Duterte's Presidency : Expectations, Controversies, Rants, Etc.

[camiar]

This is where Duterte's talk about decentralizing the economy is exposed for what it truly is -- just talk. Without the economic engine provided by Manila, Cebu, etc. our economy is going to sink into the toilet.

 

Meanwhile, other countries that used their lockdown to actually do something like mass testing are now re-opening. The Filipino people continue to pay the price for this incompetence.

Mass testing will not lower the infection rate. Lockdown will.

 

Mass testing is just one of the tools to identify more patients to isolate and treat. It can also be used to validate the effectiveness of the lockdown.

Which covid-19 affected country, who is doing mass testing, is now re-opening? Check your facts before blustering.

[asongitim4]

Mass testing will not lower the infection rate. Lockdown will.

 

Mass testing is just one of the tools to identify more patients to isolate and treat. It can also be used to validate the effectiveness of the lockdown.

Which covid-19 affected country, who is doing mass testing, is now re-opening? Check your facts before blustering.

Asian countries such as South Korea and Taiwan have put in place systems of mass testing and have begun to ease social distancing restrictions. The health care infrastructure is there because the governments of these countries recognize that the coronavirus problem is not going away any time soon. Citizens will be required to wear masks and avoid large public gathering even as businesses re-open, but measures are in place in case of another outbreak.

 

This is the sort of realistic, science-based approach I was hoping for from our government. Instead we have extended lockdowns which are becomingly increasingly restrictive. Instead of the government using the initial lockdown period to prepare Filipinos for the 'new normal' of masks and avoidance of mass gatherings, we have instead been given a series of rolling lockdowns that have pushed people to the breaking point. Based on some of the comments of MTCers in other threads, they plan to cut loose and celebrate when the 2 months of lockdown finally end. That's likely to result in a second wave, which will probably result in a never-ending series of lockdowns.

 

Like many Filipinos, I used to support Duterte, but his rambling and blustering response to the coronavirus has turned me against him. His repeated threats of imposing martial law are just adding insult to injury.

 

History will determine whether the lockdown strategy was effective or not in actually lowering the infection rate, or in setting the stage for more deaths when a second wave hits. If the latter, then political leaders like Duterte must face the fall-out over the fact that they destroyed the economy over little to no public health care gains.

Edited April 25, 2020 by asongitim4

[camiar]

Asian countries such as South Korea and Taiwan have put in place systems of mass testing and have begun to ease social distancing restrictions. The health care infrastructure is there because the governments of these countries recognize that the coronavirus problem is not going away any time soon. Citizens will be required to wear masks and avoid large public gathering even as businesses re-open, but measures are in place in case of another outbreak.

 

This is the sort of realistic, science-based approach I was hoping for from our government. Instead we have extended lockdowns which are becomingly increasingly restrictive. Instead of the government using the initial lockdown period to prepare Filipinos for the 'new normal' of masks and avoidance of mass gatherings, we have instead been given a series of rolling lockdowns that have pushed people to the breaking point. Based on some of the comments of MTCers in other threads, they plan to cut loose and celebrate when the 2 months of lockdown finally end. That's likely to result in a second wave, which will probably result in a never-ending series of lockdowns.

 

Like many Filipinos, I used to support Duterte, but his rambling and blustering response to the coronavirus has turned me against him. His repeated threats of imposing martial law are just adding insult to injury.

 

History will determine whether the lockdown strategy was effective or not in actually lowering the infection rate, or in setting the stage for more deaths when a second wave hits. If the latter, then political leaders like Duterte must face the fall-out over the fact that they destroyed the economy over little to no public health care gains.

 

 

Ang tanong ko lang, which country doing mass testing, is now re-opening? Ang haba ng sagot mo, pero hindi mo pa rin nasagot.

 

You say Duterte government is incompetent in this covid fight, but you yourself say that history will determine whether his government's lockdown strategy was effective.

