How Are You Juan?
It’s just the second month of 2020 and yet we have already
been bombarded with so many problems. Apart from the Swine Flu that affected so
many hog raisers in the last part of last year, a series of uncertain events
followed. The recent eruption of Taal Volcano was truly a huge surprise for everyone
because it has remained calm for the last 60 years. Although we know that
there is no exact time when the eruption will happen again, we will never be
calm in such a situation. No matter how much we think we are prepared for such
calamities, still, each of us is always left worried about how to start our lives
all over again.
Taal Volcano Eruption
My heart goes to all those who have been displaced because
of the eruption. And indeed, seeing how the young children and the elderly have
to deal with this is just devasting. It was also painful seeing all the animals
that were left on the volcano island. And I know that their owns wouldn’t want
to leave them because of them rely on these animals as their means of livelihood,
but what can they do. They need to secure their safety, their family’s safety
above all.
It’s hard for these people to just leave these animals and
all of their properties while they are inside relocation areas. In all honesty,
more than the animals, these people might also be worried about their things
being stolen by heartless people since they know that the barangays have been
abandoned for the safety of the people. And again, what can they do. You can’t
get mad at the authorities from refraining them to go back to their homes. The
government only wants to keep them safe since the numerous earthquakes that
have been detected shows that the magma is moving underneath and can slowly
rise up and create a huge eruption once again.
When Taal Volcano erupted, my family and I went out for
dinner. As soon as I stepped outside of the restaurant, I noticed that the sky
was unusually gray, although it was already 6pm. I knew Taal Volcano erupted earlier
that afternoon, but I wasn’t aware of the extent. I purposely inhaled deeply
and instantly detected that it wasn’t just air, there was something putrid –
sulfur. I immediately told my mom to cover her nose as well as those of my kids
because only then did I realize that this was something bad.
Going to the car, I saw that the hood was filled with ashes.
Until we got home, yes, all the cars were covered with ash. I was worried about
my pets as well, so I tried to put a cover on their cages just to prevent them
from inhaling the ash.
I was in a panic when we were not able to buy face masks on
our way home. And so, I tried checking out Lazada if there are face masks available.
Luckily, I was able to order boxes of 3-ply surgical face masks. It costed
Php59.00 per box of 50. A day after, I learned that an N95 mask was more appropriate
for the situation. But, prices on line just increased rapidly overnight. I was
able to purchase 4 pcs of N95 from a cousin of my husband. It was Php100/pc!
A day after, I was profusely coughing because of the ashes I
have inhaled. I was sick for 10 days. I was coughing hard, had a fever for one
day, and completely lethargic. But, being a mom, I could not just lay down all
day. Aside from the antibiotic I took, I bought Strepsils and Difflam lozenges.
I don’t think it has helped as much as drinking ginger ale every day which I
also did. I had a hoarse voice. My throat was dry and was already painful due
to coughing.
Days past and although I know that Taal Volcano is still
possible to erupt, I still held on to my 2 boxes of face masks. But apparently,
there was a need to have more.
Novel Corona Virus
Coronavirus is not a new virus that most people think. Coronaviruses are a family of
viruses known for containing strains that cause potentially deadly diseases in
mammals and birds. In humans, they're typically spread via airborne droplets of
fluid produced by infected individuals.
There are various strains of coronavirus which also created
a scare in the form of SARS or severe acute respiratory syndrome, and MERS or
Middle East respiratory syndrome, and the very recently the Wuhan Coronavirus
or 2019-nCoV. These rate strains can cause death.
The emergence of the coronavirus in Wuhan cause a stir among
all countries because of the number of Chinese nationals who have been infected
in Wuhan. They have discovered that this particular strain came from animals,
wherein the Chinese have been accustomed to eating animals due to their belief that
it offers some form of medicinal benefits.
The real source of the specific virus is still being
determined as of today. It has been known that SARS emerged to infect people,
came from civet cats, while MERS emerged to infect people, came from camels.
