CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #32- The Role of Security During the Pandemic

April 12, 2020, Saturday

You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.

– Rahn Emanuel

In Kuwait, the Ministry of Health announced 80 new COVID-19 cases with no additional recoveries. This brings to a total tally of 1234 cases with 142 recovered cases. Within the latest cases, one was related to travel, with it being a Kuwaiti national who went to the United Kingdom.

Seventy-one of them had contact with confirmed cases with 2 being Kuwaiti nationals, 42 cases of Indian residents, nine instances of Bangladeshi residents, 2 cases of Pakistani residents, six instances of Iranian residents, 2 Nepali residents, 4 Egyptians residents, 1 Syrian, 1 Portuguese and 2 Filipino residents. Eight are currently under investigation with three cases Kuwaiti nationals, two, and Egyptian residents. One thousand and ninety-one patients are presently receiving medical treatment, while 29 are in the intensive care unit, and no additional coronavirus deaths were recorded. Compared to yesterday’s report, the new number of cases decreased. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic persists in the country, the presence and role of security personnel in maintaining the peace and order in the streets has played a significant role in helping stem the tide of infections. This was done by restricting travel to a bare minimum, maintaining checkpoints at specified entry and exit points, implementing quarantine measures, and apprehending quarantine violators.

Today marks the 32^nd day of the quarantine and the 22^nd day of curfew, and because of the hard work that the police and other security personnel have played in helping the government in its fight against the pandemic, Deputy Minister, Minister of Interior and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh expressed that he is both proud and thankful of the hard work done by Kuwaiti security.

He also expresses his dismay towards those unscrupulous individuals seeking to put the Ministry’s good name in a negative light due to their illegal acts. Since then, he has issued a ministerial decision to suspend an officer who was suspected of participating in crimes of human trafficking. All the persons in question have already been detained and have been referred to Public Prosecution. The information coming from the reports of these investigations have already been verified by the relevant authorities and have been discovered to be under the sponsorship of a company registered under activities classified under “security and private guards” whose headquarters are located along the Tunis Street in Hawalii.

Today, a Kuwaiti Air Force plane containing medical and logistical supplies from Bangladesh has arrived in the country. This operation was a part of the Kuwait Government’s initiative to further strengthen its capabilities in fighting the pandemic and ensuring that medical supplies and personal protective equipment for front line workers such as doctors and nursing staff do not go into a shortage.

This Sunday, the Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah conducted a meeting with the other ministers such as Chair of the Directorate General for Civil Aviation Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, Chair of Kuwait Airways Yousef Al-Sagr, Health Minister Sheikh Dr. Basel Humod  Hamad Al-Sabah and the representatives of foreign and health affairs. The meeting was held at the Seif Palace. They discussed matters concerning the coordination of the relevant authorities and departments, especially the repatriation of Kuwaiti residents who have been stranded in a number of countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Violations During Quarantine

As we sit in our homes during this quarantine eagerly waiting for the daily news and continually looking for updates of the COVID-19 situation online, it is crucial that we remind ourselves to be responsible netizens and avoid the dissemination of fake news. As responsible individuals, we must hold ourselves accountable for our actions, be mindful of everything we share online, and always think before we click to prevent any legal damage that may arise due to our negligence.

The Ministry of Interior has since then decided to push forward the investigation of an account on social media that fabricated a supposed report by the government to stop the renewal of the residency of immigrants over forty years old. Such news was later determined to be false, and now the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh has issued instructions to apprehend and enforce legal action to those found guilty of spreading fake news and rumors.

Updates from the Philippine Embassy In the Philippines, the Department of Health announced 197 new COVID-19 cases with fifty additional deaths and forty recoveries. It brings to a total tally of 4,648 with 297 fatalities and 197 recovered incidents. Compared to yesterday’s report, the new number of cases decreased.

Today marks one of the most important feasts in the life of every Catholic in the world, and it is with jubilation that the Philippine Embassy wishes our Christian brothers and sisters in the Philippines, Kuwait, and all over the world a blessed celebration of Easter during this pandemic.

The President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte also wishes good fortune and a meaningful Easter celebration to every Filipino both abroad and in the Philippines. He trusts this celebration would give us the opportunity to forgive others and inspire not only ourselves but also others to live a life full of humility and gratitude to the Lord with further acts of kindness and charity to our families, friends, and to the people most in need.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected not only the lives of millions of people around the globe but also the way with which we Christians celebrate Easter. In order to protect our lives and those of the people around us, we cannot go to churches or participate in religious gatherings and resound the halls of our communities with hymns and liturgies expressing our joy for the Resurrection of the Lord. In fact, many of our Filipino brothers and sisters worldwide are losing their jobs and live in fear and uncertainty, isolation, and even the loss of family members because of the virus. My heart goes out to those who have lost so much in this crisis, yet despite all these misfortunes, we must remember in our hearts that the message of Easter is one that speaks of love, courage, and hope.

As we are confronted with the pandemic’s challenges today, we must always be united in our wishes and prayers for a better future. The message of compassion and kindness persists even today as our respective governments do everything in their power to protect us from this pandemic and ensure that everyone is home safely and well provided.

The message of Christ from all those past millennia persists even today and has never been more relevant, especially during this crisis. Easter is a reminder and encouragement that God in Christ continues to love and care for the whole world, overcoming death with life, conquering fear, and uncertainty with hope.

Sapagka’t gayon na lamang ang pagsinta ng Dios sa sanglibutan, na ibinigay niya ang kaniyang bugtong na Anak, upang ang sinomang sa kaniya’y sumampalataya ay huwag mapahamak, kundi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan.

Juan 3:16

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A multi-award-winning blogger and advocate for OFWs and investment literacy; recipient of the Mass Media Advocacy Award, Philippine Expat Blog Award, and Most Outstanding Balikbayan Award. Her first book, The Global Filipino Bloggers OFW Edition, was launched at the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait. A certified Registered Financial Planner of the Philippines specializing in the Stock Market. A recognized author of the National Book Development Board of the Philippines. Co-founder of Teachers Specialist Organization in Kuwait (TSOK) and Filipino Bloggers in Kuwait (FBK). An international member of writing and poetry. Published more than 10 books.  Read more: About DiaryNiGracia