No matter what, Sunday lockdowns under the circumstances in the city are no longer tenable.
And using it as an excuse that it was effective in preventing the spread of COVID is a flawed justification.
We adopted it on April 5 when a case was reported.
Since then, we did not look back.
If we allowed limited movement on ordinary days, as we have been doing it since March 15, there is no sound argument why we should continue to prevent people from doing the same on Sundays except that it is just an extension of our misplaced fears.
On the main, it is already overdoing it.
At this point, any adjustment in the preventive measures we adopt and implement should already be data-driven.
There have been no – repeat – no local COVID transmissions from the beginning of the emergency situation and since we began adopting stringent measures which the people supported.
In fact, if there is one city that has flattened the curve, General Santos is a model to behold.
Continuing Sunday lockdowns is already counterproductive. It further inhibits and prohibits people from engaging in economic and productive activities, especially traders, vendors and small businesses allowed under moderate general community quarantine.
Moreover, it is now violative of our fundamental rights because the raison d’ etre does not exist under the prevailing conditions in the city.
I hope people should now be more compassionate and be more practical.
If the reason we we will keep doing it is that we are ill-prepared, by all means tell the people where we might fail if in case our worst-case scenario erupts.
And will somebody please tell us how such a scenario could arise in our city?
But please listen and consider what can be done to prevent it without telling the people they simply are not allowed to go out on Sundays.
What are or have been our past limitations?
Allow ourselves to enumerate what are these.
One, we still do not have testing center. True, but will a testing center prevent the spread of the virus? As of now, SPMC in Davao City can still accommodate us while we await our application for accrediation. SPMC has been relieved of the Mindanao burden following the opening of a testing center in Zamboanga and the awaited opening of another one in Cagayan de Oro.
Two, we do not have testing kits? But kits can be purchased and the city mayor had said test kits had in fact already been purchased. Those testing kits, are however useless if we do not do testings, right? But have we laid out plans for focused and scientific testing approaches? If not yet, then we have failed not because the people did not follow, isn’t it?
Three, do we have COVID-ready facilities? We may not have enough and adequate facilities but we do have hospitals that are capable of handling mild and even severe cases even though on a limited scale.
As we have been told, there are at least 26 ICU beds with complete ventilator sets that are already available in the 5 or 6 secondary and tertiary hospitals in the city.
And the city already inaugurated a COVID-dedicated faciltiy at the Jorge Royeca Hospital where people exhibiting symptoms can be quarantined pending laboratory tests. We have likewise identified facilities as holding areas for pre and post COVID admissions.
The city has also already purchased and stockpiled PPEs.
Four, do we have medical specialists to treat the virus? Since this is a new disease, it goes to say that no physician in the city has the expertise. But the medical community has always been updated on new and emerging diseases. And a barrage of literatures, testimonies and shared information over 2 months of battling the virus have already sufficiently prepared our medical community. Let us not underestimate their preparedness in extreme emergencies. Instead, let us help them cope up.
Five, is the city prepared resources-wise?
Our local officials have repeatedly assured us that the city has enough resources to help meet the emergency even for the whole year. Okay, that is fine. But will the city be able to address the lost income of its residents because the restrictions have not been eased to allow more economic activity? Our residents, especially those who do not earn incomes without doing work, selling their wares or practicing their trades cannot live on the limited assistance from the local government. Even that (LGU aid) is not bottomless. Somehow, the city also has to collect and earn revenues. With limited economic activity, you also are limiting the revenue collections. Remember, our 2020 budget is contingent upon revenue collections and IRA allocation. Any shortfall could mean budget deficit.
At this point, I think nobody is clamoring for a complete lifting of emergency measures. But sooner or later, we will have to confront the reality that the virus is here to stay until a vaccine is found and people get access to it.
Medical experts say the earliest it could be mass produced is at least 6 months from now.
That could be devastating to the econmy as well as the well-being of our people if they continue to be deprived of their right to gainful living.
At this point too, it is best for the city to prepare going back to the life we used to have even amid the presence of the virus.
This is a stark reality we have no other choice but face.
Not all will be able to stem the tide of difficulties.
Some will be better off than the others. And those some are the most vulnerable to the fear of the unknown.
For the majority who no longer have anything to lose, they will take that choice of living through it to earn a living.
