Best Posts in Thread: no testing, no cases

One reason why the Philippines has one of the lowest numbers of COVID-19 infections is because of the non-availability of testing kits. Although there had been some donations from other countries but these donations quickly run out and test only a fraction of the entire population. There's a fat chance that many of us could be walking around with the infection. It is scary since many Filipinos trust in what the DOH or Department of Health reports. So if the DOH says the country has only round 200 infected cases, Filipinos will be thanking the heavens for that small number compared to the numbers in Italy, south Korea, Iran, etc.

The goal is to flatten the curve and we (esp. here in Dumaguete) are doing everything to ward off the evil coronavirus. We sanitize/disinfect ourselves and our surroundings, we avoid crowds, wear masks, etc. We hope to conquer this challenge soonest by stopping the spread of the virus.

 

So people should be wearing some form of a face covering - but trying to tell people what is best for them and the whole community is pointless. Even on this forum people argue against the case for wearing a mask - some even say they are of use only if worn by an infected person to protect us from their excretions, even though they have no idea who around them are infected. In fact, a face covering is essential to REDUCE the chances of inhaling the virus (usually within droplets) and to stop a person touching the mouth, nose and eyes. The skin is the first line of immunity - like the walls of a castle - but it has holes in it. The mouth, nose and eyes are holes in that defense system and need to be protected.

People in authority, even some experts, are telling the population not to wear masks unless they are infected (but actually, how do they know they are infected!) - I think the ONLY reason for this very stupid advice is because they want to reserve face masks for health workers. I base that view on the fact that 1) It is nonsense (and the retrospective analysis of this crisis will criticise the lack of face masks for the general population) and 2) Masks are being described by government websites as PPE - that means Personal Protective Equipment. So if they don't offer protection then why are they acquiring them for essential staff and calling them PPE! The answer is that governments don't plan ahead and so did not stockpile masks - I entered the Philippines 5 years ago with a supply of N95 masks. Why did I predict an outbreak of this nature but governments did not? It is because I want to survive over the long term but governments think only short-term, in most cases.

If people don't have proper masks (and I think it is now too late to acquire them) then use a scarf/bandana, line it with tissue and replace that every 2 hours or so, and wear eye protection (specs if you wear them or sunglasses if not - getting low tint or non-tinted glasses is obviously best but I am not sure they are available other than for sight problems). Goggles would be good - but it human nature not to want to look odd in public, even if death is lurking.

 

Haha - basically she says they are ready to do mass testing "if necessary" But currently they're unable to process even only few hundred tests.

As if more testing wouldn't be really helpful right now.

 

There have been several articles who's title uses the term Airborne. I believe airborne is not the correct word. The articles then go onto describe the aerosol dispersion of the virus.

Aerosol dispersion would be droplets from a sneeze or cough. The particles are not suspended in the air but for a brief moment.

Airborne would be like pollen or spores on the wind.

If the virus is actually airborne then social distancing is of no value.

 

And the amount of ignorance in this crisis is truly worrying.

Our main hope is the isolation we have on whichever island we live and our own willingness to do what we can IN SPITE OF what we read.

And, to be perfectly frank, I do read many things on this forum which are plain wrong advice or mislead people into doing things that are not the best way. But everyone is entitled to read what they choose, take what parts of advice they wish and behave as they desire. We would be foolish to expect people to think about the community.

The main point is that we as individuals have to do what is best for us and those we wish to protect and ignore how others behave.