WEEKLY ISSUE @FilAmNewspaper www.filamstar.com

Vol. IX Issue 576 1028 Mission Street, 2/F, San Francisco, CA 94103 Email: [email protected] Tel. (415) 593-5955 or (650) 278-0692 April 23-29, 2020

Alarms raised over new districts in disputed seas, ore loading in By Daniel Llanto FilAm Star Correspondent Virus map from Samar by Chinese ship Facebook CLAIMING that China has been BUSINESS & TECH NEWS | A10 Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash relentless in exploiting the coronavirus pandemic, former Foreign Affairs Sec. Albert del Rosario urged the Philippine government to protest China’s estab- lishment of two new districts to govern the Paracels and Spratlys in the South China Sea. Del Rosario said the announce- ment by the Chinese ministry of civil affairs on April 18 about the establish- ment of new districts in the disputed waters came at a time when the world was busy addressing the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. ‘Devious’ coronavirus ■ TO PAGE A7 HEALTH & LIFESTYLE | A13 Senate urges Health chief resignation despite Duterte backing PH: most number of COVID-19 cases in SE Asia, among least safe countries for COVID-19 Pacquiao-Crawford By Corina Oliquino Sign of the times FilAm Star Correspondent fight could happen SPORTS NEWS | A14 MANILA – Hong Kong-based capital venture firm Deep Knowledge Group’s recent analysis of global pandemic data released last April 12, ranks the $4.5B in OFW Philippines ninth among the riskiest countries to be in during the corona- cash remittance virus pandemic. Globally, Europe is the worst losses projected hit by the COVID-19 pandemic with Italy, Spain and France reporting over Sec. Francisco Duque (Facebook) By Macon Araneta 100,000 infections as of April 15. FilAm Star Correspondent Iran and Ecuador were the risk- By Beting Laygo Dolor iest countries in the Middle East and Contributing Editor THE PHILIPPINES, in a best-case South America, ranking seventh and scenario, will likely lose some $4.5 eighth worldwide. PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte may billion (PHP228 billion) in cash remit- Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, still have his back but a majority tance inflows from migrant Filipino Nepal, Laos, Bangladesh and Indone- of senators insisted last week that workers this year due to the COVID-19 sia joined the Philippines at the “low Health Sec. Francisco Duque should pandemic, the ACTS-OFW Coalition of level,” ranked 20th. resign. Organizations said. Sen. Migz Zubiri was first official to disclose he was positive with COVID-19. Deep Knowledge Group used Inefficient, indecisive and “Without the pandemic, we Fully recovered, he donated his plasma in the hopes that his anti-bodies data from the World Health Organi- negligent were how critics de- expected the aggregate incoming cash may provide clues in finding a cure. (Photo: Macon Araneta) zation, Johns Hopkins University, the scribed Duque but 14 senators said transfers from Filipinos overseas to US Centers for Disease Control and he should resign for his “failure in grow by $1.5 billion (or by five percent) Prevention, Worldometers and other leadership, lack of foresight and this year,” said ACTS-OFW Chairman publicly available sources. transparency.” Aniceto Bertiz III. PH ‘currency appear to be immune While its safety ranking was The senators called for Duque’s “However, on account of the severe based on quarantine efficiency, gov- resignation last April 17 in Senate global economic devastation caused ernment management, monitoring Resolution No. 362 because of his by the pandemic, we now project total to COVID-19 fallout’ – global bank and detection and emergency treat- poor planning, delayed response, By Corina Oliquino Despite its positive assessment, remittances to reach only $27 billion ment readiness. misguided and flip-flopping policies this year, or down by $3 billion from FilAm Star Correspondent Nomura warned the country could be The Group also determined the the next coronavirus hotspot among and measures by the department he $30 billion in 2019, assuming the best risk ranking based on factors such heads in addressing the Covid-19 MANILA – Japan-based investment emerging market (EM) economies and possible outcome,” Bertiz, a former as: infection spread risk, government pandemic. member of Congress, said. bank Nomura said the Philippines is could put the peso at risk. management, healthcare efficiency Nomura said monetary authorities While the Senate resolution was Bertiz said migrant Filipino “unlikely to slip into an exchange rate and regional specific risks. signed by senators belonging to the crisis anytime soon” as the coronavirus of at-risk countries may need to reverse workers in the following sectors around TO PAGE A7 pandemic triggers global recession fears, ■ TO PAGE A7 battering financial markets worldwide. ■ TO PAGE A7 ■ TO PAGE A7 ■ Trump to sign virus immigration order Wednesday PRESIDENT Donald Trump confirmed he would sign an order on Wednesday partially blocking immigration to the United States, in a move he argues would protect workers from the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. Immigration is a key issue for Trump’s conservative base, which he is keen to energize ahead of the November election. “I will be signing my Executive Order prohibiting immigration into our Country today,” he said in a tweet. The president said on Tuesday that he would stop the issuing of ■ TO PAGE A7 A2 FilAm Star April 23-29, 2020 April 23-29, 2020 FilAm Star A3 US News Trump wants to use oil crash to fill national stockpile US anti-confinement PRESIDENT Donald Trump said Monday the United States would take advantage of the historic drop in oil prices to replenish its national strategic protesters demand stockpile, pending approval by Congress. “We are filling up our national petroleum reserves... You know, the strategic reserves,” Trump told reporters at his daily coronavirus press confer- economic freedom ence. THE INCESSANT clang of car horns rang out in Creating risk “And we are looking to put as much as 75 mil- the US state of Pennsylvania Monday as hundreds Anita Livelsberger, one of the few demonstra- lion barrels into the reserves themselves,” he added. of vehicles circled the Capitol building in a protest tors wearing a mask, traveled from a town about a Later in the briefing, he specified that he would against confinement measures aimed at combatting half-hour outside the city “to support the president” only buy that amount if Congress authorized the the coronavirus. and “because they have to re-open or small busi- funding -- or if the federal government could rent During the rally that lasted about three hours, nesses will die.” storage space to third parties for a fee. many drove pick-up trucks decorated with Amer- The 55-year-old said that Trump -- who has When prices eventually rebound, these vendors ican flags or slogans like “shelter in place isn’t sparred with state governors over their precaution- could sell their excess oil. freedom!” ary orders -- “has been doing a good job.” US oil prices crashed to unprecedented lows The Harrisburg demonstrators, arguing that Livelsberger’s husband owns a contractor sup- Monday as futures in New York ended in negative public health regulations unduly threaten economic ply business, which she said has stayed open. territory for the first time amid a devastating supply freedom, gathered after similar protests elsewhere But without clients, they’re hurting, she said. glut that has forced traders to pay others to take the Pres. Donald Trump (Facebook) in the country and President Donald Trump tweet- A number of Democrats and public health crude off their hands. Stored in a complex of four underground sites ed apparent support for them last week. experts have said the US government was slow to take The president had announced his intention along the Gulf coasts of Texas and Louisiana, in Among Monday’s protest organizers were a trio necessary steps to fight the virus -- but Livelsberger on March 13 to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve the south of the United States, the SPR has a total of conservative pro-gun activist brothers who have “suspects” the shutdown may be a Democratic scheme (SPR) to the brim. storage capacity of 727 million barrels. instigated anti-quarantine demonstrations through- to hurt Trump’s chances in November’s election. As of April 17, it contained 635 million bar- This is intended for use in case of emergencies out the