by Cyrus A. Natividad

IMH Nurses unpacking PPEs donated by CPU College of Nursing, Capiz Emmanuel Hospital, Iloilo Mission Hospital Nurses’ Alumni Association (CCINAA).

As we listen to the news on radio and TV, updates from social media about the surge of coronavirus worldwide, people are gripped with fear and anxiety.

The government declared a state of emergency. Provinces, towns are ‘locked down’ on orders of the mayors and governors.

The novel virus presented itself for the first time and rendered local government units rushing for initiatives and logistics for their people–after it was concluded that COVID-19 is a deadly disease.

Delays in finding out the antidote, medical supplies and equipment, food and basic needs for distribution as residents are required to stay at home, and funds for the displaced workers were on top of issues of the day. These have caused people to panic.

This was real as compared to previous disasters where politics are ‘important characters’.

This time everyone, including sincere government and business executives did something or have shared a lot to the ‘bayanihan concept’ – coming out with earnest desire to help recover persons affected by the coronavirus.

We sympathize with sincere government officials, health workers, and kind-hearted organizations in facilitating the management of service and security.

The long wait to end the pandemic in our country may not be over yet. We still watch patients coming in and out of hospitals. We grieve with the families who lost their loved ones. For this, we honor our dedicated doctors and nurses, our medical frontliners, who continue to risk their lives on the line of duty.

We realize many of our medical frontliners come from Central Philippine University – specifically doctors and nurses who are imbued with the values of Central Spirit.

Let us support them emotionally by sending them our encouragements, and by praying for their safety. They are chosen by God to serve our country and our people. To God be the Glory!