Red Glass
As the total number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines top the 160k mark, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Sunday a new record-high on recoveries. With a total of 40 397 recoveries reported, which brings the total number of patients who have defeated the virus to 112 586. While this new development in the ongoing bout against COVID-19 may sound like a reason for relief, is this so-called mass recovery really something both the people and government should be proud of?
The sudden spike in recoveries is due to the DOH’s “Oplan Recovery,” which tags those who have completed the 14-day isolation from when they first started showing symptoms of the disease as recovered. Despite doubts against this certain implementation, the DOH has insisted that the use of “time-based tagging” in declaring COVID-19 patients as recovered is based on scientific evidence and international standards. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire further expounds that this method is already being implemented on other countries.
The DOH also claimed that this significant increase was due to the enhanced data reconciliation efforts with local government units through the above-mentioned Oplan Recovery. Utilizing the local government units is a good idea, but who is to say that the data received can be considered to help in establishing the recovery implementation towards the national level?
This scheme sparked doubts and questions within the public, especially since tagging mild and asymptomatic cases seems more than a little conspicuous in its own right. Sorsogon Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero questioned the mass recovery, stating that this only happens in the Philippines and that it is “intolerable and insulting.” In addition, the governor also called out President Rodrigo Duterte to relieve Health Secretary Francisco Duque of his position for his poor approach on the ongoing pandemic.
Knowing that those who have mild or asymptomatic cases have been considered recovered, it has become quite a concern as to why this way of recording COVID-19 recoveries. Although the method is based on international standards, the fact that the DOH is tagging such cases as recovered is beyond what the World Health Organization has stipulated in its guidelines — not to mention its criteria. It almost seems like labeling mild and asymptomatic as recovered is more of a desperate attempt at a mass healing rather than actually making an effort to cause one.
With time stuck in quarantine and the ever ongoing battle against this disease, it is easy to forget just what might be going on inside the minds of those who are supposed to do what is necessary to stop it. As the COVID-19 cases storm towards the 200 000 point, perhaps it is nigh time to identify the red line that tops the charts when it comes to the total number of cases. Unfortunately, it looks as though the government has a pair of red glasses on, making them unable to see that red line that fluctuates every now and then.
Instead of seeing an opportunity to make real progress, the only line they see is another shot at feigning another step towards a disease-free country.