United States. Tom Ryan, a certified public accountant, also rels of its current authorized limit of 713.5 million such as the 1991 Iraq War, or in 2005 after Hurri- But the demonstrators remain on the margins traveled to Pennsylvania’s capital to protest, pro- barrels. cane Katrina. (AFP) in a country where polls show a majority support Trump red caps in hand. stay-at-home measures to fight the pandemic. “You can’t shut everything down just because Along with the vehicles protesting, hundreds of we have a health issue,” he said. Poisonings linked to cleaning people -- most of them mask-free despite the threat “We have to figure out how to balance things.” of the virus -- gathered at the steps of the state- In Harrisburg, AFP witnessed about a dozen supplies spike in US during pandemic house. They carried signs decrying damage caused armed protestors. to the economy due to confinement measures, or But though the demonstrations at US state- CALLS TO US poison centers have risen 20 discharged a few hours later. accusing the governor, Tom Wolf, of using the virus houses have drummed up media attention and percent this year because of exposure to bleach and The second case was about a preschool-aged as an excuse to grab powers. online activity, they remain on the periphery: more other disinfectants, health authorities said Monday, girl who was found unresponsive at home and who Among those rallying were Republican con- than 80 percent of Americans would approve of a linking the surge to COVID-19 cleaning recommen- had to be taken to hospital by ambulance. gressional representatives. national stay-at-home order, according to a recent dations. A 64-ounce (two liter) bottle of alcohol hand State lawmaker Aaron Bernstine said “our new Quinnipiac poll. From January to March 2020, poison centers sanitizer was found open on the kitchen table. Her normal does not mean we will sacrifice our free- The poll indicates that nearly 70 percent of received 45,550 calls about dangerous exposure to family said she became dizzy after ingesting an doms for the safety of our country.” Republicans and 95 percent of Democrats would cleaning chemicals, the Centers for Disease Control unknown amount, fell and hit her head. “U-S-A!” chants punctuated his speech -- rem- back such a measure. and Prevention (CDC) said in a report, up from She vomited while in the ambulance and was iniscent of Trump rallies, which are currently sus- Troy Thompson, a local government spokes- 37,822 the year before. almost non responsive. pended due to the pandemic. The virus has infected man, acknowledged the frustrations over the slowed The number of calls rose sharply in March Her blood alcohol level was 273 milligrams more than 33,000 people and killed in excess of economy -- but emphasized that “public health is -- around the time that most state lockdowns went per deciliter, more than three times higher than the 1,300 in the eastern state of Pennsylvania the primary focus here.” into effect -- with exposures to children under the legal drink driving limit of most US states of 80 mg/ The United States is the global epicenter of the “Unfortunately this group of people chose to age of five years accounting for the biggest percent- DL. pandemic, with more than 41,000 people dead. put the sacrifices we made at risk, as well as putting age. Brain scans did not reveal a concussion, and Yet, echoing Trump, some lawmakers like Rep- the safety of the police officers who were watching Exposure to bleaches, non-alcoholic disinfec- she was admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit resentative Russ Diamond say the “cure” -- ordering over the demonstration at risk,” he told AFP. tants and hand sanitizers all saw sharp rises, with overnight where her mental status improved and or urging residents to stay home -- could be “worse “To everyone who is being cooperative and the main route being inhalation. she was discharged after 48 hours. than the disease.” staying home and safe, we applaud them... It is this The CDC shared two case studies to illustrate The CDC said: “The timing of these report- “End this shutdown now!” Diamond said at the type of action that will will achieve the reopening of the issue. ed exposures corresponded to increased media rally. Pennsylvania.” (AFP) One concerned a woman who heard on the coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, reports of news it was important to clean all groceries before consumer shortages of cleaning and disinfection consuming them, and so filled her sink with a mix- products, and the beginning of some local and state ture of 10 percent bleach solution, vinegar, and hot stay-at-home orders.” water to soak her produce. The health agency recommended that to avoid She noted a noxious smell and developed such exposures, people using cleaning products difficulty breathing while coughing and wheezing, should always read and follow instructions on and called 911. labels, only use water at room temperature for dilu- She was taken to an emergency department tion, and avoid mixing chemicals. where she was found to have slightly low levels They should also wear eye and skin protection, of oxygen in her blood, but improved after being ensure they are cleaning with adequate ventilation, placed on oxygen and given an inhaler. She was and keep chemicals out of reach of children. (AFP) US state obtains ‘game-changing’ virus tests from South Korea THE US state of Maryland has received 500,000 Hogan credited his wife, Yumi, who is of coronavirus tests ordered from South Korea, a South Korean origin, with helping to negotiate shipment Governor Larry Hogan said would be the purchase. “game-changing” to efforts to implement wide- The administration of US President Donald spread testing. Trump has said there are enough tests for each “It enables us to identify those who are sick state to move in to “phase one”, ending some and those who have the virus and it can help us stay-at-home restrictions. isolate them and do our contact tracing,” Ho- But Hogan and several other US governors gan told a press conference in the state capital have complained about a lack of testing capacity Annapolis. that would allow them to safely begin reopening The $9 million purchase would be “an their states. exponential, game-changing step forward on our Hogan said more than 71,400 tests have been largescale testing initiative,” Hogan said. conducted in Maryland, which has a population The governor said the tests were bought of six million, and there have been 13,684 con- from a company called LabGenomics, and firmed cases of COVID-19 and 516 deaths. a Korean Airlines plane arrived at Balti- Speaking to CNN on Sunday, he said the more-Washington airport on Saturday with shortage of testing was the leading problem in the the shipment. United States. (AFP) A4 FilAm Star April 23-29, 2020 PH News M/V Grand Princess with Filipino crewmembers Study finds quarantine still docked in Southern California By Jun Nucum effective in checking AFTER sailing to Southern California early this month, M/V Grand Princess remained docked at Santa Catalina, California and is constantly being monitored by the Philippine Consulate General spread of coronavirus in Los Angeles (PCG LA) after traveling from San Francisco. By Daniel Llanto the effectiveness of the ECQ was the case fatality Asked for developments on the cruise ship FilAm Star Correspondent rate. and the 91 Filipino crewmembers who were left Based on the data as of April 10, the study behind the ship, the LA consulate announced that A UNIVERSITY of the Philippines think thank reported an estimated case fatality rate of 5.38 PCG LA and the Philippine Embassy in Washing- reported that after a thorough study it found the percent and a reproduction number of 0.6398, ton, D.C. are in coordination with the manage- enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed pointing out that “the ECQ has been effective.” ment of Princess Cruises, the company that owns over Metro Manila “very effective” in check- The UP COVID-19 Pandemic Response and operates the vessel. ing the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 Team, of which Lagmay is part of, earlier rec- “Princess Cruises is still in the process of (COVID-19). ommended the government shift to a “modified finalizing arrangements for the repatriation, and Professor Mahar Lagmay of the UP Resil- quarantine” after the Luzon-wide lockdown ends details have not been made public yet. So far ience Institute (UPRI) said the university’s Insti- on