Cyril S. Talusan,
Education Program Specialist II
Coronavirus-19 disease, short for COVID-19 is a type of illness which is caused by a novel coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; previously called 2019-nCOV). Last December 31, 2019, there was a first identified amid an outbreak of respiratory illness cases in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and was initially reported to the World Health Organization (Cennimo, 2021). After the outbreak of the virus, it was announced to the news that similar findings have been found to different people in the other continents of the world. Different reactions for different bodies of someone. Some have mild symptoms, others become severely ill. Some also happen to experience post-COVID conditions. These are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people experience more than four weeks after being infected by the virus which causes COVID-19. Several studies have been made all over the world with regards to the existence and how does it spread.
COVID-19, according to the medical expert has symptoms very similar to ordinary flu. After 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, the development of symptoms may start. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, fever or chills, cough, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2021). Not everyone who became a COVID patient experiences all the symptoms listed above although it doesn’t include all the possible symptoms. Older people, those who have a weak immune system, those who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung diseases and diabetes are prone and have more risk for developing more serious complications of COVID-19. Sometimes, those are the people who had a hard time recovering from the disease. Even though they may be similar to flu since they are both contagious, some symptoms still differ and are caused by different viruses. The flu is caused by an infection with the influenza virus while COVID-19 is caused by an infection with the new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. In addition, the COVID-19 spread more easily and cause more serious illnesses to some people. It can also be contagious for longer and has a long time before infected people show some symptoms.
After the announcement made by the government, there are many adjustments made to follow the guidelines set by the Department of Health (DOH) and Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF). A series of guidelines has been released to the public for them to follow. There had been a distribution of “ayuda” made by the national government. A localized version has been made by different provinces and cities that can help during the implementation of the first months of lockdown all over the country. Several people have been deeply affected by it as many citizens became unemployed due to company closure where they are working.
The Government implements and the citizens should follow. People are now facing a big problem and it is the continuous increase of the number of infected by the COVID-19. Vaccines are produced yet the government still encounters shortages because of the lack of financial benefits. Medical workers are exhausted and facilities are now overloaded with patients. All citizens are in this together, and they must do their part to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and contribute to the community’s well-being. It is a big help to the government if the change starts from its citizens. Following safety protocols outside their house or even in different areas can be a great help to the front liners especially to the medical workers who gave their full time in taking care and curing the COVID- patients. Unnecessary things should be set aside and staying at home is a must nowadays. It is very important to practice control of oneself first. Be a good example to younger siblings and other people. Always wear face shields and face masks especially in common places or crowded places. This includes the outdoors especially in places that are not possible for social distance. Do not forget to wash hands and apply and sanitizers to lessen the contamination of the virus. Practice Social Distancing as much as possible. Living in a normal way is no more but in the new-normal and social distancing is a new normal. Staying close to someone is a big threat to one’s health and his/her family for no one knows who carries the viruses. And avoid social gatherings to lessen contact with other people.
These safety precautions are just simple, and being responsible citizens should value these rules for it is a big help to save everyone and all families from the COVID-19 and at the same time, following these safety tips is a big help to the government and to the people who do their best to control this problem. Always put into one’s mind, “Prevention is better than cure”.