Coronavirus, COVID-19
CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #67 – Maintaining One’s Perseverance in Times of Trial
May 17, 2020, Sunday
“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
Thomas Edison
The crisis caused by the COVID-19 disease continues across different nations. As the precautionary health guidelines imposed by the governments remain consistent, the threat of the pandemic is slowly controlled. In Kuwait, the Ministry of Health has confirmed 1,048 new COVID-19 cases with five deaths and 250 recoveries in this Sunday of March 17, 2020. It brings to a total of 14, 850 cases with 112 deaths and 4,093 recovered cases.
Within the new cases, 242 are Indian residents, 242 are Kuwait citizens, 238 are Egyptian residents, and 53 are Bangladeshi residents. In the governorates, there are 319 cases in Farwaniya, 288 in Hawally, 196 in Ahmadi, 142 in the Capital, and 103 in Jahra. Among the residential areas, Hawally ranks the highest with 104 cases. Currently, there are 10,465 active cases in the country. Compared to yesterday, the new number of cases has increased.
The Minister of Municipal Affairs has instructed the public to stop the appointing of expatriates in the municipality. It is affirmed to support and provide job opportunities for Kuwait citizens in the implementation of the replacement policy.
It is a good move by the government. It is the right thing to do to provide employment to their fellow citizens first. If there are specific sectors that they cannot work on, then that would be the time to hire other nationals in the country. Like the other countries, their beloved citizens should be their first preference before the other nationals. Due to the decreased number of expatriates, there are many vacant positions that the Kuwait citizens need to replace.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health has announced to the public that they will be conducting random COVID-19 tests on 180 individuals. The chosen individuals will receive a text message informing the location, date, and time of the test.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health has published the steps about the random tests that they will be conducting. The examination is based on choosing an equal number between both genders. The participants must be at least 18 years old to 70 years old. The 180 individuals will come from all six governorates. The individuals are chosen randomly through their phone numbers. If chosen, they will receive a text message informing them of the place, date, and time of the examination. To obtain the permit during the time of the ban, one can register in this link https://curfew.paci.gov.kw/request/create.
In my opinion, this is the right decision by the Ministry to determine the actual cases of COVID-19 cases in the country. Conducting these random tests may be an alternative than the proposed mass testing. I still do not know the exact reason behind this. However, they may have implemented it to save medical resources used for testing. If this strategy is proven effective, then they have made the right choice.
In this period of lockdown, one must be aware of false news and information. It is reported that fake messages have circulated among the community. The fake message asks for the details of the receiver’s bank accounts. However, the truth is that is doesn’t require one. The website service is applicable for workers in the private sector by Article 18 of the bachelors and bachelorettes category and category of families. One can still apply for food baskets, but bank details are not needed.
The two electronic trading links are circulated in the community. One of the links is intended for the needy families in which they have registered it. They are the families who need different financial aids such as cut financial aid, rent assistance, satisfactory assistance, and other more. Through the given link, it is possible to determine whether the family has received support from their charities with their specified value and type.
The second link is dedicated to the workers residing in the State of Kuwait by Article 18. It is connected to the General Authority for Civil Information. Each worker can register in it combined with six other individuals in which they are given baskets of food. These food baskets will be delivered to them according to their registered address.
For me, this platform is very useful to the community. The citizens are blessed that the authorities created this platform to avoid famine during the implementation of the lockdown.
In Khaitan, another bread distribution has been conducted. It is distributed for free to the citizens in the area during the period of this lockdown. I am relieved to know that even with the “No Work, No Pay” situation in the country, the citizens are ensured that they are well-fed by the authorities. During this time of distribution, I hope that the citizens who will be receiving them will practice social distancing and other precautionary measures.
During the food distribution in Mahboula, it is evident that a lot of people have flocked together, forming lines. In my opinion, conducting food distribution is a good thing for it keeps the community well-fed during this time of lockdown. However, the process of giving it to the citizens must be changed. It is because many people are still not practicing the precautionary guidelines.
Another posted video shows a number of people walking in the streets in Farwaniya. Even with their face masks on, it is still evident that physical distancing is still not practiced among the citizens in the area.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior has poured its efforts at the Farwaniya governorate. Bread distribution has been conducted for the citizens in the area as well as gas cylinders. Farwaniya has one of the highest COVID-19 cases in the country. The security department has strengthened its forces in the area as they continue to check any violators against the guidelines. Despite the high risk of contracting the disease, the authorities continue to serve in the community as they ensure citizens’ welfare and safety. For that, I give my thanks to these hardworking people.
Moreover, the National Guard has sterilized the establishment of Nuzha, Khaldiya Cooperative Society. The authorities are doing an excellent job of disinfecting these establishments since many employees are infected with the COVID-19 disease. It is one of the places where one can contract the virus. It is because many people visit these cooperatives to buy their essential commodities and goods.
It is also reported that a Customs employee has died of COVID-19 infection. His name is Badr Abdel Ghaffar. He is another hero to me as his service has contributed to the welfare of the country. He died not only because he contracted the virus but also because he chose to serve his nation with the best of his capacity.
In the Philippines, the Department of Health has reported 208 new COVID-19 cases with seven deaths and 74 recoveries. It brings to a total of 12,513 cases, with 824 deaths and 2,635 recovered cases. Within the latest cases, there are 174 cases in the National Capital Region, 1 case in Region 7, and 33 cases from the rest of the provinces in the country. Currently, there are 9,054 active cases in the country. Compared to yesterday, the number of cases has decreased.
As the Philippines’ country shifts under the modified, enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), the business establishments in Makati are required to submit a “notice of reopening” starting this Monday as they will resume their operations. The revival of the Philippines economy is starting this week.
Furthermore, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has announced a warning on all malls which have begun operating under the MECQ guideline to implement stringent physical distancing upon its customers as issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF). Failure to do so will result in its immediate closure. DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Ano said that all Chiefs of Police and PCP Commanders should make rounds on all malls during its operating hours. If these malls are unable to comply with the health standards, they have violated the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.”
Lastly, the general rule in this current period is to stay at home unless essential commodities are needed to be bought or if one is going to work in permitted industries. With this, everyone must abide by the rules as the country continues its fight in flattening its epidemic curve.
Today marks the 55th day of the curfew, 23rd day of the Ramadan, and the 7th day of the total lockdown. Kuwait has a total of 14,850 COVID-19 cases, while the Philippines has 12,513 cases. Both countries continue to persevere as they continue their fight against this pandemic. The consistency of implementing health guidelines is a great challenge for all people. For this, we must discipline ourselves and infuse in our hearts and minds the importance of these health guidelines.
“Ang pagtitiyaga ay nagbubunga ng katatagan, at ang katatagan ay nagbubunga ng pag-asa”
Roma 5:4
The Primary Purpose of my COVID-19 Diaries
CORONAVIRUS: Kuwait OFW Quarantine Diaries – TABLE OF CONTENTS
CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #65 – Seeing the Hope in this Crisis
CORONAVIRUS:KUWAIT OFW QUARANTINE DAY #66 – The Gradual Closing of Cooperatives
If you like this article please share and love my page DIARYNIGRACIA PAGE
Questions, suggestions send me at diarynigracia @ gmail (dot) com
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
Acknowledgements
DISCLAIMER
Peace and love to you.