All too well: COVID ends after three years

In the symphony of life, we found ourselves dancing to the dissonant notes of uncertainty, gracefully masking our emotions behind a façade of resilience. For what is life, but a tapestry woven with threads of unforeseen circumstances? We are in a whirlwind of rapid transformations, where the ground beneath our feet trembled with each passing moment. But after years of waiting, the announcement made by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 5 marked a significant milestone in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as it declared an end to the global health emergency.

This declaration followed the devastating consequences of the pandemic, including over 6.9 million deaths, widespread disruptions to the global economy, and severe impacts on communities. However, there remains uncertainty about whether the world is truly prepared to bring an end to this catastrophic outbreak.

During a meeting held on May 4, the WHO's Emergency Committee recommended that the UN formally declare the end of the coronavirus crisis, which had been classified as a "public health emergency of international concern" for more than three years. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed optimism as he clarified that the termination of the global health emergency did not imply that the virus was no longer a worldwide health threat.

𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

However, for years, in the shadow of towering skyscrapers and bustling metropolises, we yearn for the vibrant heartbeat of progress that resonates across the world. The government cannot turn a blind eye to this undeniable reality. When measured against the tapestry of global standards, it is a canvas smudged with the hues of disappointment, a symphony that fails to strike the right chords. Ironically, two weeks before the declaration ending the COVID era, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday that the average number of new daily cases of COVID-19 in the country has increased by 32 percent from April 17 to 23. There were 450 infections daily, compared to 341 recorded between April 10 and 16.

Meanwhile, there were 3,148 new cases and five confirmed deaths, and the number of severe and critical cases decreased from 356 to 345 within the same week. The Philippines finds itself at a crossroads, where the shortcomings of our government's response to the pandemic cast a shadow upon our collective resilience. And to date, the country has reported over 4.08 million cases of coronavirus and more than 66,439 deaths.

𝗥𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱

While COVID-19 has affected countries across the globe, its impact has been far from uniform. Regional disparities have emerged, with some areas experiencing higher infection rates, hospitalizations, and fatalities compared to others. It underscores the urgency of implementing targeted response measures that consider the unique contexts and challenges we face, instead of relying on generic strategies.

Recently, face-to-face classes at the University of the Philippines Baguio were suspended from May 2-5, in response to a significant increase in COVID cases. According to a memorandum issued by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Rosemary Gutierrez, the university had documented 21 COVID cases as of April 29.

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Rosemary Gutierrez recommended that UPB professors make arrangements to conduct asynchronous classes during this period. Gutierrez also emphasized the importance of observing safety precautionary measures and avoiding crowd-gathering activities for a safer UPB campus.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, it is crucial to reassess its global emergency status. We cannot deny that this three-year pandemic has laid bare weaknesses in health preparedness and response systems. Hence, our experience should serve as a wake-up call to enhance our readiness for future health crises. While the virus remains a significant public health concern, advancements in vaccination efforts, the adaptation of healthcare systems, and the perspective of endemicity suggest that a nuanced evaluation is necessary. Striking the right balance between pandemic response and other healthcare priorities will be crucial as we navigate the evolving landscape of COVID-19 and work towards safeguarding global public health.

Words By: Ayien-An Jetia Pesimo