Our province, Pangasinan, has tallied the highest number of new cases in a day at over 300. The local government is alarmed of the surge, and encouraged everyone to observe health protocols. Yesterday, a curfew was imposed from 8pm to 4am. I was thinking because curfew wasn't lifted though it starts at a latter time, probably 10pm. Did the government do anything to impose the curfew? I can still hear vehicles passed 10pm.

Even at the peak of lockdown back in March to April 2020, there are still people walking around even it's already 9pm. In barangays or villages, they should be doing their jobs too, but almost unfelt. My cousin recently went to the barangay hall, and she was scared there's an event near the chapel, which is in the same compound. People are flocking in like there's no virus. Unsure if the event was organized by the barangay officials, but they are supposed to be doing an action to stop the potential spread of the virus. Besides, you cannot see anyone in our village going outside of their respective houses without masks on.

Possible New Lockdown

Due to the recent high daily new cases of COVID-19 in our province, the health sector has been proposing lockdown in 7 municipalities and a city, which includes our town, Lingayen. This is quite alarming but I think it's for the better, and I don't mind those conspiracies around. My uncle just passed away from COVID-19, and his death was witnessed some from our family through Zoom how he passed away, including his last breath. If it will be imposed, I have some plans on how to get our needs be supplied. We've been through the worst of lockdown a year ago, and I am more prepared now as I got the contacts of services which can provide our needs. I don't have to rely on what the government will give because we've been overlooked during the extreme ECQ which we've been through last year, and thank God he provided for us. Money won't be a thing if you have no food to buy.

Because of the proposed lockdown, will the government abide on its own guidelines? Will they implement the guidelines as it should be? They should look at the lowest sector of the government, the barangays (villages). They should make sure the officials are doing their duties.

How about in public places? I haven't seen it is well-implemented. I have stayed in the house mostly for a year since the pandemic started. I may have came to visit at my brother's house, but I do walk to not get any contact in tricycles, possibly carrying any virus. Since I walked in the park with few people can be seen so I can avoid crowds. I did went outside for exercise too, and has chosen the time when there are few people outside. I visited the town proper for the first time last February 2021, when I went to the town hall for CEDULA (Certificate of Residence) which I will use for my documents for my wedding. Prior to that, it was March 2020 the last time I went to the town proper.

On my first visit to the town proper, I was shocked to see so many people around like there's no COVID. Group of drivers blocking the walk ways without masks (or improperly worn). They will even approach you, and offer a ride (of course, for hire). Why don't they just wait for you to ask them? There's no one from the authorities to rebuke them, and if there's one, they don't do anything just standing where they at. Oftentimes, their masks only covers their chin, neither the nose nor the mouth.

When I went to the market, most vendors only covered their mouth, with noses exposed. Even in supermarkets, many employees doesn't wear their masks properly.

Few weeks ago when we went to the vaccination site, soldiers and cops around do not implement social distancing, and the vaccination is very disorganized. It has been claimed that some individuals are secretly vaccinated because of "palakasan" system.

One of the reasons why many people are complacent is they think Covid is a scam. They knew some people who died from other illnesses are reported as Covid because some hospitals offer their families to report is as such a case in exchange to free them from their bills. I have a friend who's sister was hospitalized and died, the doctor offered them not to pay their bills but their loved one would be listed as a Covid victim. These hospitals will receive huge amount per patient from Philhealth. Thus, people's confidence towards the hospitals is on a low level, that instead of rushing to the hospital, they prefer to take care of the patients at home.

On the other hand, there are some people I knew who were rejected by hospitals (mostly public) already because the wards are already full. Some people are dying because the government isn't either prepared or they just simply not doing their duties. My friend from sign language field is currently quarantined at home after tested positive with COVID-19, as the LGU are unable to find a quarantine site for her.

Another Covid patient, who's pregnant, and about to deliver the baby was also refused by the hospital. If not for the patient's doctor, she might have given birth elsewhere.

Those are sad scenarios in the province often unnoticed.

Proper Implementation

The war against pandemic can be won if only everyone are observing the health guidelines, and the local government is doing their duties. Likewise, the health sector should also be enough, including hospitals, in reporting the real numbers without scamming people. I remember when masks, face shields, and alcohol are being sold at a high price taking advantage of the demand of these necessities. Even the use of face shields now is questioned for its efficiency. It's important that everyone will work together to get everything controlled.

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