Privileged and entitled

SEN. Aquilino Pimentel 3rd knew he was a person under investigation (PUI). On March 14, 2020, he already exhibited symptoms such as fever, slight sore throat, body pains and diarrhea — signs of possible coronavirus infection. He had himself tested on March 20. He should have been under self-quarantine. At the time, the entire Luzon had already been placed under lockdown. But, this senator of the Republic broke the rules and went to the Makati Medical Center to accompany his pregnant wife, who was about to give birth, before getting his test results, from which he learned on March 24 he was positive. He was a walking virus carrier to everyone with whom he mingled.

Ordinary citizens are told to follow rules. We are asked to confine ourselves in our own homes even if we have no history of travel to coronavirus-infested areas and no record of contact with an infected person. We are told to give up many of our pleasures and conveniences. Some of us are even asked to sacrifice our livelihoods, particularly those who earn daily wages or whose income are dependent on the mobility of crowds and the free movement of people such as drivers and ambulant vendors. We line up early to buy our groceries and prescription medicines during shortened store hours. Some us walk long distances, some as far as from Alabang in Muntinlupa City to Camarines Sur in Bicol. Some roads we take are barricaded, forcing us to go back or take a longer route.