 

We are still in the middle of the crisis. Wait for enough factual data before blustering.

 

FYI:

Comparison of currently available statisitcal data with other heavily-hit countries seems to show that the strategies being taken by the Philippine government is helping flatten the curve.

Edited April 25, 2020 by camiar

[asongitim4]

 

 

Ang tanong ko lang, which country doing mass testing, is now re-opening? Ang haba ng sagot mo, pero hindi mo pa rin nasagot.

 

You say Duterte government is incompetent in this covid fight, but you yourself say that history will determine whether his government's lockdown strategy was effective.

 

We are still in the middle of the crisis. Wait for enough factual data before blustering.

 

FYI:

Comparison of currently available statisitcal data with other heavily-hit countries seems to show that the strategies being taken by the Philippine government is helping flatten the curve.

 

Example of mass testing that paved the way for re-opening or prevention of strict lockdowns to begin with -

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-18/seoul-s-full-cafes-apple-store-lines-show-mass-testing-success

 

https://www.euronews.com/2020/04/20/coronavirus-germany-reopens-small-shops-as-it-seeks-to-avoid-on-off-lockdown-situation

 

You say to wait for factual data, but then mention current statistical data which may be less than accurate -- outside of China and the WHO, for example, there is a lot of skepticism regarding the figures coming out of China.

 

What this crisis has shown are those countries where the leaders just turn to knee-jerk reactions, and those that actually rely on scientists to find solutions. Sweden's coronavirus strategy of resisting the herd mentality and locking down everything is controversial, for example, but it's been spearheaded by an epidemiologist who has a strategy in place.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52395866

[camiar]

 

Example of mass testing that paved the way for re-opening or prevention of strict lockdowns to begin with -

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-18/seoul-s-full-cafes-apple-store-lines-show-mass-testing-success

 

https://www.euronews.com/2020/04/20/coronavirus-germany-reopens-small-shops-as-it-seeks-to-avoid-on-off-lockdown-situation

 

You say to wait for factual data, but then mention current statistical data which may be less than accurate -- outside of China and the WHO, for example, there is a lot of skepticism regarding the figures coming out of China.

 

What this crisis has shown are those countries where the leaders just turn to knee-jerk reactions, and those that actually rely on scientists to find solutions. Sweden's coronavirus strategy of resisting the herd mentality and locking down everything is controversial, for example, but it's been spearheaded by an epidemiologist who has a strategy in place.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52395866

A few cafes opening to customers does not mean they are re-opening the economy. You're grasping at straws.

 

Admittedly, Korea has succeeded in using technology in its fight against covid. But it is not reopening. It still averages over a hundred new cases of covid infections everyday, just like in the Philippines. They won't re-open any time soon.

 

Early in March some people prematurely praised Singapore for its "successful" handling of the virus epidemic. They judged too early. The recent surge of infections put the small island city among countries with the highest number of infected cases in Southeast Asia. 13,000 infected among 5.6 million population, that's 2,300 infection cases per million population. Compare that with the Philippines' 7,300 out of 104 million, which is 70 per million population.

 

You have been unfair in saying our government is incompetent in handling this crisis. You judge them without even waiting for the crisis to pan out. And yet even if you look at the initial figures today, you'd see that our government is not doing so bad.

 

Just look at the US and compare. Almost 900,000 infected. That's about 2,700 infected cases per million population. Their President is so desperate and so out of touch with reality that he recommends injecting patients with Chlorox to treat them. Now that's incompetence if you ask me.

Edited April 25, 2020 by camiar

[camiar]

What this crisis has shown are those countries where the leaders just turn to knee-jerk reactions, and those that actually rely on scientists to find solutions. Sweden's coronavirus strategy of resisting the herd mentality and locking down everything is controversial, for example, but it's been spearheaded by an epidemiologist who has a strategy in place.

 

Dito, natawa talaga ako.

