If what is meant to be communicated is the need to observe a certain amount of physical distance (e.g., 1 meter) from other individuals in order to lessen the likelihood of transmitting an infectious disease, a less confusing term might have been more appropriate. For example: “safe distancing” or “hygienic distancing” or “protective distancing.” Long … Read more
What were the people in charge of Malacañang’s communications office thinking last Thursday evening when they made President Duterte announce the lockdown of Metro Manila — with uniformed police generals seated behind him? Clearly, it was their way of saying this is henceforth a peace and order issue. Indeed, Mr. Duterte said so himself at … Read more
Less than two months after Chinese authorities acknowledged the emergence of an infectious outbreak from an unknown coronavirus in the city of Wuhan in central China, the world is witnessing an explosion of effects never before seen in this century. The disturbance produced by this phenomenon is complex and difficult to predict. Society is reacting … Read more
People like listening to President Duterte because, unlike other politicians, he is easy to understand. They rarely need to guess what he’s saying. He speaks his mind out, and offers no excuses for doing so. He doesn’t appear to care if what he says is morally offensive or contrary to law. People may disagree with … Read more
This week marks the 34th year of the historic 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution. It is also the fourth time President Duterte is, according to his spokesperson, staying home — consciously ignoring whatever significance the event may still hold for some Filipinos. Still, Edsa, by law, is a public holiday. Regardless of what the current … Read more
Over the last three decades, many of us took comfort in the belief that the Constitution that was crafted and ratified in the aftermath of the 1986 People Power Revolution will never again permit any would-be autocrat to use any of its provisions to override the rule of law. How illusory that belief has proven … Read more
The other side of panic is indifference or naive reassurance in the face of what appears to be a serious threat or grave danger. This may often be the result of a lack of appreciation of the risk involved, or of a wish not to cause public alarm, or of something more selfish — like … Read more
Until early this week, the World Health Organization hesitated to call the new coronavirus infection that first broke out in Wuhan City, China, as more than a health emergency limited to one country or region. But, last Thursday, Jan. 30, in the face of its appearance in at least 18 other countries, and its rapid … Read more
The real threat posed by emergent infectious diseases like the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which first appeared last December in China’s Wuhan City and is now causing global concern, is not that it is deadlier than other known viruses or bacteria. It is rather that while the principal carriers of these diseases—human beings—now travel faster and … Read more
Taal Volcano, which has been showing signs of an imminent eruption after spewing a huge column of stones, ash, and sulphuric steam last Sunday, and Mount Pinatubo, which in 1991 produced the most powerful volcanic eruption of the 20th century, are a study in contrast. Taal is one of the two (the other being majestic … Read more