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Actress Jennylyn Mercado, medical professionals, and other netizens questioned Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque’s statement regarding the continuous rising cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines.
This was when the Palace stated that the cases were not alarming.
The actress queried what number should the country reach for us to be alarmed with the pandemic.
“Ano po ba yung dapat maachieve nating number bago po siya maging alarming?”
Ano po ba yung dapat maachieve nating number bago po siya maging alarming? https://t.co/ZFgRxA74eS
— jennylyn mercado (@MercadoJen) July 23, 2020
A medical professional said that she had close encounters with COVID patients. She also said that she has been scared for the past months due to this pandemic.
I am a frontliner. I have seen covid patients up close- and I am fearful each and every time. And the numbers are rising. 70 thousand cases. When will you be alarmed? Because I am. I am frightened. I am scared. I have been for the past 4 months. https://t.co/JmicY1rZ30
— peachy natividad (@peachynatividad) July 22, 2020
A netizen also believes that Roque’s statement is an insult to people who have been affected by the pandemic.
https://twitter.com/louixelle/status/1285966507739017217?s=20
I want intelligent leaders. Please. https://t.co/DOMQkly0Vh
— Dawn Chang (@thedawnchang) July 23, 2020
https://twitter.com/justihce/status/1286139843488043008?s=20
Are you serious?!!!!!!! 🤯🤯🤯🤯 https://t.co/sog1sijCF5
— Kean Cipriano (@keancipriano) July 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/FAYEHZB/status/1286136945303838720?s=20
NOT ALARMING? At first it’s just a number of 130 but everyone went panic already and now there’s 70k?!Everyone who’s been going out for work is already at risk. Tapos wala pang maaasahan sa gobyerno. Nahihirapan na ang frontliners sa patuloy na pagtaas pero not alarming pa rin. https://t.co/xmAeshs9tx
— B (@bearwithb_) July 23, 2020
https://twitter.com/JamesDicang/status/1285958982134194178?s=20
https://twitter.com/AGHCID/status/1285934973359251456?s=20
Roque said on Wednesday that the country has intensified its testing capacity.
“I wouldn’t really say it’s something alarming but it should concern all of us,” he said.
“I think the situation is for the better now,” he added.
Moreover, as of July 23, the Philippines now ranks 2nd among other Southeast Asian countries with the most number of COVID-19 cases following Indonesia.
Southeast Asian countries ranking by the number COVID-19 cases: (as of July 23)
Indonesia – 93,657
Philippines – 74,390
Singapore – 49,098
Malaysia – 8,840
Thailand – 3,269
Vietnam – 408
Cambodia – 198
Brunei – 141
Laos – 19
In less than a year, COVID-19 already conquered most of the countries in the world. Expert says that COVID-19 can be transmitted through face-to-face or close contact with a COVID-19 positive or indirectly, through contaminated surfaces and objects. However, recently scientists report that there is a probability of airborne transmission.
