Several celebrities and netizens took to Twitter to share their reactions to the confirmation that the new variant of COVID-19 virus is already here in the Philippines.
In his tweet, Kapuso host Kiko Rustia asked people to take extra care since the new variant is confirmed to be already here. He also reminded people not to panic since we already went through this the first time COVID-19 enters the country.
“Well…kumpirm. DOBLE INGAT PO! Gaya ng sinabi ko, wala dapat ika-panic mga kababayan, pinagdaanan na natin to since last year, doble effort lang sa safety, protection, at prevention dahil doble din ang chance na maka hawa ang variant. Keep doing what you do, multiply it by 2!”
Well…kumpirm.
DOBLE INGAT PO!
Gaya ng sinabi ko, wala dapat ika-panic mga kababayan, pinagdaanan na natin to since last year, doble effort lang sa safety, protection, at prevention dahil doble din ang chance na maka hawa ang variant.
Keep doing what you do, multiply it by 2! https://t.co/pHKfAuVTls
— kiko rustia (@kikorustia) January 13, 2021
In another tweet, Rustia asked the government to step up now that the new variant is confirmed to be here.
“Perspective. Baka gusto mag step up ng Pinas, lalo na na confirmed na ang variant dito.”
Perspective. Baka gusto mag step up ng Pinas, lalo na na confirmed na ang variant dito. https://t.co/yipDK2jxOW
— kiko rustia (@kikorustia) January 13, 2021
On Wednesday the DOH through the Philippine Genome Center has confirmed that the UK-variant of the COVID-19 virus has already entered the country.
DOH PRESS RELEASE
PR No: 2021-01-13-01
13 January 2021
——————————
PH GENOMIC BIOSURVEILLANCE DETECTS SARS-COV-2 UK VARIANT
Press Release | 13 January 2021 pic.twitter.com/pDtWlmQVWu— Department of Health (@DOHgovph) January 13, 2021
According to the DOH, a resident of Quezon City who returned to the country on January 7 after a business trip to Dubai was found with the new variant.
Meanwhile, aside from Rustia other celebrities also tweeted their sentiments.
Kapamilya journalist Mike Navallo in sharing the news about the new variant tweeted “It’s here. The worst is yet to come.”
It’s here.
The worst is yet to come. https://t.co/1H76hbjlJ5— Mike Navallo (@mikenavallo) January 13, 2021
Former MOR DJ, DJ Chaha also spoke up.
Covid 19 UK Variant kumpirmadong nasa bansa na, ayon sa DOH.
— DJ Chacha (@_djchacha) January 13, 2021
ABS-CBN reporter Jeff Canoy on the other hand reminded people to always follow the minimum health standards like regular hand washing and social distancing.
“Stay safe everyone. Not sure if we can handle another ube pandesal and sushi bake quarantine era.Wash your hands regularly with soap and water/alcohol, distancia amigo.”
Stay safe everyone. Not sure if we can handle another ube pandesal and sushi bake quarantine era
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water/alcohol, distancia amigo https://t.co/pUQSZ8i9YP
— Jeff Canoy (@jeffcanoy) January 13, 2021
Award-winning writer Jerry Gracio meanwhile chided the government saying now that the new variant is here, they might dump dolomite sand again in Manila Bay.
“May COVID-19 variant na sa Pinas. Malamang, magtambak na naman sila ng dolomite.”
May COVID-19 variant na sa Pinas. Malamang, magtambak na naman sila ng dolomite.
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) January 13, 2021
Here are other reactions from the netizens regarding the new COVID-19 variant.
“This is a disaster waiting to happen with the dismal response of the gov’t to the pandemic. HERE WE GO ANOTHER SUPER DUPER MEGA EXTREME ENHANCED GENERAL COMMUNITY QUARANTINE FORTIFIED WITH L -CARNITINE, GINGKO-BILOBA, LACTOBACILLUS SHIROTA STRAIN, AND 23 RESISTENSYA BUILDERS,” @krizzy_kalerqui.
This is a disaster waiting to happen with the dismal response of the gov’t to the pandemic.
HERE WE GO ANOTHER SUPER DUPER MEGA EXTREME ENHANCED GENERAL COMMUNITY QUARANTINE FORTIFIED WITH L -CARNITINE, GINGKO-BILOBA, LACTOBACILLUS SHIROTA STRAIN, AND 23 RESISTENSYA BUILDERS. https://t.co/640I1rgEE2
— 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐲 (@krizzy_kalerqui) January 13, 2021
“The new variant is here but please remember social distancing, proper use of appropriate mask, & hand washing are still EFFECTIVE in avoiding COVID-19 infection,” @itisthehormones.
The new variant is here but please remember social distancing, proper use of appropriate mask, & hand washing are still EFFECTIVE in avoiding COVID-19 infection. https://t.co/7kNfTqXgPI
— JX (@itisthehormones) January 13, 2021
“Ang sakit lang isipin na we are all looking forward to improve the new normal situation this year but it seems like we’re going back to ABNORMAL. SARS-CoV-2 UK Variant is 70% more infectious and now its here in the Philippines. Duque, YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!” @jaeceelim.
Ang sakit lang isipin na we are all looking forward to improve the new normal situation this year but it seems like we’re going back to ABNORMAL.
SARS-CoV-2 UK Variant is 70% more infectious and now its here in the Philippines.
Duque, YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!
— jaecee lim (@jaeceelim) January 13, 2021
“The new variant of SARS-Cov-2 has finally landed in Quezon City Philippines. Please take extra caution, do not panic but maintain obeying health protocols to avoid the spread. We do not want the repeat of 2020. As we all are hoping for a better 2021. Pls God heal our Land. Amen,” @JamesCedricLim.
The new variant of SARS-Cov-2 has finally landed in Quezon City Philippines. Please take extra caution, do not panic but maintain obeying health protocols to avoid the spread.
We do not want the repeat of 2020. As we all are hoping for a better 2021. Pls God heal our Land. Amen
— James Cedric Lim Hassan (@JamesCedricLim) January 13, 2021
“Hello A’Tin. The new covid variant has entered the Philippines. Please be extra careful and stay at home as much as possible. Wag muna gumala gala. Hindi por que may vaccine na eh tapos na ang pandemic. Eat healthy, get enough sleep, WASH YOUR HANDS,” @SheroB19.
https://twitter.com/SheroB19/status/1349537019802783750
“Sabi nga ni Duterte we cannot afford another lockdown but the thing is we are still not over with the old variant of the veerus dahil sa palpak na handling ng gobyerno! So what now? Gutom pa more, jobless pa more! Sad part daming magnanakaw at mapagsamantalang opisyales!” @saudiboy2.
Sabi nga ni Duterte we cannot afford another lockdown but the thing is we are still not over with the old variant of the veerus dahil sa palpak na handling ng gobyerno! So what now? Gutom pa more, jobless pa more! Sad part daming magnanakaw at mapagsamantalang opisyales!
— Ricky S (@saudiboy2) January 13, 2021
“Seeing the jeepneys being filled again and the social distancing in malls are not being practiced. Then you’ll hear the news the new covid variant has entered the Philippines, all I can say is Good luck Philippines,” @zrandomguy.
Seeing the jeepneys being filled again and the social distancing in malls are not being practiced. Then you'll hear the news the new covid variant has entered the Philippines, all I can say is Good luck Philippines.
— GEMINIFOURTH X PLUUS✨ (@zrandomguy) January 13, 2021