Bad timing

“Think of the earth as a living organism that is being attacked by billions of bacteria whose numbers double every forty years. Either the host dies, or the virus dies, or both die.”

—Gore Vidal

By Alex P. Vidal

INSTEAD of staying calm and enjoying the repackaged 2020 Dinagyang Festival, many sensitive Ilonggos are in a state of panic following the reported “arrival” from China of the deadly novel coronavirus.

The timing of this unique virus was bad; it’s a killjoy. 

It exploded in national consciousness at a time when many people will be mixing in the crowd to celebrate the feast of the infant Jesus in the month of January.

The same celebration is held annually in Cebu, Aklan, and other parts of the country where Senior Santo Nino is venerated.

During this celebration, many tourists and locals will make physical contacts with each other in whatever circumstance and breath approximately the same quality of air.

No one knows who came from China, or in places where the novel coronavirus is believed to have spread.

Thus the paranoia of those who will be in the large crowd during the festival is already at fever pitch.

Even if the country’s health officials couldn’t yet categorically confirm if this virus has already started to transfer from one human being to another, worries and fears have started to hound the Ilonggos.

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To exacerbate the horror, Department of Health (Doh) Undersecretary Eric Domingo announced on January 23 that the virus “has already gone to several countries so that (the) idea of international spread is no longer theoretical. There is a confirmed case in the US, which is farther (from China) and supposedly has lower risk. There is higher risk within the Asian region.”

Chinese authorities, meanwhile, had confirmed 571 cases of the novel coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV, by the end of Wednesday aside from a report earlier report of another 393 suspected cases.

Of eight known cases outside China, Thailand has confirmed four, while Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States have reported one each.

Domingo added: “Realistically, the strategy now of WHO (World Health Organization) is really to make sure that when it does spread and when it happens, we’re able to isolate and contain the cases and manage them well.”

Flight attendants have been advised to closely observe passengers who appear to be ill. Only two airlines—Pan Air and Royal Air—have direct flights between Kalibo, Aklan and Wuhan, which began last year. 

The last flight from Wuhan to Kalibo arrived on Thursday morning, and all passengers were determined to be healthy.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Philippine Ports Authority also said they were implementing stricter screening of travelers in coordination with the DOH and the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).

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Buddy Britanico Jr., oldest son of Banat Partylist Rep. Salvador Britanico and Dr. Lita Celestial, sent to me this statement on January 24:

BRITANICO AND LAO FAMILIES STATEMENT ON THE MURDER OF DELFIN BRITANICO

We the members of the Britanico and Lao families condemn the broad daylight shooting and murder of our dearest husband, father, son, brother and family member Delfin Celestial Britanico in Barangay Nabitasan, Lapaz, Iloilo City last Sunday, 19 January 2020.

Del was killed at the young age of 36 years old.

The families trust that the law enforcement agencies supported by the local and national government will catch those responsible for this gruesome act and swiftly bring them to justice.

We are appealing to those who have knowledge or information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators to share these with the law enforcement agencies and to mobile number Globe 09369181307

#JusticeForDel

Ilonggo: Kami nga himata sang familia Britanico kag Lao, amon gid ginakondenar ang pagluthang kag pagpatay kay Delfin Celestial sa Barangay Nabitasan, Lapaz, Iloilo sang nagligad nga Domingo, 19 Enero 2020.

Kami naga pangabay, sa sin-o man nga may nahibal-an ukon impormasyon para sa madasig nga pagdakop sa mga kriminal. Palihog lang ipalab-ot sa mga awtoridad kag sa telepono 09369181307.

Gapangadi kami sang lubos nga maangkon namon ang hustisya, kag sa may responsable sang makangilidlis nga krimen kabay pa nga mahatagan kamo sang gakaigo nga silot. #JusticeForDel

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)