‘Dance with virus’ quip not literal, part of ‘hammer-dance’ theory vs COVID-19 — Roque

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque explains the hammer-and-dance theory in his televised press briefing. Screenshot from PCOO Facebook video

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday shrugged off recent viral social media memes that put in the spotlight his remarks that Filipinos should learn to “live and dance” with coronavirus disease (COVID-19), amid the rising number of infections.

In a televised press briefing, Roque clarified that he was not asking Filipinos to literally dance with the disease.

“Marami po ang nagtatanong sa binanggit ko na ‘sayawan natin ang COVID-19.’ Hindi po literal ‘yan, kayo naman. Marami po ang hindi nakakuha sa sinabi ko at naging subject na naman ng mga memes at binuhay ang aking TikTok videos,” he said, referring to his dance steps via the dance video app which he posted on social media.

“Hindi po ito literal na sayaw. Paliliwanag ko pong muli,” Roque added, citing the so-called “hammer-and-dance” theory in COVID-19 response.

According to Roque, the method starts with the use of “hammer” or drastic measures, such as the lockdown to curtail the spread of the respiratory disease.

After scaling down the threat of the disease, the “dance” phase will be enforced where proper testing, contract tracing, quarantine, and isolation will take place as well as public education on proper hygiene at physical distancing.

“Ang ibig sabihin po ng hammer-and-dance theory, sa simula ginamit nating ‘yung hammer — lockdown. Ngayon naman po mabubuhay tayo sa kabila ng COVID-19,” Roque explained.

(What the hammer and dance theory mean is we will use the hammer, lockdown first. And then we will live in spite of COVID-19.)

“At sa pagbubukas po ng ekonomiya kasabay ng paglaban sa COVID-19, ang responsibilidad ay mapupunta po sa mga LGUs (local government units) dahil sila po ang magpapatupad ng local lockdown; sa pribadong sektor sa kanilang information drive at strict enforcement pati na rin ‘yung pagtetest sa kanilang mga empleyado; at sa mamamayan dahil tayo po ang dapat magsuot ng mask at magobserve ng social distancing.”

(With the opening of the economy in conjunction with the COVID-19 response, the responsibility rests with the LGUs as they will implement the local lockdowns; in the private sector with their information drive and strict enforcement as well as the testing of their employees; and to the people because we are the ones who have to wear masks and observe physical distancing.)

Roque, in Tuesday’s press briefing, said Filipinos can go on with their lives amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Some will say kinakailangan nating sayawan ang COVID-19. Kasi sa Pilipino, when you have to live with something, sayawan mo na lang. Iyan po ang gagawin natin. Sasayawan po natin,” the Palace official said.

(Some will say we have to dance with COVID-19. Because in the Philippines, when you have to live with something, you dance with it. That’s what we’re going to do. We will dance with COVID-19.)

“We have to deal with COVID-19; we have to resume with our economy; and at the same time, protect our people.”

Roque’s remarks have gone viral on social media, with some even reposting his months-old TikTok videos where he was seen dancing.

COVID-19 cases in the Philippines reached 50,359 with the addition of 2,538 new cases on Wednesday.

Health authorities have observed an increase in infection in the past weeks, which they attributed to the increased contact among the population as a result of the relaxation of quarantine measures.

EDV