CORONAVIRUS DIARIES: Day #95 – Constant Assistance and Preventive Operations for All

June 14, 2020

“Success isn’t always about greatness. It is about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.”

Dwayne Johnson

The COVID-19 pandemic still has not reached its end yet. Every affected country continues to fight the threat and effects brought by the disease. However, we also continue to improve day by day. Our unceasing teamwork and unity against the coronavirus can be our primary weapon against it.

In Kuwait, the Ministry of Health announced 454 new COVID-19 cases with seven additional deaths and 877 recoveries. It brings to a total record of 35,920 cases, with 296 fatalities and 26,759 recovered cases. Within the new cases, 193 are Kuwait citizens, 68 are Egyptian residents, 41 are Indian residents, and 35 are Bangladeshi residents. In the governorates,  there are 153 cases in Al Farwaniya, 107 in Al Jahra, 88 in Al Ahmadi, 66 in Hawally, and 40 in the Capital. Among the residential areas, Al Farwaniya has the highest number of cases with 34 cases. Compared to yesterday’s report, the new number of cases decreased.

The Situation of the Country’s Cooperative Establishments

Our brave employees in our cooperative societies continue to contract the infectious COVID-19 disease. In the Farwaniya Cooperative Society, 42 of their employees tested positive for coronavirus infection. According to the associations’ board of directors, they managed to identify the infected employees due to their coordination with the Ministry of Health in taking comprehensive staff surveys. Therefore, they declared the closure of all its branches tonight for proper sterilization to be conducted.

The Fahad Al-Ahmed Cooperative Society experienced the same as 34 of their employees tested positive after performing smear tests. All of its grocery branches and gas branches, as well as its cooperative market, will be closed. They will resume their operations on Monday of June 15, 2020. 

Another video shows the National Guards sterilizing the Qortuba Cooperative Society. It can be saddening to know that more cooperative employees are getting infected by the coronavirus disease. However, I am relieved that the authorities are doing their best to prevent further transmission between these establishments. Regular sterilization can be very useful to disinfect the possible contaminants of the COVID-19 disease.

Ethiopians Returning Home

 The Kuwait authorities successfully sent the third batch of Ethiopian returnees to Addis Ababa. In the photos below, it shows the immense happiness of the Ethiopians as they reach back home. It feels so good if one can return to their homeland. I commend the efforts of the Kuwait government in sending them back to their country. 

Unceasing Bread Distribution for the Community

The Red Crescent Society continues the distribution of food baskets from yesterday. Today, they distributed food baskets to the residents in Hawally. On the other hand, the authorities also conducted bread distribution in Khaitan.

 I am glad that the bread and food distributions in the community keep coming. It is an excellent help to all the citizens and residents, who lack food in their daily meals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The existence of food is very crucial in surviving the critical situation of ours. With this, I hope that every people will value the importance of food during these times.

According to the authorities, the region of Hawally shows positive indicators placing it among the first candidates where its imposed restrictions will be eased. The area may soon return to the new normal.  Within the candidates, it is followed by Farwaniya and Khaitan.

Today marks the 15^th day of the government’s first-phase plan. I thank all the government’s efforts in effectively handling the COVID-19 situation of the country. They always cared for its citizens and residents as they think of more innovative ways of protecting and serving them. For that, I hope that each of us remains safe as we return to the new normal of our society.  

Public Advisory in Kuwait

 The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait released another public advisory regarding the updates of the mandatory quarantine and case investigation of the arriving Filipinos in the Philippines. It entails the reminders that all Overseas Filipinos are obliged to undergo COVID-19 testing and mandatory quarantine when they arrive in the country. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will pay the accommodation cost of the government-designated quarantine centers for land-based OFWs. In contrast, the local manning agency or the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will pay for the sea-based OFWs.

 If the Filipinos who return are not OFWs, they can choose from the list of government-approved quarantine centers. However, it is at their own expense. To access the updated list of the quarantine centers designed for non-OFWs, click here for the link.

They advised the returning non-OFWs to take the PCR test of our health authorities in Kuwait before leaving Kuwait.

Additionally, they require all Overseas Filipinos to complete their Case Investigation For (CIF) before arriving in the Philippines. If an individual is traveling to the Philippines, the authorities will request them to fill out their CIF by vising this link http://ecif.redcross.com.ph/. Click here to access it.

After that, they must save a screenshot or print the QR code, which will appear after submitting their CIF. Upon arriving at the Philippine Airport, the health authorities will inspect the QR Code. 

Lastly, the Embassy advised the Filipino community in Kuwait to contact their preferred travel or airline agency for their flight booking if they wish to fly back home. For the Kuwait-based Filipinos, the Embassy reiterates the continuous closure of the inbound commercial flights in the Kuwait International Airport.

Shifting the Quarantine Classifications of the Region

The country of the Philippines hit nearly the 26K mark of COVID-19 cases. With its increasing number of cases, President Rodrigo Duterte came up with three options for the implemented measures in Metro Manila and Cebu by June 16, 2020. According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the three options include retaining the general community quarantine (GCQ) in both of the specified areas, placing both regions in the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) with the least stringency, or return them to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) but with less stringency. 

As of now, the Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that the progress of vaccines and therapeutics in the US is getting better. The US government is also very willing to share their knowledge and the possible medical cure to the disease with the Philippines. DND Secretary Lorenza and his US counterpart Mark Esper discussed it through their conversation via telephone call last June 12, 2020.

Secretary Lorenzana took that opportunity to share the country’s response against the COVID-19 pandemic and to express his gratitude for the US government’s medical assistance and donations of medical supplies. With this, both countries coordinate with one another as we face the threat of coronavirus.

 It is excellent that the Philippines are coordinating with other countries in fighting the COVID-19 disease. In this, we can take our lesson that we should work with each other to succeed in our goals. For this, I commend the Philippine government for its worldwide coordination.

“Dahil ang tunay na umiibig sa Dios ay sumusunod sa kanyang utos, at hindi naman mahirap sundin ang kanyang mga utos. Sapagkat ang bawat anak ng Dios ay nagtatagumpay laban sa mundo. Napagtatagumpayan niya ito sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya.”

1 Juan 5:3-4 ASND

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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