I am currently writing this column from home after a few members of our staff in our Laguna office tested positive for Covid-19.
Given the current speed of how Covid-19 is being transmitted these days, I fear that this is a sure sign that the Omicron variant has taken hold in our province.
Imagine, we went from a "festive" Christmas and New Year celebration since many cities and towns in Laguna province are reporting zero Covid-19 cases, to a VERY sharp uptick in the number of cases.
And I have heard, too, that Laguna province may soon be placed under a stricter Alert Level 3.
Holy guacamole.
-o0o-
Netizens have been quick to lay the blame on the now infamous "Poblacion Girl" who breached quarantine rules and partied before testing positive for Covid-19 for the recent spike in cases.
But I believe the incident involving the young woman is just the tip of a much bigger iceberg.
Here’s a bitter pill to swallow: we’re all responsible for this surge, one way or the other.
Despite the ominous warning that Omicron is on its way, many of us chose to spend the holidays with relatives and friends, even total strangers.
Public places have once again become crowded (remember what I wrote in this column last month about the rush of people to a public park in San Pedro City?)
Heck, even public transport has become crowded – some modern PUVs even allowed standing passengers during that time.
Let’s admit it, we have all thrown caution to the wind during the holiday season.
And sadly, we’re now reaping the consequences.
-o0o-
The problem we’re now having is compounded by the sudden drop in temperatures during the past days, which brought back common cold, flu and other illnesses.
To make matters worse, most of the symptoms of common cold are now identical to those of the Omicron variant: fever, runny nose, coughing, body aches, and/or sore throat.
Here’s a piece of advice: if you experience any of those symptoms, assume the worst – that you’ve already had Covid-19. Stay home and immediately take precautions.
-o0o-
Some medical experts say the Omicron is the “beginning of the end.”
What do you mean by that? The beginning of the end of the pandemic, or the beginning of the end of mankind?
The World Health Organization (WHO) itself has expressed concern not only on the Omicron variant but also on reports of new strains in Europe.
Even though Omicron is reportedly “milder” than Delta (especially for the vaccinated), WHO says that means the already unpredictable virus could spawn deadlier and harder to control variants.
So what’s next?