 

What "strategy of resisting herd mentality and locking down everything..." are you talking about???

 

Sweden's government is trying to achieve "HERD IMMUNITY" by allowing the virus to spread naturally to the population, such that if at least 70% of the population catches the virus, and assuming 95% to 98% of the infected survive, the entire population would eventually develop herd immunity against the virus.

 

Therefore, Sweden does not impose lockdowns.

 

It is an entirely different strategy from what most other countries are doing. Again, like in all countries, it's too early to say if the strategy is sound. But many Swedish doctors are questioning the strategy.

 

The United Kingdom initially considered using the Herd Immunity strategy, but abandoned the idea after considering that in doing so, the surge in number of people getting infected might overwhelm their health care system.

Edited April 25, 2020 by camiar

[asongitim4]

Dito, natawa talaga ako.

 

What "strategy of resisting herd mentality and locking down everything..." are you talking about???

 

Sweden's government is trying to achieve "HERD IMMUNITY" by allowing the virus to spread naturally to the population, such that if at least 70% of the population catches the virus, and assuming 95% to 98% of the infected survive, the entire population would eventually develop herd immunity against the virus.

 

Therefore, Sweden does not impose lockdowns.

 

It is an entirely different strategy from what most other countries are doing. Again, like in all countries, it's too early to say if the strategy is sound. But many Swedish doctors are questioning the strategy.

 

The United Kingdom initially considered using the Herd Immunity strategy, but abandoned the idea after considering that in doing so, the surge in number of people getting infected might overwhelm their health care system.

Ooops. That was a typo. It was supposed to be 'not locking down' everything.

 

As for the countries that have implemented mass testing, calling it more than a few cafes re-opening is deliberately misleading.

 

It's a limited re-opening of the economy, but these countries already ahead of the curve when it comes to the new normal -- Taiwan is making hand washing a required protocol in schools, glass shields are being put in place to separate customers in restaurants, etc.

 

This is where I believe our government has failed in dramatic fashion. The initial one-month lockdown was a necessary first step, and I was still supportive of the government at that point. But it became clear to me that the time it bought for us was frittered away. No plans were developed, no protocols put in place, de nada. Instead, we had an extension, followed by another extension. I am still waiting to hear what guidelines businesses must meet before they re-open, if such guidelines are actually put into place.

 

And why bring up Trump? Just because the Americans have a buffoon for a leader doesn't mean we don't have one too.

[lee sawyer]

Just look at the US and compare. Almost 900,000 infected. That's about 2,700 infected cases per million population. Their President is so desperate and so out of touch with reality that he recommends injecting patients with Chlorox to treat them. Now that's incompetence if you ask me.

Did he actually recommend injecting patients with "chlorox"? Disinfectant doesn't mean it's "chlrox." A disinfectant is a chemical liquid that destroys bacteria which is the definition of the dictionary. Of course, doctors won't inject disinfectants like chlorox in the body. They will inject a disinfectant that the body can take.

Edited April 26, 2020 by lee sawyer

[Kingkongphils]

Actually what is happening today is not normal. Even the best educated leaders namromroblema. In my opinion the presidents decisions are not perfect and may not always be right but it could easily be the best decisions.. Sadyang mareklamo lng ang mga Pilipino.

[roextreme.com]

Along with other world leaders, they're all facing a crisis.

[camiar]

Did he actually recommend injecting patients with "chlorox"? Disinfectant doesn't mean it's "chlrox." A disinfectant is a chemical liquid that destroys bacteria which is the definition of the dictionary. Of course, doctors won't inject disinfectants like chlorox in the body. They will inject something that the body can take.

Trump really made a huge boo-boo with his hilarious disinfectant prescription. His spin doctors are having a hard time explaining away this one.

 

Trump's "news managers" immediate attempt to spin Trump's statement was to try telling the public that their president was just being sarcastic. But those who were listening to him can tell he was dead serious.

