So the entire of Metro Manila is officially under community quarantine, starting today March 15 up to April 12, 2020. Note, it is NOT a lockdown as people can freely move around the metropolis. Those living outside of Metro Manila but working in NCR need to present their work I.D for them to enter. Checkpoints are now stationed near borders at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and towns like Marikina, Pasig, Quezon City that share borders with Rizal Province, Cavite and Bulacan.
Everyone is encouraged to stay home. Or if they have work, they need to get home before the curfew hours 8 P.M - 5 A.M. These are good measures implemented by the government but I believe it is a little too late as there was a massive exodus of people leaving the National Capital Region with long traffic jams at the expressways.
So while we are under community quarantine (not a lockdown), what guarantees do we have that those who left Metro Manila in a huff, are not carriers of this contagious virus? None. All we can do is pray, it won't spread like crazy as our healthcare system is already stretched to its limits with the 140 and counting positive cases, so far.
Yesterday, March 14 D and I went to the supermarket so we could buy some essential goods like bread, coffee, rice, canned goods for my octogenarian parents who live in a condo unit. What greeted me were empty shelves where stacks of alcohol bottles, hand sanitizers, alcogels were displayed prominently just a week ago. Even the entire bread counter was depleted of any supplies.
I only had a small trolley but saw other families with 3-4 members each with their own carts filled to the brim. Panic buying, storing supplies like it was the end of the world, mind you it is not! This is being selfish because clearly the community quarantine guidelines states that groceries, supermarkets, pharmacies, hardware stores will remain OPEN during this period. So why have carts full of items?
I only had a small trolley but saw other families with 3-4 members each with their own carts filled to the brim. Panic buying, storing supplies like it was the end of the world, mind you it is not! This is being selfish because clearly the community quarantine guidelines states that groceries, supermarkets, pharmacies, hardware stores will remain OPEN during this period. So why have carts full of items?
I noticed there were only a few people with face masks because there is a huge SHORTAGE for them. D & I have a few left and gave most of them to my parents. I instructed my parents to stay indoors, and just give me a list of their maintenance medicines when they run out. But for now they have enough supply.
I have to admit I have sleepless nights worrying over them. This pandemic is further adding to my fearful days and insomnia filled nights. Valid fears but there is nothing much we can do but pray this contagion is eradicated sooner than soon.
"Remember March, the ides of March, remember" - William Shakespeare
"Remember March, the ides of March, remember" - William Shakespeare
So help us Lord!