The life of a seafarer may be filled with the kind of adventure and excitement of which their land-based counterparts can only dream. On the other hand, that exciting life is also beset with dangers, threats and uncertainties, of which land-based workers have no first-hand knowledge.
The year 2019, however, ended with a challenge that is still confronting all of us — sea-based and land-based workers, Filipinos and foreigners, young and old alike. That challenge goes by the name Covid-19. It was reported on February 11 that the virus has now claimed more lives and infected more people than the SARS outbreak did in 2003. It has also spread to at least 26 countries outside China.