Get the ‘jab’ done
Like the prices of petroleum products, the number of COVID-19 infections has steadily increased in recent weeks. Although the Department of Health has been sounding like a broken record telling the public to observe minimum health protocols and the importance of getting primary or booster doses, people seem to ignore the reminders. Partying has become normal again, and people converge in public spaces without wearing their masks. Meanwhile, the vaccination sites are almost empty.
The City Health Office (CHO) of Tagbilaran City has put up mall-based vaccination sites open from Mondays to Fridays. Despite the sites’ convenience, we seldom see people lining up to get their jabs. Nurse Robin Culpa revealed that one of the targets of the CHO is to conduct house visits to the approximately 2,000 unvaccinated senior citizens in the city and educate them on the importance of getting the vaccine. There are around 11,000 in this vulnerable group. Vaccine hesitancy remains high despite the availability of the vaccines and the government’s goal to protect the vulnerable sectors.
We are called upon to do our share in our little way in these trying times. Lockdowns are not a feasible long-term solution to the problem. We have seen how lockdowns extensively damaged our economy and deprived many Filipinos of livelihood. Lockdowns during this economic turmoil are like salt rubbed against an open wound.
The government is overburdened with problems in the economy and public health. Instead of adding to the burden, two things are well within our control. One is to follow the hornbook rule of living within our means, and the other is to get that jab on our shoulders. These two can be easily taken for granted but can cause a lifetime of miseries to you and your family.