Too much panic

While I was waiting in line to watch the American band LANY in Cebu, I was greeted by unsavory characters at the concert gates. Men and women of different ages were bringing boxes of facemasks, selling them at P10 apiece. They were moved along the long lines trying to catch attention of the crowd who was so eager to get in. But then they only created too much panic, because everyone started to buy, others doing it in bulk. Imagine the cash they made that night.

The 2019 novel coronavirus has been a hot topic in all corners of society today because of the threat it brings. The death toll from where the virus originated in China is increasing, and our country already confirmed cases. While the president has already ordered a temporary travel ban on all those coming from China, the threat still remains. The provinces of Cebu and Dumaguete are at risk, considering that the 38-year-old woman who tested positive visited these two places. The airline company she used is trying to call the other passengers on the plane to test them if they are positive for the new coronavirus.

But I still feel the panic, which has been taken advantage of by many individuals. The running out of masks at the store is a sign that everyone is trying to avoid the virus at all costs. However, reselling these masks is unacceptable especially with this health emergency. How can we tolerate such acts by perpetrators? Is it because of desperation? I don’t think it is worth stressing about. I don’t feel the need to even wear a mask. Aside from I think it is a distraction to my everyday life, I feel like I am not immunocompromised or have anything. The Department of Health made it clear that only those with existing respiratory problems and weak immune systems should wear masks. Those who don’t fit in the category don’t really have to and leave the supply to those who need it the most. Who does? The health workers and those whose jobs expose them to the risk of infection.

That’s just masks! The stores are now running out of rubbing alcohol, as if an apocalypse is about to happen and you need to be sparkling clean to save yourself. Let us all calm down and look at this in perspective. DOH has mandated to have proper hygiene. Does this mean that majority of the population didn’t practice sanitation and hygiene before this issue broke out? I hope not. What a disappointment to have a citizenry that doesn’t even know how to clean. It is like we are looking at the virus as a wakeup call to change our habits. Talk about having useless lessons in values education and health about hygiene if we can’t even apply them in the first place.

I don’t know when the hype of the virus will die down. Hopefully, when the cases go down too, and when a cure has been discovered. I hope it goes that way. Let us continue to pray for those who are affected by the lockdown in China, and those who are under investigation because of suspected cases. We can get through this, no need to panic.