SUGGESTIONS FOR A BIO-CULTURAL APPROACH TO THE PANDEMIC
This week, a Brother wrote a letter to Governor Art Yap and other leaders of Bohol, including civil society and the business sector. Here’s part of the letter:
Sirs/Mesdames, yesterday we had the privilege of getting involved in a Webinar on the Covid-19 hosted by the National Academy of Science and Technology (nast.ph).As a civil servant and Boholano, we consider it imperative to report to you the important recommendations of the two genuine experts who were the resource persons in that webinar, namely:
Dr. Michael L. Tan, Member of the National Academy of Science and Technology, former UP Diliman Chancellor and Chairman of its Department of Anthropology; andDr. Nina T. Castillo-Carandang, Health Social Scientist, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines; who said she is a Boholana.
The following isourTen-point Takeaway of the many recommendations that they put forward for whatever worth it might have to help our way as we move on:
- Go for a Bio-Cultural Approach.By this they mean, that while we stick to the science of biology, it should be coupled with considerations for our people’s culture, and the socio-behavioral dimension.
As an example, they said, “We have to understand that in our culture, home is the province. Home is the barangay. So, when an LSI or OFW comes home, as soon as he gets to the pier, he says, “Hay, salamat, I’m home”. Thus, we must not be surprised if we keep insisting that people “Stay at home”, they still roam around their barangay, because culturally, that is still part of “home”.
- Do not lock in.We understand from the discussion that they discourage any form of lockdown because keeping people in an enclosed area has the higher probability of infection.In other words, “no lockdown, but more vigorous implementation of PHYSICAL DISTANCING, MASK-WEARING, & HANDWASHING”. This, of course, requires strict enforcement.
- Open windows, use electric fans. They recommend that instead of staying in enclosed areas using air-conditioners, we open our windows and use electric fans.
- Use Physical Distancing, instead of social distancing.In-keeping with the bio-cultural perspective, in this time of crisis, we need social solidarity and togetherness in order to survive. We must therefore be socially-close and supportive of one another. Not socially-distant. Hence, the phrase to be used is “Physical Distancing”.Let us stay socially-connected, but physically-distant. Fight the pandemic with cultural sensitivity and social solidarity.
- Kanlungan, hindi kulungan. No to “parusa” and legalistic thinking. We should make our people feel that we care for them, instead of threatening them with imprisonment or other forms of punishment.
- Let us use empowering language; not threatening language.They recognize that the current approach gives higher premium to medical and security considerations because the military/police are trained look for suspects and enemies of the state. While the said approach has its own uses, “ordering people around does not encourage obedience”.
They use the concrete example that, to say “Bawal ang hindi mag mask” has been found to be less effective compared to, “Ugaliing magsuot ng mask”.
- There should be a Panel of Resource Persons which must be multi-disciplinary.This crisis situation calls for a scientific approach. Not just military and medical science, but equally important are the social sciences such as psychology, sociology and related fields.
They noted with sadness about the fact that under the current situation, “Science is being given out through press releases”. It should not be the case. Although they understand the necessity of doing it quickly, it should be explained well. “Dapat ipaliwanag”. For example, “Why wear a mask? How to wear a mask”? etc.
- Our people should be taught “How to be kind to front-liners”.Let us talk about their heroism. Let us talk about the number of recoveries. Not just the infected or dead.
- Data shows that churches, pastors, and imams have higher credibility among our people.Their help must be galvanized to convince, persuade, or foster solidarity among our people. Let us go beyond “bayanihan”, towards togetherness.
- Finally, we must honesty tell our people the truth, that this so-called “new normal” is not really normal. Instead, we can encourage them by saying, that this crisis is an opportunity to chart a better normal for our people.
It is obvious that you will be asking this question: “But why did they not recommend it to the IATF?” According to them, we must understand that the IATF is composed mostly of police or military generals. They have their way of doing things the military way which the President deems effective. Indeed, these scientists had been consulted a few times, even by the Department of Health.
We understand and appreciate the fact that we, in Bohol, have somehow been doing some of these things already through your collective leadership. But then, again, we still have a long way to go. These are not mine, but from experts invited by NAST.God bless Bohol!