Filipinos’ compliance with Covid-19 measures helped flatten curve

FILE: HANDWASHING AREA. Two women use the handwashing station provided by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) before they enter the building on Thursday (August 20, 2020). The government is urging the public to practice regular handwashing to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night welcomed the news that the Philippines has flattened the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) curve, urging the public to work together to control the spread of the virus.

In a taped public address, Duterte credited the “awareness of the public” and expressed appreciation to those who followed the minimum health protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

“We had obedience and people followed. That meant a lot and contributed to what is happening now, that there is a flattening of cases,” he said, noting that every Filipinos complied with the requirement to wear face masks in public areas.

He also said he was pleased that “preventive measures” such as raising community quarantines are working.

“This means that the government efforts that were guided by the best interest of public health and the crucial data provided by medical science paid off,” he said.

Duterte lauded local government officials who played a “vital role” in the implementation of anti-virus measures in their localities.

“Mayroong iba talagang (There are some who) to the hilt, followed protocol to a T. Well, it redounded to the benefit of the people of their localities and I salute you for doing your duty very well,” he said.

He, however, reminded the public not to be too complacent as Covid-19 cases could still rise anytime.

“Despite these positive developments, we would still be vigilant and not let complacency overwhelm us and reduce our sacrifice to naught,” he said.

Duterte said the slowdown of the Covid-19 infection rate did not mean that the virus no longer exists.

“Remember that the lessening of contamination wala na masyadong tao nagkaroon ng (Covid-19) (fewer people getting infected) is not because Covid-19, the germ, is gone. It is there floating around us,” he said.

According to Duterte, the secret to beating Covid-19 is the people’s “collective resolve” to remain healthy.

“The key to winning this war against Covid-19 is the collective resolve for the people to remain healthy and maintain the protocols that you are now practicing,” he said.

Experts from the University of the Philippines (UP) OCTA Research Team announced that the country is starting to flatten the Covid-19 curve, with the continuous downward trend in the number of reported cases and the decrease in R-naught — an indicator of how fast a single case can infect others.

Cheapest vaccine

Duterte, meanwhile, expressed hope that a Covid-19 vaccine would soon be made available.

“Sinabi ko nga mayroon na (There one’s already). I think it’s Moderna. It’s a US company. I think they are ready by September. Hindi nga — sabi ko nga pabilisan na sila (I told you there will be like a race to develop a vaccine). Ang Sinovac — ang China is also ready,” he said.

He said he would purchase the most affordable vaccine since the government is already lacking funds.

“Kung sino lang ang nauna magbigay sa atin na mura, doon tayo pupunta kasi (Whoever will offer the cheaper price, that’s where we get them because) they know that we do not have enough money. Kung mahal masyado (If it’s too expensive), we will go for the less expensive ones,” he said.

“It does not mean na mas mahusay ‘yung sa Amerika o ‘yung sa China inferior or ang Russia na maganda, iyon namang gawa ng ibang nations hindi masyadong maganda (It does not mean that the vaccine from America is better or the one from China is inferior or Russia is good, the one that’s made by other nations are not too good),” he added.

Last month, Duterte said there is no “magic bullet” to solve the Covid-19 health crisis as he sought for more patience until a vaccine is made available.

He earlier said he will seek a discount from China and Russia on the Covid-19 vaccines they will develop and both expressed willingness to supply the Philippines with their vaccines.

The government would borrow money or sell public properties to purchase a Covid-19 vaccine once it is developed, he added.

As of Monday, the country has recorded a total of 238,727 confirmed Covid-19 cases of which 3,890 are deaths, and 184,906 are recoveries.

Lanao del Sur, Bacolod City, and Iligan City are currently under modified enhanced community quarantine until the end of the month while Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Batangas, and the city of Tacloban are under general community quarantine (GCQ).

The rest of the Philippines are placed under modified GCQ.