Ka Leody says change of quarantine classifications mere ‘word play’

FILE PHOTO: An area on granular lockdown as such a scheme will be pilot tested in Metro Manila to stop the spread of the more contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus. INQUIRER/NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant Ka Leody De Guzman on Thursday likened the easing of quarantine classifications to the popular series “Squid Game” saying that the change of quarantine classification terms is mere “word play.”

“It’s like Squid Game. The masses are desperate. They have no assistance and are deep in debt. Vaccines are lacking especially in the provinces. They have to go out and work as if there is no pandemic rampaging throughout the country,” he said in a statement.

The socialist presidential aspirant also slammed the government’s changing the quarantine restriction, saying that the move is “not the correct response to the pandemic.”

“Changes in how we call the restrictions and quarantine levels is just word play,” he said.

The five-tier alert level system with granular lockdowns replaced the old community quarantine classification, which classified areas under enhanced community quarantine from the strictest and modified enhanced community from the laxest.

Malacañang announced last Tuesday the lowering of the alert level of Metro Manila to Alert Level 3.

Some health experts, however, remain apprehensive about the reopening of the economy even as OCTA Research group classified the infection in Metro Manila as a “moderate” risk.

De Guzman echoed the sentiments of the health workers, saying he is “worried” by the pronouncements of the Philippine College of Physicians and the Private Hospitals Workers Association of the Philippines that the intensive care units of the hospitals in the country are still “full.”

“We want to remind the government of the warning from medical frontliners of the possibility of the health care system collapsing,” De Guzman said.

“Our health care workers have been tired and worried for almost two years, but the government isn’t listening to them. They should be included in health policy decisions and not just politicians working for billionaires who know nothing and have no stake in the discussions,” he added.

The implementation of the new alert level system also began in several areas in the country on Wednesday.

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JPV