April 30. our office has not received any complaints from tute of Mathematics submitted research on April UP researchers studying COVID-19 data the Filipinos onboard from this latest journey,” 20 showing that the number of new infections from the Department of Health launched a web shared Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz. . M/V Grand Princess per day in the National Capital Region appears to portal and interactive map showing COVID-19 “We thank the Philippine Consulate General have already reached its peak. hotspots as well as medical and other facilities in in San Francisco for taking care of the needs of speedy repatriation of the Filipino crew when the “In Metro Manila, they are saying that it these areas. the Filipino seafarers that have been repatriat- right time has come. seems we are already at the peak. So that means The map can help policymakers and local ed, as well as those who have been left behind Ask whether all of the Filipino crew mem- that our efforts in the ECQ have really been very, government officials determine which barangays, onboard. Some employment-related issues have bers would be tested, Cruz replied that that will very effective,” Lagmay said in a TV interview. towns or cities have a high probability of having been endorsed to the Philippine Overseas Labor depend on many factors such as the availability of Because of the ECQ many provinces and cit- another outbreak and thus need to continue ECQ Office-Los Angeles and our Labor Attaché Armi test kits, protocols observed by the Port in which ies also reduced risk of the spread of COVID-19, measures. Evangel N. Peña is addressing those concerns,” the vessel is docked and whether anyone left on- he said. It also shows which areas have a low chance Cruz conveyed. board is presenting COVID-19 symptoms or not. Lagmay however warned that once quaran- of having an outbreak where the ECQ may be At the moment, PCG LA is monitoring about “In our experience sending off the 1,003 tine measures are lifted, “the spread might spike lifted, he said. seven cruise ships docked anywhere between the Filipino crewmembers of the M/S Norwegian up again.” The UP COVID-19 Pandemic Team “In terms of the ECQ, that can be the take-off Ports of San Diego, Los Angeles and even Santa Joy, M/S Regent Seven Seas Splendor, M/S said however that its implementation over a wide point for making logical decisions with respect Catalina Island and it is estimated that there are Norwegian Jewel, M/S Carnival Miracle and area may not be sustainable beyond April 30. to the socio-economic implications as well as the at least 300 Filipino crewmembers onboard these M/S Carnival Inspiration on 07, 08 and 11 April To avoid this, UPRI said policymakers need number of health facilities that are needed in ships combined a figure that may change rapidly 2020, PCG LA personnel, myself included, have to base their decisions on whether to lift or con- order for us to prioritize our resources,” Lagmay due to the uncertain situation and whether more spoken to the crewmembers about this. What tinue the quarantine on “science-based models.” said. ships will arrive and drop anchor in southern we learned, at least in the case of the aforemen- The study, led mostly by mathematicians Business groups have also called on the gov- California. tioned cruise ships, was that they were reported across different UP campuses, showed that the ernment for a “calibrated easing” of the quaran- “On COVID-19 infections, there are varying to be “COVID-19 free” since not a single one of number of confirmed cases now takes a little tine after April 30, warning that continuing the reports coming from the respective cruise line the crew left onboard any of the vessels exhib- longer to double in number. lockdown will further weigh on the economy. companies concerned; some ships report that ited symptoms related to the disease even after “What took three days for the total number “With all these science and statistical-analy- everyone left onboard are “COVID-19 free” while completing the requisite 14-day quarantine. Their of cases to double now takes about six days to sis based models we may be able to arrive at very, some reports from other ships have come back, quarantine started after all the cruise guests/pas- happen,” the study found. very good decisions for our country.” indicating the presence COVID-19 positive crew sengers have disembarked,” Cruz disclosed. Its estimate is that the number of COVID-19 According to the Department of Health, the onboard, but with no race or nationality spec- Cruz nevertheless is highly optimistic that cases by the end of April would be between 9,000 number of recoveries from COVID-19 surpassed ified,” Cruz reported. “Rest assured that PCG the crewmembers will eventually be reunited with to 44,000. “In general, this indicates the relative the 600th mark, totaling to 613 as of April 20. LA and the Embassy in D.C. are both closely their loved ones back home after being repatri- success of the ECQ along with other interventions The DoH recorded 41 new recoveries and monitoring the situation and are ready to assist ated and subjected to the enhanced quarantine in containing the spread of the virus.” 200 new confirmed cases of the disease in the in terms of documentation and coordination protocols being enforced by the Philippines once Another benchmark used in the study to test country, raising the total to 6,459. with authorities in the Philippines to facility the they arrive in Manila. Cash aid flow slow, only P22B distributed

Government looks into resumption of POGOs MANILA, Philippines — With only less than 10 gram. At least 13 million families are still wait- MANILA, Philippines — The government is could get now. days left before the lockdown’s scheduled end, ing for cash aid from the national government. looking into a proposal to let Philippine offshore “It will not harm us to have additional sources the Department of Social Welfare and Develop- The DSWD earlier targeted to complete by gaming operators (POGOs) resume operations to of revenue that we can use for our hungry coun- ment (DSWD) has distributed less than a quarter April 25 the distribution of the first tranche, generate funds in the fight against the COVID-19 trymen. Lives are at stake and we need to act fast,” of the first tranche of cash aid to poor families where poor families can expect to receive aid disease, President Duterte’s chief economic man- said Yap, who formerly chaired the House games across the country who were hit hardest by the of between P5,000 and P8,000, depending on ager said on Monday. and amusements committee. enhanced community quarantine. where they reside. “The evaluation is ongoing,” Finance Sec- Pagcor said the suspension of Pogo opera- Despite the slow progress, however, the On Monday, however, Gudmalin said that retary Carlos Dominguez III said. “But let me tions was implemented to ensure the safety of all DSWD is optimistic about completing the distri- the payouts—which were administered by the reiterate — all of the above depend on the results employees and to prevent the further spread of the of the ongoing evaluation of the trade-offs involved virus by limiting workers’ movements. bution of P100 billion in social amelioration funds local governments—would be completed by the in the decision of maintaining the current partial But Yap said there were creative solutions that to 18 million low-income families by April 30. end of April.cro lockdown or tightening it or loosening it further.” Pagcor could tap. As of Sunday, DSWD data showed that only “What we see in our monitoring … is that Dominguez, however, said he was not in favor P22 billion had so far been distributed to 4.7 local government units are continuing the distri- of lifting the national and local liquor ban being Work from home million families deemed eligible for the govern- bution,” he told a press briefing. “Based on our pushed by the alcohol beverage industry. The state-run gambling regulator should ment’s social amelioration program (SAP). estimates, and if the current trend continues, we POGOs and other businesses, except for those come up with guidelines stipulating dos and Social Welfare Undersecretary Camilo will finish the distribution of subsidy before the involving essential goods and services, have been don’ts. It should be made clear that work from Gudmalin said of the P22 billion, P6 billion went end of the month.” temporarily closed down amid the lockdown in home should be allowed only if a