MANY Filipinos are worried about getting infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and become part of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) statistics. While majority of those who get infected will experience mild symptoms only, our lola, lolo and other persons, especially men, with preexisting health conditions, particularly hypertension, heart disease and diabetes, are at an elevated risk of getting seriously or critically ill should they get infected.

The measures taken by the government could, of course, lead to economic sepsis. My neighbors here at Cebu City who are habal-habal drivers have no more income. Malls, stores and restaurants have closed — temporarily or permanently. This is the second wave of the impact of Covid-19 to tourism-dependent Central Visayas, the first being the ban on flights from China and later South Korea.