President Rodrigo R. Duterte has emphasized in his recent public address the need to comply with minimum health standards amid the recovery of the country’s hard-hit economy due to the current pandemic.
Citing some countries that are experiencing a third wave, President Duterte said many people are getting sick and dying “for the simple reason na matigas ang ulo (that they are stubborn).”
In the case of the Philippines, he explained that a number of people are allowed to leave their homes out of necessity.
“Kung hindi sila maglabas ng bahay (If they do not go out), can you sustain their lives while inside the house? Nobody is buying food. Hindi na kikita, walang trabaho. Wala lahat kaya napipilitan lumabas (They are not earning and are jobless. They have nothing that is why they are forced to go out),” he defended.
“Ang ano lang diyan, ang panlaban lang ng COVID is wash your hands, tapos wear a mask, and stay home. Iyan lang ang medisina diyan. Walang… Hindi mo mabili sa botika ‘yan (To fight COVID is to wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay home. That’s the medicine… You cannot buy that in the pharmacy),” he stressed.
As of December 3, the Department of Health (DOH) has logged 1,061 confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 435,413. A total of 399,325 have already recovered while 8,446 have died. – PTV News Online