Pogo is accredit- to over one million poor families who were not Whether this new target will be realized, Luzon and other parts of the country to contain the ed by Pagcor, Yap said. part of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Pro- however, remains to be seen. spread of the disease. “I honestly believe that the ECQ won’t be to- gram (4Ps). At least P16.3 billion were given to In Metro Manila alone, which got the lion’s On Sunday, ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap, chair of tally lifted by April 30 and there may still be a need 3.7 million 4Ps beneficiaries through their cash share of the SAP funds, some local government the House appropriations committee, called on Philip- for us to support the people next month. Where pine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to allow will we get the fund?” he said. cards. units (LGUs) only began their distribution last Pogos to resume their operations for tax purposes. “We need to find ways to boost the collection In Metro Manila, more than 40,000 drivers week. Others, like in Navotas, Valenzuela, and of taxes, but it should not be at the expense of of public utility vehicles and transport network Pateros, are still distributing or collecting the Gov’t fund depletion public health,” the lawmaker said. vehicle services received cash aid amounting to forms needed for the payouts. “In view of [exhausted] government coffers, As of early this year, around 60 Pogos had P323 million. Last week, the DSWD said LGUs could the suspension of POGO operations should be been issued licenses to operate by Pagcor, while Put together, the amount that had actual- already proceed to give cash aid to poor resi- lifted immediately to give our tax collection a 218 service providers employing over 108,000 for- ly reached poor families were a little over 20 dents in their jurisdictions, without waiting for much-needed boost,” Yap said in a statement. eigners had registered with the Bureau of Internal percent of the total allocated funds for the first the agency to validate their lists of beneficiaries. He said the country needed all the help it Revenue. (inquirer.net) month of the P200-billion amelioration pro- (inquirer.net) FilAm Star Classifieds (650)278-0692 . (415)593-5955 HIRING Part time Marketing/ Administrative Assistant Please call 650-278-0692

HAYWARD, CA Room for Rent $950 per month +$50 utilities+ 1 month deposit. Please text only650-892-2074. There’s washer/dryer, street parking. Furnished with a full bed. Study table, dresser. Very quiet location in Hayward. Near Hwy 92 bridge, FoodMaxx Grocery. Preferably female. Please provide the following: Valid ID, Valid contact number, W2 or paystub or ITR, The room is for single occupancy only or family ($3500 per month), No pets, No smoking, No drugs, No overnight guests or parties. April 23-29, 2020 FilAm Star A5 World News

number of on-site employees needed. Syncreon declined to comment. But at Syncreon, the reality is different, Unemployed and now in confinement, his Virus cuts through according to factory technician Alexis Flores, 22, main fear is that he could infect his father, who who was participated in last week’s protests. suffers from hypertension. “Until this week, they gave us masks that we Flores said at least five of his colleagues died, Mexican factories had to sew on the elastic ourselves, temperature all of whom displayed COVID-19 symptoms. checks were never done, and I don’t think they Most of them were under 50 years old, like really disinfected. Everything is very dirty,” said Ana Lilia Gonzalez, who earned $7.50 a day. snubbing shutdown Flores. (AFP)

WHEN Ana Lilia Gonzalez fell ill with flu-like According to official figures, Mexico had Families mourn as police seek symptoms, she went to the infirmary at her facto- more than 8,200 COVID-19 cases late Sunday, ry in a Mexican city on the US border, where the and more than 680 people had died. doctor told her she could carry on working. Two “The northern Mexican states are going to motive for Canada gun rampage weeks later, she was dead. be the most affected by the pandemic,” warned Her name has been added to the growing senior government health official Hugo Lo- INVESTIGATORS on Monday scoured crime is home to Canada’s Atlantic navy fleet. list of COVID-19 deaths among factory workers pez-Gatell, adding that “some companies are scenes from the worst mass shooting in Cana- Some of the victims were not known to the in Ciudad Juarez, located in the poor, densely continuing to operate” despite the restrictions. dian history to try to understand why a dental shooter, while others were specifically targeted, populated northern region of Chihuahua. Lear Corporation, a company that produces worker with no criminal past killed at least 18 said Leather. “A fortnight ago, she was fine. At the infir- auto seats in Ciudad Juarez, said in a statement people. “It’s too early to tell what the motivation mary, they didn’t want to send her home until last week: “We learned of the hospitalization of The gunman, identified by police as 51-year- was,” he said. “It appears to be, at least in part, her condition got worse,” one of her colleagues, some of our employees at our operation in Ciudad old Gabriel Wortman, began his rampage late very random in nature.” who has since quarantined herself because of the Juarez and the regrettable death of several of Saturday in the seaside village of Portapique, German Chancellor Angela Merkel led illness, told AFP by phone. them.” Nova Scotia, dying 14 hours later in a hail of international expressions of sympathy, telling The 24-year-old, who declined to reveal her But Susana Prieto, a labor rights lawyer police gunfire outside Halifax, 100 kilometers Trudeau in a note: “This senseless and cruel act name because she feared being stigmatized, has in Ciudad Juarez, said that in general, factory (62 miles) away. has shaken us all deeply.” developed a cough and has lost her sense of taste owners cared little for their workers. She accused “Just how could this happen, we may never After the first gunshots rang out in Por- -- two of the symptoms of the coronavirus. She them of lying to their employees by claiming they know why,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told tapique, where Wortman owned two proper- said that she had recently attended a wedding were on a list of companies authorized to contin- a news conference. ties, police found casualties inside and outside with Gonzalez, who was 45. ue working during the shutdown. “But we do know this: no one man’s action a home and also responded to a series of Syncreon, where both women worked repair- “The owners of capital do not care about the can build a wall between us and a better day, blazes. ing ATM machines for US banks, was deemed a lives of their employees. They know they have no matter how evil, how thoughtless, or how Neighbors told The Globe and Mail news- non-essential company and ordered by the gov- a ready supply of cheap labor at their disposal,” destructive.” paper that Wortman set fire to homes and shot ernment to suspend work at the end of March. said Prieto. The death toll, initially put at 16, rose to 18 residents as they ran out. on Monday, Trudeau said, with police warning An acquaintance said Wortman drove to - Cheap labor pool - - ‘General psychosis’ - that more bodies could be found in the rubble of his house in a mock squad car, wearing a police However, thousands of Mexicans continued During the past week, workers increasing- five burned out homes and buildings. uniform, and banged on the door clutching a last week to work there and in similar “maquila- ly worried about the spread of COVID-19 held “We expect there to be more victims,” said rifle and a pistol. doras” -- factories set up mainly by US companies protests at several factories to demand greater RCMP Chief Superintendent Chris Leather. “He wasn’t killing enemies, he was killing to avail of cheap labor -- all along the 3,100-ki- protection in the workplace. Among the victims so far identified were his friends,” said the man, who hid with his wife lometer (2,000-mile) border with the United One such protest forced a halt at Syncreon, a veteran constable with the Royal Canadian and called the police. “He was trying to beat States. which has ordered workers to turn up at the fac- Mounted Police, a nurse, an elementary school down our door. It was beyond terrifying.” Other countries have forced non-essential tory again on Monday. teacher, prison guards and a