During a recent drive from Quezon City to Pasig, I spotted about five motorists in different areas on Edsa and on other streets casually spitting. Witnessing such a disgusting sight, I took comfort in having set the air recirculation on, protecting myself from whatever “veerus” that could otherwise enter the car if the air conditioner had been in use.
I also saw some taxi drivers plying the roads without any face mask on. Were they being (prematurely) complacent about wearing face masks because of the plastic partition (most of which are crudely made) inside their taxis? What if a driver sneezed and the aerosol or droplets entered the air-conditioning system and spread throughout the other parts of the vehicle? What’s more, several drivers and passengers also had no face masks on as they drove with their car windows open.
These examples of careless and inconsiderate unsanitary behavior I saw up close made me feel particularly concerned for motorcycle riders. They are easily exposed to all such spitting that may spread the virus. I hope that not only is their gear enough to protect them, but that they, being frontliners as well, also practice the proper way of doffing/removing clothes. Just imagine them going home to their families and unknowingly bringing as “pasalubong” life-threatening diseases absorbed by or stuck to their clothes.
As there are people who at this point have clearly become lackadaisical about health protocols during the pandemic, I hope that the authorities concerned act on this to set violators right. Remind the public to not spit anywhere, and intensify the campaign on hand-washing and the wearing of masks. The reported daily tally of COVID-19-positive cases is still alarming, so we should not (yet) let our guard down. If others don’t wear masks, then let’s protect ourselves by doing so. If you really care for your loved ones, protect them by protecting yourself.
Mary Rose Soriano
paete_fever@yahoo.com