NCoV may probably originally came from an animal source, but
now may seem to be spreading from human to human. Thus, it is important that we
all take the necessary precautions to ensure that we are safe from getting the
disease and from furthering spreading it.
Because of this, people began to panic. Everyone had one thing in mind -- and that is to have as much face masks as they can. So, some sellers have taken advantage because of the increase in demand with face masks. From Php59.00/box which I bought last Jan 12, now it costs up to Php650.00/box. Apart from face masks, people were also buying hand sanitizers in bulk!
Tips on How to Prevent Being Infected with NCoV
· Take the necessary precautions to protect yourselves from
NCoV:
1. Stay away from crowded places.
2. Use a face mask when leaving your home.
3. Take Vit. C regularly.
4. Eat a balanced diet.
5. Have enough sleep.
6. Make sure to always wash your hands.
7. Bring along hand sanitizer or alcohol.
8. Always keep hydrated.
Stay Healthy While Travelling
An Open Letter To All Who May Have Been Exposed to The
Virus
It is not a secret that there has already been one Chinese
National who died of NCoV outside of China. And there may be people who have
been exposed to the virus, as well, particularly those who may be at the same
flight as the two Chinese Nationals who were kept under the supervision of San
Lazaro Hospital.
Please, submit yourself and have yourself checked so that if
ever you already present some signs and symptoms of the disease, that you will
be given proper care by our health workers.
We would not want to infect more people with NCoV and it is
only through your help that we can all be able to combat the spreading various
before it affects so many lives.
H5N1
Another virus has spread among chickens in another province
in China – H5N1 virus that affects birds has recently been reported to have
killed thousands of chickens.
This Avian influenza was first detected in 1996 in geese in
China, which eventually has been detected in humans during a poultry outbreak
in Hon Kong.
H5N1 is Avian influenza first detected in 1996 in geese
in China. By the following year, the virus was detected in humans during a
poultry outbreak in Hong Kong. H5N1 sporadically affected people in 50
countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
And again, with this kind of disease, it puts an added scare
among the Filipinos, since African Swine Flu has not been completely eliminated
as of this time.
The Chinese, being very faithful to their customs, illegal
animal trade is expected to increase these viral outbreaks which, unfortunately, be eventually transmitted to humans. Recent studies show that more than 60% of
new emerging human infectious diseases are transmitted via animals. Their
consumption of rare animals dates back since ancient times and this is because
of it being among their delicacies and unproven health benefits.
Wuhan is known for illegally selling bats and civets. And it
was discovered that SARS originated from Wuhan market which eventually killed
dozens and infected 2,000 people in China.
I do think that the Chinese should start preserving these
wild species so that they may also help preserve human health. Otherwise,
deadly viruses would emerge which could kill the human race.
In reality, the consumption of wild animals is not a threat. The problem arises when the meat from these animals become contaminated while in
transport or during slaughter
Filipinos Amidst The Crisis
How do you keep sane despite the plight that we are all
facing as soon as 2020 stepped in? It is hard enough that the primary needs of
our families are difficult to sustain these days and now we are facing these
catastrophes and diseases. One could just easily go nuts when they feel that
they are trapped with no other options.
We didn’t start these diseases, nor did we want the calamities
to happen. But those are beyond our means. We experience them. We suffer. And
all we need to do is to pray and be vigilant all the time. An ordinary Juan may
no longer feel afraid consuming these infected meats just to have something on
their table, but that should not be how things are.
The Bayanihan spirit should live among all of us. We must
try to help others as much as we can. The government cannot do it alone. This
is not the time to point fingers at people. We need to do something in order
for us to get over these problems.
The pouring of love and concern for the Taal Volcano
eruption victims overflowed. Even other countries sent financial assistance.
Now, with the Coronavirus being a huge public health threat, we must be
well-informed on how to keep ourselves healthy and free from being infected.
Be aware and spread the right information to others.
BANGON, PILIPINAS!
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