retired firefight- Police said Wortman, still posing as a po- industries to shut down to help slow the spread of Employers have defended the need to keep er. liceman, later stopped a vehicle near Debert and the coronavirus. industry running. “This happened in small towns -- in Por- shot the occupants. In Juarez alone, among the 160 largest “All the factories -- even the essential ones tapique, Truro, Milford and Enfield -- places “A monster murdered my mother today,” maquiladoras -- which together employ 300,000 -- are going to have to close soon because of the where people have deep roots, places where Darcy Dobson wrote in a Facebook post about workers -- nearly 30 factories deemed non-essen- general psychosis and the nervousness of the people know their neighbors and look out for victim Heather O’Brien, a nurse in Truro. tial by the government were still operating last staff. The employees simply don’t want to work one another,” Trudeau said. “At 9:59 am (Sunday) she sent her last text Friday, according to Chihuahua Labor Secretary anymore,” local National Maquiladora Industry A “virtual vigil” has been planned for Friday message to our family group chat. By 10:15 she Ana Luisa Herrera. Council official Pedro Chavira told AFP. at 7:00 pm (2200 GMT). was gone. She drove down the same street in So far, at least 13 workers in the city’s “We blame the industry when the enemy Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil told the same town she drives through every single factories have died from COVID-19, local health here is the virus,” he said. public broadcaster CBC that the investigation day. She was kind. She was beautiful. She didn’t officials reported. Chavira declined to comment on what hap- and the grieving process would be “complicat- deserve any of this.” Herrera said that she complained to the pened at Syncreon but insisted that most of the ed” by the coronavirus pandemic -- and the vast Two vehicles were also lit on fire on High- federal government about factories ignoring the companies that continue to operate have taken geographic area of the crime spree. way 102. Constable Heidi Stevenson, a 23-year shutdown order. But inspectors to enforce the measures to mitigate the spread of the virus: veteran of the force and a married mother of shutdown are scarce on the ground. Only 18 have offering clean-up facilities, distributing protective - ‘Unprecedented violence’ - two, died at the scene. A male officer suffered been assigned to the task of monitoring industrial masks and sanitizing gels, checking temperatures Forensic investigators fanned out to 16 non-life-threatening wounds and was recovering activity across the state. and slowing production in order to reduce the “chaotic” crime scenes across the province that Monday at home, Leather said. (AFP) A6 FilAm Star April 23-29, 2020 Opinion Street Talk PerryScope

A generation of crisis Trump relinquishes and opportunities absolute authority

GREG B. MACABENTA PERRY DIAZ

N HIS book, “The Greatest Generation,” of 1986 and saw revolutions around the globe. Did N A tense moment last April 13, 2020, Presi- public opinion, which makes one wonder: “Why journalist Tom Brokaw extolled those born in they witness the martyrdom of Jose Rizal? We saw dent Donald Trump invoked “absolute power” is he fomenting protests amid the deadly corona- the 1900s and up to the 1920s, relating how the assassination of John and Robert Kennedy, I in his decision to end the coronavirus shut- virus pandemic that has infected more than two they survived the Great Depression, fought and won Martin Luther King, Anwar Sadat, Ariel Sharon I million people worldwide and more than 100,000 down and reopen the U.S. for business by May World War II, helped Europe and Japan get back and Ninoy Aquino - as if the killings had been com- 1, if not sooner. He did this by asserting that he deaths?” And this brings to the fore what he said on their feet and powered America to economic, mitted before our eyes. has “total authority” to open up the country and a month ago: “We can’t have the cure be worse military and industrial greatness. That generation In the Philippines, our generation experienced override shutdown orders imposed by governors. than the problem.” also fathered the Baby Boomer Generation - born Martial Law and lived through a dictatorship that “When somebody is president of the United Clearly, he was in favor of resuscitating the from 1946 - that enjoyed the fruits of that greatness. was eventually ended by the People Power Revo- States, the authority is total,” Trump said. “And economy over the dead bodies of 40,000 Amer- These days, sociologists are hyper-analyzing lution. But it was an uprising like no other, with that’s the way it’s got to be. It’s total. The gover- icans who have died so far and increasing by and marketers are creating products and services citizen-rebels defying tanks, armed only with rosary nors know that.” But the governors also know the hundreds each day. But what does it take to for Generations X, Y and Z, the children and beads. And then came the series of attempted that that the 10th Amendment of the Constitu- resuscitate the economy without killing people? grandchildren of the Baby Boomers, the latter being coups that ended with a twist that could only have tion, while it allows the federal government broad Isn’t it obvious that not knowing who are infect- considered already passé. been written by an over-imaginative playwright: the power, it took exception of health and safety rules ed among the people would lead to increasing I was born in 1939, past the apex of the leaders of the coup found their way into the Senate, that are the domain of the states, It’s clear that the probability of the infected mingling with the Greatest Generation and not quite part of the Baby as well as other important government posts. the 10th Amendment is one of many places that healthy, which then leads to more infections and, Boomer Generation. Obviously, I cannot be counted And what about the “villains” of the People point out that the Constitution does not vest “ab- consequently, more deaths? Come on Donald, among Generations X, Y and Z. Some pundits have Power Revolt? In an inexplicable revision of history, solute power” in the president or any one person you should know better than that. patronizingly referred to my batch as the Silent they have become regarded as heroes, elected to the for that matter. The Supreme Court has made But Trump is thinking in three dimensions: Generation. But I, frankly, think that is selling us Legislature, and may even assume the presidency. rulings to that effect. economy, science, and politics. While economic short. I believe my generation is much more than In 1957, the Russians led in the space race with “I’m going to put it very simply: the presi- revival is important in the well-being of the nation, that. Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite to orbit the dent of the United States has the authority to do science overrides economic gains simply because I prefer to call the period covering my 80 earth. Then followed the feat of Yuri Gagarin, the what the president has the authority to do, which whatever gains we get would lead to the destruc- years of existence on this earth as the Generation of first man in outer space, on board the Vostok 1. This is very powerful. The president of the United tion of American society as we enjoy it today. It’s Crisis and Opportunity. This generation has been happened in April 1961. A month later, America States calls the shots,” Trump said. like playing see-saw: one end rises while the other ravaged by pandemics like people in the Dark Ages, played catch-up by also launching Alan Shepard But granted that Trump had the “legal au- end dips. The players have to play a balancing act fought more wars than the Greatest Generation, into space on board Freedom 7. thority” to override state governors, it is doubt- until the virus is exterminated, at which time the experienced the nuclear brinkmanship of the Cold Then, in July 1969, we actually saw on live TV ful that businesses and the people would heed American people could once again, as Trump had War, survived economic downturns like the Great the first earthlings - Neil Armstrong and Buzz Al- his call. People would ask, “Is it safe to heed said, “We’re starting our life again.” Depression, explored more new worlds than in the drin - setting foot on the moon. It was like watching Trump’s call?” And this has come down to how Age of