 

"Disinfectant" is a very well understood word in the US. Americans with elementary education know that "disinfectants" are not to be ingested because they are toxic to the body.

 

His idea of "shining a UV Light" inside the body to k*ll the virus is just as hilarious as his disinfectant injection. But that concept is more to the high school level. Every American high school student learn the Sun's UV rays k*ll virus and bacteria. They also learn that the melanin in our skin protects us from harmful effects of UV rays. But if you shine UV rays on the body's internal organs, its cells will die. You might as well inject disinfectant to k*ll the patient faster.

 

I can tolerate an elementary or high school student making gross misconceptions of such ideas, but not the POTUS.

[lee sawyer]

Trump really made a huge boo-boo with his hilarious disinfectant prescription. His spin doctors are having a hard time explaining away this one.

 

Trump's "news managers" immediate attempt to spin Trump's statement was to try telling the public that their president was just being sarcastic. But those who were listening to him can tell he was dead serious.

 

"Disinfectant" is a very well understood word in the US. Americans with elementary education know that "disinfectants" are not to be ingested because they are toxic to the body.

 

His idea of "shining a UV Light" inside the body to k*ll the virus is just as hilarious as his disinfectant injection. But that concept is more to the high school level. Every American high school student learn the Sun's UV rays k*ll virus and bacteria. They also learn that the melanin in our skin protects us from harmful effects of UV rays. But if you shine UV rays on the body's internal organs, its cells will die. You might as well inject disinfectant to k*ll the patient faster.

 

I can tolerate an elementary or high school student making gross misconceptions of such ideas, but not the POTUS.

He was suggesting something which he probably heard from the medical experts he talked to regarding the covid. In chemotherapy, don't you put chemicals in the body too?

[camiar]

Ooops. That was a typo. It was supposed to be 'not locking down' everything.

 

As for the countries that have implemented mass testing, calling it more than a few cafes re-opening is deliberately misleading.

 

It's a limited re-opening of the economy, but these countries already ahead of the curve when it comes to the new normal -- Taiwan is making hand washing a required protocol in schools, glass shields are being put in place to separate customers in restaurants, etc.

 

 

Hindi ako sa "locking down everything" natawa.

 

Natawa ako sa realization that you didn't have any idea what Sweden's "Herd Immunity" strategy really meant.

 

You thought it was "herd mentality"?

Edited April 26, 2020 by camiar

[camiar]

 

This is where I believe our government has failed in dramatic fashion. The initial one-month lockdown was a necessary first step, and I was still supportive of the government at that point. But it became clear to me that the time it bought for us was frittered away. No plans were developed, no protocols put in place, de nada. Instead, we had an extension, followed by another extension. I am still waiting to hear what guidelines businesses must meet before they re-open, if such guidelines are actually put into place.

 

And why bring up Trump? Just because the Americans have a buffoon for a leader doesn't mean we don't have one too.

Why I bring up Trump?

 

Because you keep insisting that our government is incompetent in handling just on the basis of their extension of the ECQ. Halata tuloy na di ka nakikinig sa government directives. Sinasabi nila palagi na puedeng ma-extend and Quarantive, depende sa infection rate statistics. Consistent naman sila sa decision making. Hindi mo lang naiintindihan ang reasons for extending the lockdown.

 

Do you know that at the start of the outbreak, our country's covid-disease reproduction number (the average number of people a person can infect) was 1.5 . As of April 17, it is down to 0.65. Our doubling rate (how many days it takes for confirmed cases to double) in the beginning was 4 days, now it's 16 days! That's how you tell if we're flattening the curve. That's the effect of quarantine, and constant reminder to the people to do social distancing, washing of hands, and wearing of masks.

 

And you still think our government failed? Compare this with what's happening in the US, and you'll see what government failure in handling covid pandemic really means.

Edited April 26, 2020 by camiar

[ChesterMolester]

M.