Before diving into this week’s topic, let me stress that this Ibaloy writer will always choose overflowing information than lack of it especially on life-and-death matters like the Covid-19 pandemic. If barraging the public with Covid-19 info and reminding them to follow minimum health protocols every day and every hour will help save lives, then so be it. Each life is precious and worth saving even those belonging to greedy political dynasties. I could be wrong.
Of course, what’s worse than lack or absence of information is wrong data or what is popularly known as “fake news” that is unfortunately proliferating in this age of social media. It behooves all of us then to be very careful and discerning on where we get our information especially about the “invisible enemy” we are fighting.
Information is power, as the adage goes. It can also be dangerous, however, if the data is not reliable or downright false. So please be careful. Some of the sources you can get reliable covid-19 information from are the websites of the Department of Health, City Health Services Office, and the City of Baguio-Public Information Office.
It’s more than a year now that the virus has been causing havoc to lives and livelihoods all over the world. I don’t want to sound like an alarmist, but if this pandemic takes several more years, then it would be bad news for most of us indeed in terms of the health of our bodies and wallets. Only oligarchs, thieves in high places, and greedy political dynasties will thrive in this situation. Bad grass dies hard, remember? Just kidding.
FYI: Free ride for health workers started April 27 at 6 a.m. The route is Pines City Doctors Hospital-Magsaysay Ave.-Sto. Niño Hospital-Lower P. Burgos-Buhagan Road-F. Yandoc St.-Chuntug- Harisson Road-BGH-Gov. Pack Road-UP Drive-T.M. Kalaw St.-North Drive-Leonard Wood Road-Post Office Loop-Fr. Carlos St.- Gen. Luna Road-Magsaysay Ave.-Pines City Doctors Hospital.
Four jeepney units from the Baguio Benguet Transport Cooperative were dispatched on April 27 for a 24/7 free ride for health workers until June 30. All health care workers (including medical professionals, utility workers in medical centers/clinics/hospitals and auxiliary work force in the health industry) can avail of the free ride. Present your IDs to be properly identified. Other routes within the Cordillera using other medical/health care facilities/clinics shall follow.
Here’s “Home” by Gabriel Baban Keith, “Don’t ask me, friend,/ where is home?/ I don’t know/ where home is/ anymore./ It’s funny./ I now get lost in a place/ I once knew like/ the back of/ my hand./ I’m now a stranger in my Ibaloy/ ancestors’ land./ It’s true./ The Baguio I once knew/ died long ago it/ seems./ The Baguio I still love/ lives only in my/ dreams.”
Let’s end with a prayer: “Dear Lord, I come humbly before You asking You to heal me in every area of my life. I give You my heart in faith that You can make me whole praise Your name. Jesus, I believe that You are my healer and redeemer! I love You, Jesus. Amen”
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to bless and keep us all safe.
