It seems to be a Filipino habit to be taking matters seriously only at the last minute.
Unvaccinated Taclobanons now flock to get inoculated at the Mega Vaccination Center in Tacloban City Astrodome after the sudden increase of COVID- 19 cases in the region prompted the businesses as well as the private and government establishments to require vaccination cards along with the city’s QR code upon entry.
What many have thought to be a continuous easing of restriction may have put “non-vaccine believers” at ease over the thought they have not risked themselves on the “dangers of the COVID vaccine” over what some believed as a “hoax virus.”
Sadly, the gatherings over the holidays just exposed them to the dangers of Covid- 19 thus, contributed to the number of new cases instead of helping the province achieve herd immunity.
“Masarap ang libre,”- How ironic it is when everyone is interested with things being given for free but not everyone is willing to receive free inoculation when it is the public’s health that is at risk.
“Better late than never”- Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez expressed his earlier sentiments where people should take advantage of the vaccine in a time where it is not yet required.
It would seem that “requirements” is one of the driving forces that always keep every individual moving, especially if it involves access to necessary establishments.
While it may be better to be late than never, it pushes everyone on the edge especially the already tired and undercompensated frontliners and medical health workers.
Critical thinking is a must in our society but sources of information should also be credible to provide factual information based on the studies of experts in the field.
Misinformation only led to confusion and more complications.
If compliance had not been an issue in the first place, complications would not have led to a point where people would be obliged.
After all, an unvaccinated individual may not be of an issue but individuals together as a group can trigger a bigger problem, in this case a regress to Alert Level 3 of an entire region.