Discovery, and conceived, innovated and Ferdinand Magellan and Christopher Columbus they feel about their own safety, knowing that Coronavirus calculus developed more new knowledge than the geniuses planting the banners of Spain in the New World. once they come in contact with infected persons, But Trump is thinking ahead of himself. He of the Rennaisance Did European ships explore the globe during they’ll get infected too, which would put their knows that politics is an important part of the I was born at the height of the Great Depres- the Age of Discovery? Today, we are witnessing the lives in harm’s way. coronavirus calculus. He knows that a vaccine sion, when the Philippines was still a US colony. exploration of the galaxy. Man may even land on Two days later, Trump reversed course. In for coronavirus is still one to two years away from Then came Pearl Harbor, the Japanese occupation, Mars during my lifetime. I am already resigned to front of an assembly of business and political development; thus, his three-phase game plan and the wars against Imperial Japan and Nazi the possibility that God’s universe was not created leaders and the press in the Rose Garden, Trump would get past his current presidential term that Germany. While I was too young to fight in the war, for homo sapiens alone. outlined a three-phase road map to restarting the would end on January 20, 2021 if he were not I was old enough to remember its horrors. I grew up at a time when there was no TV in economy. “We’re starting our life again,” he said. reelected. Growing up during the Cold War years, I the Phlippines. Kids rushed home to listen to their “We’re starting rejuvenation of our economy It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that learned that Russia and the United States were favorite radio shows or lined up at flea-infested the- again.” what he began doing with his tweets to Michigan, engaged in a vicious game of “chicken” that brought aters to watch third-run double-feature movies. We Earlier that day, Trump told the governors Minnesota, and Virginia is politically motivated. mankind to the brink of extinction during the Cu- also sang pop songs with song hits books in hand. in a conference call: “ You’re going to call your These three states have Democratic governors ban missile crisis. Karaoke had not been invented. Not even cassete own shots. We’re going to be standing alongside and it is apparent that he wants them replaced by In 1991, we saw the disintegration of the Soviet tapes. Much less CDs, MP3s and Youtube. of you.” Republicans in the general election. By inciting Union, like the fall of the Roman Empire in 375 It never occurred to me that I would eventu- His elaborate plan covers just about ev- rightwing revolt in those states, he would start AD. On the other hand, like the establishment of ally be a radio performer and would be among the ery aspect of reopening the economy by May 1. a prairie fire, which would spread across the the Mongol Empire by Genghis Khan in the 13th first people to appear on television, when it was However, he indicated that compliance would country. And by Election Day, he’d think that century, my generation is witnessing the emergence introduced in the Philippines. But even while I had be voluntary state by state. In essence, Trump he’d have the entire country up in revolt against of China as an economic and military power. worked in the medium, owning a TV set was beyond retreated from the “absolute authority” that he the Democrats that he accused of undermining While my generation was too young to fight in my family’s modest means. And when the Age of professed few days ago to virtual abdication of his the economy of the country by putting millions of World War II, we experienced the Korean War, the Computers came, owning a desktop - and much less leadership in the fight against COVID-19. Now, Americans in poverty due to soaring unemploy- Vietnam War, two wars in Iraq, and are seeing the a laptop - was the stuff of wishful thinking. it’s up to the 50 state governors to decide when to ment. With the nation’s industries going out of continuing conflict in the Middle East. We have also I suppose, Generations X, Y and Z (among open the economy in their states. business, the U.S. would become a pauper state witnessed terrorism used as a deadly weapon of them, my children and grandchildren) can never reminiscent of the Great Depression. understand how it is not to own an i-pad, a laptop, international confict. Trump’s rightwing supporters Trump would demonize the Democrats as On September 11, 2002, we saw the attack on a smart phone and a color TV in every room in the But a strange thing happened the day after demonic villains incapable of solving the econom- the twin towers in New York - live, on TV, as if we house. Or how it is not to talk to each other on Face- giving up his “absolute authority” to the states. ic woes of the country. The Democrats would were watching a Hollywood action thriller. Since Time, exchange jokes on Facebook and do research He tweeted, “LIBERATE MICHIGAN,” “LIBER- then put the whammy on Trump by asking: Why then, we have had to get used to the incovenience of on Google. Or how it is not to have Alexa and Siri ATE MINNESOTA,” and “LIBERATE VIRGINIA didn’t you conduct massive testing to isolate tight security inspections in the course of air travel, help with the homework. and save your great 2nd Amendment.” The those who are positive from the healthy? but we continue to be horrified by terrorist attacks Talk about smart phones, I once produced a TV response was spontaneous from the right-wing By then, it would be too late – more than one that have claimed hundreds of innocent lives in cit- spy series that had the hero wearing a video wrist supporters of Trump who have gathered in their million Americans would be infected and more ies around the world. TV has brought the carnage watch with which he could visually communicate state capitols to protest their states’ stay-at-home than 70,000 thousand dead. The time to bring to our living rooms. with his spy chief at headquarters. Of course, that orders and social-distancing guidelines. up the issue of “mass testing” is way past due! Did our forefathers experience revolutions? My Evidently, Trump has gone rogue rallying generation participated in the People Power Revolt ■ TO PAGE A7 right-wing protesters in an attempt to influence ■ TO PAGE A7

Also, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, whose state is moving toward a more limited re- As I See It opening, tweeted Tuesday: «I worry that our friends and neighbors in Georgia are going too fast too The Opinions expressed by our writers and soon.» We respect Georgia’s right to determine its contributors do not in any way reflect the opinion If “you jump the gun” on own fate, but we are all in this together,” Graham, of the management of Fortune News Media Inc. a Republican, said. “What happens in Georgia will impact us in South Carolina.” Even celebrities who own Georgia businesses, Fortune News Media Inc. re-opening, “it’s going to including former professional wrestler Diamond Publisher Dallas Page, who owns a gym, and rapper Killer Mike, who owns barber shops, told TMZ they would Harvey Barkin backfire” – Dr. Fauci not re-open Friday. Editor-in-Chief Before beginning the three-phase process, Trump recommends that the states must meet Edwina Aniag ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO the following criteria: A downward trajectory of Vice President for Marketing and Operations influenza-like illnesses and COVID-19 syndromic cases reported within a 14-day period; A downward Gary De Guzman USINESSMEN, displaced employees/ deliberate approach”. The power to reopen states trajectory of documented cases or positive tests Vice President for Community Relations workers, governors, and US President Donald now is in the hands of the governors who made as a percent of total tests, within a 14-day period; BTrump, are anxious to re-open the economy clear they will move at their own pace, but following and Hospitals are treating patients without crisis which has been suffering heavily from the corona the guidelines. care and have a robust testing program in place Geoffrey Julian virus (COVID-19). “You’re going to call your own shots,” Trump for at-risk healthcare workers, including emerging Creative and Production Manager We are moving towards the second month told the governors Thursday afternoon in a confer- antibody testing. of lockdown and