Head of Department of Health (DO), Francisco Duque III, brought out his meter stick [again] amid this surge of COVID cases; in his efforts to remind the public to maintain ‘social distancing.’
The Philippines has again surpassed its highest recorded cases as DOH reported 7,999 on Saturday, March 20.
Nevertheless, during the highest number of cases last Friday, March 19, which was 7,103, the head of DOH did an unbelievable feat—distributing face shields while reminding people to adhere to health standards.
He brought out his meter stick in public again, as part of his agency’s initiative, Bida Bastonero/Bastonera. It aims to mitigate the growing number of cases in the country.
The public got shocked by the Health Secretary’s master plan on containing the fast-spreading coronavirus.
On twitter, the celebrities are appalled by Duque’s efforts; while the COVID cases continue to rise.
Celebrity host Kim Atienza was open for discussion about the Health Secretary’s initiative amid the spike of COVID cases.
Pag usapan natin ito. All opinions welcome, basta may respeto. Aprub o di Aprub? Bakit? Game. https://t.co/zagVjv2oXU
— kim atienza (@kuyakim_atienza) March 19, 2021
Singer Jason Dhakal was shocked at how the Government owed trillions of pesos for its Covid response. However, DOH could only come up with an initiative of giving out free face masks and face shields while reminding the citizens to follow minimum health protocols.
https://twitter.com/jasondhakal/status/1372881092970123264?s=20
With Duque, who personally has reminded the public to maintain social distancing, Kris Aquino impersonator and vlogger, Krissy Achino dare not tell Duque that his plan to combat COVID is not working.
https://twitter.com/KrissyAchino/status/1372955370834915330?s=20
Even forensic expert Raquel Fortun expressed his pity on the agency’s personnel who have bosses like Duque to answer for them.
Paano kinakaya ng mga taga DOH yung boss nilang mukhang tanga? https://t.co/Eu5ayfwjaN
— Raquel Fortun (@Doc4Dead) March 19, 2021
TV and film director Mae Cruz Alviar pointed out Duque’s plan to distribute face shields while most countries were already in the vaccination phase.
https://twitter.com/queenbeemae/status/1372959123545845760?s=20
TV impersonator KaladKaren was disappointed by the country’s progress in its pandemic response. She also compared other countries that already had their vaccination drive put into motion. Meanwhile, the Philippines still is in the process of giving out face masks and face shields.
NKKLK. Sa ibang bansa milyon-milyon na ang nabakunahan. Sa Pilipinas, namimigay pa rin ng face shield. Honggggalenggggg talaguh
— KaladKaren (@jervijervi) March 19, 2021
In another tweet, Kalad Karen was shocked by the person distributing ‘basic’ protection for the COVID-19, and that is—Duque. She felt the Secretary has a lot of time to partake in such an initiative while the 7k+ COVID cases continue to terrorize the country.
Mismong Health Secretary ba ang dapat mag distribute ng face shield at face mask??? Hindi po ba kayo busy??? SKL, 7K+ po ang naitalang kaso ng COVID-19 sa bansa today https://t.co/uDBgi739DX
— KaladKaren (@jervijervi) March 19, 2021
The National Government’s COVID response was full of lockdowns and curfews. Without a proper strategy to flatten the curve, the country reopened its economy, resulting in the still-growing COVID cases ballooning in a brief period of months.
The DOH is still trying to implement the 2020 strategy to combat Covid, the former health adviser for the COVID-19 task force Tony Leachon, shared what he had observed.
Leachon said that the government is so disorganized in terms of—everything—from data management up to vaccination program. Without a clear roadmap in managing the pandemic, there is no success in fighting COVID-19.
We are so disorganized – data management , analysis of data , strategic agile communications , variants analysis , and vaccination program. We don’t have metrics of success. There’s no roadmap.
Who’s in charge ? https://t.co/cT0uPH3cXb
— Tony Leachon MD (@DrTonyLeachon) March 18, 2021
Experts stated that observing physical distancing is “crucial” in flattening the curve. The DOH’s initiative to ‘always’ remind the public to adhere to such basic protocol would always go down to history as a failure since cases increase every passing day.
