EDITORIAL - Patients or prisoners

According to some reports received by this paper, those who have been found infected with COVID-19 and currently being housed in the Barangay Isolation Centers (BIC) of their respective barangays are facing another challenge aside from battling the virus; the boredom of having nothing to do.

Some patients face the prospect of doing nothing but just eating and sleeping for the 14 days they are required to stay in the BIC.

The problem, at least according to some barangay officials, is the lack of a program or set of instructions from authorities on what the patients should be doing aside from just recuperating.

We understand that the local government unit has its hands full in fighting the virus, including carrying out testing, buildings facilities to isolate the infected, and making sure those who have been left without livelihood, whether permanently or temporarily, are getting aid or relief goods.

Here’s an idea, why not have the respective barangays determine an exercise or activity for COVID patients? According to rehabilitation and sports medicine expert Dr. Rhoel Dejano, the eat-and-sleep routine is unhealthy. Light exercise and other activities can do wonders for people in isolation.

And considering that there is only so much exercise one person can do in a day, why not activities to stimulate their minds as well?

Barangays can donate books, puzzles, periodicals, crafting materials, or anything that can help kill boredom in the BICs.

Of course, the materials have to be chosen carefully to be sure they are of interest to the patients. The good news is they also don’t have to be new or expensive, because in all likelihood these materials have to be destroyed once the BIC closes or as a general precaution against contamination risk.

If we are already bored at home, where most of us have access to TV, radio, and the internet, imagine how those in the BICs must feel having nothing to do all day for an extended period of time.

The extra step must be taken to ensure that our COVID-19 patients feel like actual patients in our BICs, and not prisoners.