Isang grupo ng mga doktor ang nanindigang hindi lockdown ang solusyon sa pandemya, kasabay ng panawagan sa pamahalaang nasyunal na "bumuo ng isang lipunan na kayang mamuhay kasama ang virus."
Sa pahayag ng Philippine Society of General Internal Medicine (PSGIM), pinunto ng grupo na pansamantalang solusyon lang ang lockdown.
“We believe that lockdowns are not the solution to this pandemic. They just buy us time. Rather than discuss when a lockdown should be imposed, let’s instead discuss how we can safely open the economy,” pahayag ng grupo.
“Lightening quarantine measures at the peak of our worst surge is not the way to do this. We need to create an environment that will allow us to live with the virus — where workplace safety is enforced, transport safety is assured, the public is educated on government plants, and healthcare is assured for those in need. This can only be achieved through cooperation and proper coordination,” dagdag nito.
Agusan del Sur, nilindol ng magnitude 5.3
Nagpaabot din ng suporta ang PSGIM para kay Philippine College of Physicians President Dr. Maricar Limpin matapos mabatikos ni Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque kasunod ng paghiling nito ng dalawang linggong pagpapalawig sa enhanced community quarantine sa Metro Manila.
“At this point, our colleagues begged the IATF to reconsider their plan of shifting to [general community quarantine]. The number of cases at this time is on the rise and logic dictates that a stricter ECQ would be the preferred response. The plea was stated in the form of a request,”sabi ng grupo.
Pinabulaanan din ng PSGIM ang akusasyon ni Roque kailanmanmanay hindi naging positibo ang pahayag ng mga medical workers sa hakbang ng pamahalaan laban sa pandemya.
“We believe that this is the farthest from the truth. We supported the government’s preventive measures such as their MASK, HUGAS, IWAS campaign and augmented them with our own APAT DAPAT advisory. We applauded and supported the government’s vaccination drive and defended it against fake news pundits. We recognized government’s effort to improve active transport and provide safe mobility for our frontliners. We appreciated the DTI’s recognition of the value of proper ventilation in the workplace,” pagpupunto ng grupo.
“At no point did our colleagues accuse government of being heartless and insensitive to the plights of the people. Neither did claim that they are the only experts in the field. They were there to offer suggestions, and possibly, solutions that could alleviate the situation. They were not there to pick a fight or assign blame. It is unfortunate that their intentions were misrepresented by the Presidential spokesperson secretary response.”
Gabriela Baron
