More protective equipment for health workers sought

A group of physicians on Thursday made an appeal for more personal protective equipment (PPE) for the country’s front-line health workers in the battle to contain the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We urge our large businesses in the country to help us in this time of serious health crisis by providing resources for the procurement of PPE for the protection of our front-line health workers,” Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) president Gina Nazareth said in a statement.

“A patient needs to be intubated, but we don’t have protective equipment. Both the patients’ and doctors’ lives are on the line,” Nazareth said.Several big enterprises have already committed to contribute their share in relief efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday said it has processed 156 shipments and 38 containers of PPE and medical supplies.

The goods were processed at the Manila International Container Terminal, Port of Clark and Port of Naia.

‘Missteps’

In a statement, the BOC said, its “Assistance Desk, tasked to assist stakeholders with concerns on donations and relief consignments, may be reached through mobile numbers 0967-2256871 and/or 0917-8322954.”

“The public may also visit the BOC website at customs.gov.ph to learn more about foreign donation procedures and other important announcements,” it added.

“As the government and its instrumentalities work to contain COVID-19, there may be missteps and misunderstandings, confusion and conjecture, frustration and fear,” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said at a press briefing on Wednesday night.

“We appeal for patience and calm as we and the whole world face an unprecedented crisis—one that can be overcome if all of us focus (on) the singular task at hand: saving each other’s life,” said Nograles, spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, which is handling the government’s response to the COVID-19 threat.

The restrictions initially caused confusion among the public as thousands of Filipinos ended up being stranded in checkpoints where they were barred entry, while others had to walk home with public transportation suspended.

However, Nograles cited the efforts of the private sector and private citizens who pitched in to help in addressing the situation at hand.

“They have exhibited the kind of ‘bayanihan’ spirit that will help us confront the challenges we currently face. We appeal to everyone to follow their lead and do their share,” he said.

Prayer, fasting

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, meanwhile, urged the faithful to pray and fast to end the COVID-2019 pandemic.

“Let our prayer be intense. Let our fasting be generous. Let us all set aside the remaining Fridays of Lent as days of prayer and fasting,” Pabillo said in a pastoral instruction he issued on Wednesday.

“As for fasting, you can lessen the intake of food, like no ‘merienda’ (snacks), or only two meals, or take only one full meal that day, depending on the health condition of each one. These Fridays are also days of abstinence from meat,” the apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila added.

“Real fasting brings us in solidarity with the sufferings of others. This COVID-19 brings a lot of suffering,” Pabillo said, but stressed that he was referring not only to the suffering of those afflicted with the virus, or to the great sense of fear and uncertainty of many people.

“I refer most specifically to many who are in dire physical and economic need because they have no income at all—the street people, the daily wage earners, those who are engaged in the informal sector for a living, and many others,” he said.

“We are also called to be in solidarity with the health care workers. They are in the front line helping people, thus exposing themselves to the disease,” Pabillo added.