as of Tuesday, 42 US states, and ence call, according to an audio recording obtained Under Phase One, individuals should continue Elpidio Estioko some cities in states not on lockdown, had issued by The Associated Press. Trump said they were to social distance, minimize non-essential travel, stay-at-home orders, asking residents to shelter in going to be responsible for deciding when it is safe Atty. Crispin Lozano and follow the CDC guidelines. Vulnerable individ- place and go out only for essential services. This to lift restrictions... The problem is, the governors uals should continue to stay at home. Schools, day- Dr. Philip Chua definitely affected the economy but the goal of these need help in testing which the federal government care centers, and camps should remain closed, and Ben Lou / Perry Diaz policies, according to the Center for Disease Control is not giving full support and that some governors visits to senior living homes and hospitals should be Federico Espiritu and Prevention (CDC), is to minimize reducing the have hastily planned to re-open the economy with- prohibited. Large venues, like dine-in restaurants, Columnists spread of the virus. out much study and medical consultation. movie theaters, sports venues can re-open under As the number of deaths increased every day, For example, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp strict physical distancing protocols. Gyms can re- President Trump unveiled a 3-step plan dubbed has announced on Monday: “Georgia would allow open if they adhere to strict physical distancing and Macon Ramos-Araneta as The Opening Up America Again, to re-open the nail salons, massage therapists, bowling alleys and sanitation protocols, but bars should remain closed. Corina Oliquino economy. Commenting on the plan, Dr. Fauci, gyms to open Friday. In-person church services can For Phase Two, vulnerable individuals should Daniel Llanto the top government expert on infectious disease resume. And restaurants and movie theaters can continue to stay at home. Individuals should con- Monday over CNN said: If “you jump the gun” on open Monday…” tinue to social distance and non-essential travel can Correspondents re-opening, “it’s going to backfire”. This is a contra- The governor’s announcement created re- resume. Schools, daycare centers, and camps can diction of the president’s original plan to re-open sistance, according to writer Eric Bradner in his reopen, and bars can open with reduced stand- the economy soon starting May 1. article: “Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is running into ing-room occupancy. He added on ABC’s “Good Morning America” resistance from mayors and businesses who fear a In Phase Three, vulnerable individuals no @FilAmNewspaper that “unless we get the virus under control, the new wave of corona virus infections as he seeks an longer have to stay at home but should practice social real recovery economically is not gonna happen. early end to his state’s shutdown. It’s the most distancing and minimize their exposure to social FilAm Star is published weekly by Fortune News Media Inc. So what you do if you jump the gun and go into a aggressive move yet to reopen a state’s economy settings. Low-risk populations should minimize their www.filamstar.com situation where you have a big spike, you’re gonna as Trump optimistically pushes for a May 1 end time spent in crowded environments. Employers set yourself back… it’s gonna backfire. That’s the to some statewide lockdowns. It also came as a can allow their workers to return to work. Visits to problem.” surprise to mayors and some members of Kemp’s senior care facilities and hospitals can resume, but Headquarters: After abandoning his original idea that he has own corona virus task force. Mayors are pushing those who interact with residents and patients must 1028 Mission St., 2/F, San Francisco, CA 94103; total control over the pandemic and re-opening the back, some businesses are saying they’ll keep their Tel. (650) 278-0692 or (415) 593-5955 maintain high standards of hygiene. Large venues, Email: [email protected] economy soon, Trump finally yielded to the gover- doors closed and even Trump allies are questioning nors a road map for recovery via the “phased and whether Kemp is moving too quick,” the article said. ■ TO PAGE A7 April 23-29, 2020 FilAm Star A7

Alarms.... From Page A1 PH: most.... From Page A1 This announcement came in the wake of the Guiuan town from docking at the historic island of safest countries to be in during the pandemic, with ramming and sinking of a Vietnamese fishing boat Homonhon, where Ferdinand Magellan landed 499 COVID-19 in the Asia-Pacific region Israel, Germany, South Korea, Australia, China, by a Chinese vessel, and China’s establishment years ago and is now an island-barangay of Guiuan. New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, and of two research stations on its artificial islands in Commodore Armand Balilo, Philippine Coast In a report by The Philippine Star’s One News, Hong Kong making it to the top 10. Fiery Cross and Subi reefs. Guard spokesman, said they would stop the vessel the Philippines ranked last among 20 countries in Meanwhile, the Center for Strategic and “These recent events in the South China Sea from entering Samar if there is an order to do so. the Asia-Pacific region in terms of safety, with South International Studies’ tracker revealed the Philip- remind us Filipinos to be eternally vigilant in the They have yet to receive such order. Korea, China, New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan pines has the most number of COVID-19 cases in defense of our country’s territory and sovereign He also said it would be the Inter-Agency Task and the Chinese special administrative of Hong Kong Southeast Asia at 6,459 cases with 613 recoveries rights even as we confront a very grave threat as Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) that listed with high levels of safety while Vietnam, Thai- and 428 deaths, followed by Indonesia. COVID-19,” Del Rosario said. will decide whether or not to allow entry of the vessel. land, Malaysia and India were at mid-level safety. Public urged to stay home as Palace found the The Foreign Affairs chief said while there’s The PCG, he added, is currently implementing In a Forbes report, on the other hand, Deep ranking “shameful” a struggle against a pandemic that poses a real a “no sail policy” for passenger vessels amid the Knowledge Group co-founder and managing part- Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, threat to lives, Filipinos must not also risk losing enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, except ner Margaretta Colangelo said the country rank- during a press briefing, appealed to the public to their national patrimony upheld by international for cruise ships carrying Filipino nationals. ings were meant to “help people and governments stay home while the government determines the law and meant for present and future generations Balilo said anything that enters the Philip- make informed decisions that maximize beneficial next step to deal with the pandemic. of Filipinos. pines should be considered a COVID-19 threat and outcomes for humanity.” “Unang-una, nananawagan, nakikiusap sa In the same vein, Eastern Samar Gov. Ben that there should be calibrated efforts, especially “The COVID-19 pandemic is a complex mga Filipino, ang dami pong pasaway sa atin. At da- Evardone lodged an urgent appeal to Environment on health protocols. system involving biology, human behavior, hil po diyan, number one na naman tayo sa Asia sa Sec. Roy Cimatu to stop the loading of chromite “The bottom line is the spread of the virus will companies and governments, and it’s influenced dami ng COVID-19, nakakahiya po,” Roque said. ore onto a Chinese vessel docked at a mining port be avoided,” Balilo stressed. by healthcare, economics, governance and geo- Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte on a in Homonhon Island, Guiuan town in his province. Evardone pointed out that “the people of politics. Sophisticated analytical methods could televised address last April 16, urged Filipinos to Evardone told Cimatu that the Chinese ship, Eastern Samar have raised serious concern on the help improve economic, societal and geo-political exercise discipline in practicing social distancing which has 13 Chinese crewmembers and four possible danger the Chinese ship poses to public stability,” Colangelo said. and curfew hours amid the pandemic or he