. Vaccinations are being administered free, at least, I believe so, as in our city, and other areas of the country, so there is no other reason or excuse for failing to avail of it. Some have been known to have doubts, saying they cannot be sure it is a sure-fire solution. All right, even if that is true, it should be better than nothing at all. So set aside your doubts and misgivings, and do make the attempt to protect yourself. And this refers to your family, too.
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I address this to my fellow female journalists: Aren’t you glad you were neither born, nor had wished to be a journalist in Afghanistan? Me, I had always thought of it as an exotic country with colorful people and customs, but it doesn’t seem so now. Reports from CNN tell about the killing of female journalists, especially by the Taliban who are moving into Afghanistan. Now world analysts have described the Taliban as a “regional and global threat”. Could they possibly mean that the Taliban reach could include freedom-loving countries like ours? Heaven forbid!
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Now former U.S. President George Bush has been quoted as saying that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan was “a mistake”. Dear President Bush, they should have asked you before doing it, but now it’s all ex post facto, or after the fact. So the poor Afghans have to bear up under what could be tyranny from the Taliban, especially with regards to their women and girls. Reports like that make us Filipinas thankful that we have attained a most civilized relationships between sexes, and not only between male and female, but even among those in the so-called “third sex”.
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I was surprised to hear that there are protests against vaccinations in France. Why? Do their people not want to be immunized against this virus that has been going the rounds of this planet, and even mutates into more dangerous versions like the one they call the “Delta” variant? Of course we know that the French are very independent-minded people and innovative, too. Ask Edouard Garcia! If you don’t know this – Edouard has been a resident of Paris and I think also a citizen now.
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I know Edouard must be itching to go back to Paris and his friends there, but the COVID is keeping him away. Well, Edouard, Paris’s loss is Bacolod’s gain, and, really, we had been missing you while you were away. But I know that even when he resides in Paris, he still comes home often, so we can meet and dine at his beautiful ancestral home, the jewel of Lacson Street. So bear with us now, dear Edouard, you might not come home for a long time after you get back to Paris!
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It seems unbelievable, but the news report did say that there are protests against vaccination in France. See, Edouard, I am glad you have undergone vaccination here, otherwise you might also protest against it, had you been in Paris when this pandemic occurred. Anyway, you have lots of relatives and friends here who love you and miss you while you are away, so allow us to enjoy your company, which is non pareil (is that right) as you who speaka da French, would say.
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Meanwhile, I have heard complaints that some people in our city now go around without masks. I have never seen a maskless one myself, but I seldom go out, so I can’t say anything about it. But I believe the authorities have instructions to call the attention, or even arrest those who defy the order for masks, which is such a simple item and hardly gives one discomfort, but could protect, not only the wearer, but also those who come in contact with him or her. So don’t be obstinate about it, please. As the saying goes, “The life you save might be your own”.*
