Filipinos urged to show ‘compassion, sense of humanity’ amid coronavirus

MANILA, Philippines — Two senators on Thursday called on the public to show compassion and a sense of humanity as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak as a pandemic.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1240366/who-declares-virus-crisis-is-now-a-pandemic

“We are facing a disease that knows no borders. We cannot simply watch and feel safe while the pandemic ripples across the globe,” Senator Grace Poe said in a statement.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1240879/what-the-who-pandemic-declaration-on-coronavirus-meanscovid-19-coronavirus-who

“Our unity and sense of humanity will help combat this public health crisis. As we try our best to keep ourselves and our families healthy, there should be a palpable sense of responsibility for the greater common good. We are all in this together,” she added.

Senator Francis Pangilinan, meanwhile, said that a “health disaster can be defeated with quick and timely multi-sectoral, science-based interventions anchored on compassion.”

“We can defeat this virus. We can lessen the spread. And we can emerge triumphant and victorious but we have to help each other,” Pangilinan said in a separate statement.

“We are confronted by a virus that knows no boundaries. No one family, no matter how equipped with tons of food stock, disinfectants, and medicines, can stay safe for long if the rest of the community have none. Combatting the disease needs a community effort and compassion toward each other,” he added.

The senator then called on national and local governments to step up efforts to keep the public aware and well-informed, as he enumerated the areas where leadership is required.

He said the government should issue more frequent advisories and bulletins, utilize the help of the private sector such as telcos for timely updates.

He said concerned national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) should stock up on basic relief goods.

Pangilinan also urged the government to make fund releases easy especially to government hospitals through the Departments of Health (DOH) and Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

He said contingency funds and savings should be tapped to augment the budget for the government’s response against the outbreak.

“Leaders, especially in government, should strategize and draw up measures to address this pandemic,” he added.

As if Thursday, the Philippines has reported 52 positive COVID-19 cases in the country.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1240811/covid-19-cases-in-ph-climb-to-52-with-addition-of-3-more-patients

The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses named the novel coronavirus as SARS-CoV-2.

The virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people but can cause serious illness such as pneumonia for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems.

Coronavirus is a family of viruses, whose surfaces have a crown-like appearance. The viruses are named for the spikes on their surfaces.