My younger brother, who is in Spain, suffered a mild stroke the other day. His doctors reported that the medical intervention was successful, although they still have to assess the attack’s effect on his body. I remember asking him a few days ago whether he had already been vaccinated against Covid-19. He joked that, unlike me, he is not yet a senior citizen that in the Philippines is given preference in inoculation. He obviously wasn’t prepared for the other kinds of illnesses that strike us when we get older.
My other younger brother, who is in Asturias town here in Cebu, was hit by a mild stroke in the early days of the pandemic. He is younger than me but older than my brother who is in Spain. My younger brothers are what our elders refer to as “yayong.” One was born in January and the other was born in December of the same year. The older one is still rehabbing from the effects of the stroke that affected half of his body.
I too suffered a medical scare or two the past few months because of a problematic blood pressure. The last one happened after I got my second Sinovac jab, when my blood pressure acted up and my doctor tried another brand of medication. I suffered palpitation and almost got admitted to the intensive care unit. My battle with hypertension continues, meaning that Covid-19 should not be our only concern.
Although in the list of concerns, the spread of the coronavirus is still on top. That is why I agree with Cebuano doctors who wanted the government to take the side of caution, especially with the new variants of the virus posing a threat everywhere. Just one variant able to enter here would be disastrous. One particular variant already devastated India.
It’s good that medical care in Spain is good but still having a stroke is worrisome. So should other recurring illnesses be a concern like dengue, especially for children. I know our health department is not neglecting the other campaigns just because it already has its hands full with Covid-19.
And our government officials should continue to make sure that priorities are set. It’s not good, for example, for them to prioritize preparations for the next elections and neglect the tasks they are mandated to do like ensuring that virus “superspreader” events won’t happen in their jurisdictions. The Department of the Interior and Local Government or DILG already called out a barangay captain in Cebu City in this regard. That barangay captain wants to run for a higher post next year.
Health is still the main issue for all of us. To loosen up on this would be wrong. To act like life has gone back to normal is wrong. That is why my relatives and friends find me a bit of a killjoy because of my refusal to go out of the house and enjoy life like the virus is already gone. This is not just about Covid-19 but also about other health concerns. This is what the “new normal” is about, when health concerns take precedence over many other things.