Unruly drunks torpedo ‘happy hour’ in Iloilo

Less than 24 hours after Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas conditionally lifted restrictions against the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks in public, the ban was reimposed following several disturbances involving intoxicated persons on Tuesday night.

Treñas cited incidents at checkpoints that had intoxicated men cursing police, and violating the mandatory rules on social distancing and the wearing of masks.

The World Health Organization has advised against the heavy consumption of alcohol amid the pandemic, saying it weakens the immune system and reduces the body’s ability to cope with infectious diseases.

“Alcohol consumption may intensify fear, anxiety or depression, especially when people are in isolation, and should not be used as a coping strategy to deal with distress,” the organization said.

—Nestor P. Burgos Jr.