would Myanmar nationals, was loading mined ore from health while our province is under general com- “The rankings can be used as a tool for busi- impose a martial law-like law enforcement. the island this week, thus jeopardizing the health munity quarantine due to COVID-19.” nesses and governments to aid in effective decision “I’m asking you, disiplina… ‘Pag ayaw niyo and safety of residents. He asked Cimatu to heed his appeal for making, and could assist response efforts in order maniwala, mag-take over military at police… Ang The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) “humanitarian considerations” and to protect to maximize health, stabilize economies and help police at military mag-enforce sa (social distanc- of the Department of Environment and Natural his constituents in Eastern Samar, which has no communities re-open for business,” she added. ing) at curfew, parang martial law na rin, mamili Resources ordered last April 3 the suspension of COVID cases yet, from possible infection. In another report by Rappler, Deep Knowl- kayo,” Duterte said. the Mineral Ore Export Permit it issued to the On the questioned activities of China on the edge Group founder Dmitry Kaminskiy in an Moreover, Roque said imposing a “total island-based mining company Techiron Resources West Philippine Sea, Del Rosario said China con- interview with Nikkei Asian Review said that Ban- lockdown” remains an option for the govern- but lifted it eight days later. tinues to pursue its illegal and expansive claims in gladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines, being at ment should the country fail to slow the spread of This prompted Evardone to call on Cimatu the South China Sea to the prejudice of Filipinos, the bottom of the Asia-Pacific list, may face “quite COVID-19. to look into the MGB decision and reconsider the the ASEAN states and the international communi- negative dynamics” in the coming weeks, reiterat- “We have seen that the number of COVID cas- lifting of the suspension order on mining opera- ty as a whole. ing the “inefficiency of government management” es increased, decreased and the number is still on tions in the island. “We therefore respectfully urge our government particularly in the Philippines. the rise. It’s saddening that while we extended the The ship, M/V VW Peace, was supposed to to protest this recent action of China, as it rightly did The Group’s analysis also revealed the top 40 ECQ, we have yet to flatten the curve,” Roque said. load 7,000 metric tons of chromite ore – worth over the sinking of the Vietnamese fishing boat on more than PHP61 million – before it was barred by April 8,” Del Rosario said in a statement. PH ‘currency... From Page A1 From Page A1 $4.5B... course and hike rates to “defend their currencies.” In the Philippines, the Bangko Sentral ng the world are bearing the brunt of the economic duce the demand for Filipinos sailors as shipping “A weaker currency, for one, can accelerate Pilipinas (BSP) last April 16, cut policy rates by destruction and job losses: traffic sinks,” Bertiz said. inflation as it increases import costs, which in turn 50 basis points, weakening the peso as it closed at Shipping (both merchant and cruise opera- The Philippines is the world’s second-largest trickle down to local prices,” the global bank said P50.80 against the US dollar. tions) and shipping-related support services supplier of licensed ship officers and the top provid- “With weaker healthcare systems, EM Economists expect OFW remittances to drop Aviation and aviation-related support services er of unlicensed ship ratings or non-officer crew. countries need to be early and aggressive with this year (including crewing operations, aircraft mainte- Some 450,000 Filipino sailors serve on lockdowns but in practice that is a daunting In another report by The Philippine Star, ANZ nance and catering) ocean-going bulk carriers, container ships, oil, gas, challenge in densely populated cities and pover- Research chief economist for Southeast Asia and Travel and tour operations chemical and other product tankers, general cargo ty-stricken slums where social distancing is hardly India Sanjay Mathur said remittances from OFWs Hotels, resorts and restaurants ships, pure car carriers and tugboats around the an option,” it added. are likely to take a hit this year due to displace- Gaming world. The global bank and its updated Damocles ments and travel restrictions due to the coronavi- Oil, gas and energy exploration and develop- Global ports operator International Container index, an early warning indicator which correctly rus pandemic. ment (including related construction) Terminal Services Inc. (ICSTI) earlier reported forecast 67 percent of the last 54 currency crises, “Based on these headwinds, the official pro- “The foreign labor markets for Filipino work- that shipping container volumes across its termi- counted the Philippines as “among the countries jection for even a downwardly revised two percent ers – except for medical professionals and techni- nals in 20 countries fell by 10-15 percent in March whose currencies appear to be immune to the increase in remittances in 2020 still seems opti- cians – will shrink considerably this year, as the alone and are expected to decline further in April. coronavirus fallout.” mistic. In all likelihood, remittances will contract global economy declines,” Bertiz said. Meanwhile, Bertiz said ACTS-OFW is count- In a report by The Philippine Star, only the this year,” Mathur said, with the Bangko Sentral The collapse of crude oil prices to $20-$25 ing on the government to provide financial assis- Philippines, India, Bulgaria, Peru, Russia and ng Pilipinas also likely to lower the projected per barrel is foreseen dampening to a large extent tance to Filipino workers overseas who have lost Thailand got a Damocles score of zero or very low growth in OFW remittances this year by two per- the demand for Filipino workers – from engineers income under the “no work, no pay policy” of their risk of a currency crash. cent from the original target of three percent. to construction workers – in the Middle East, employers. The Damocles system uses macro-economic “As remittances play a seminal role in sup- Bertiz said. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administra- and financial variables to assess whether an econ- porting growth in the Philippines, a fall in remit- The kingdoms in the region heavily dependent tion last week began accepting on-line applications omy is vulnerable to a currency crisis, with a score tances will have strong repercussions,” Mathur oil and gas income are anticipated to spend less for the $200 (P10,000) cash aid for Filipino work- above 100 suggesting vulnerability in the next 12 warned, noting OFW remittances accounted for aggressively on new public infrastructure, accord- ers abroad “who have experienced job displace- months. over seven percent of the country’s gross domestic ing to Bertiz. ment due to the host country’s imposition of a Nomura noted that receiving a zero Dam- product (GDP) over the last “The global economic recession will also re- lockdown or community quarantine.” ocles score “separates countries from other EM “Although this ratio has been secularly de- economies, which are more vulnerable to investor clining, it remains much higher than foreign direct dumping during the coronavirus epidemic.” investment flows. On an international comparison, Senate... From Page A1 According to the bank’s index, Egypt received the Philippines is the fourth largest recipient of the highest Damocles score out of 30 countries at remittance flows,” Mathur added, noting weaker majority party headed by Duterte, the President it comes to Covid-19 testing on March 24, Duque 176, followed by Ukraine at 138, Sri Lanka at 110, remittances would “adversely impact a wide range said he would not remove the Health secretary said that he gave “courtesy” to some officials in Na- Pakistan at 104 and Turkey at 104, making them of economic activities such as consumption and whose delayed response to the pandemic has been tional Security, Health, the Duterte family, Cabinet vulnerable to an exchange rate crisis. investment.” cited as the reason Covid-19 became widespread in officials and a number of senators who did not “Many EM currencies have depreciated Overseas recruitment and migrant migration the country. have symptoms. sharply this year. Under normal circumstances, policies expert Lito Soriano, on the other hand, The outbreak started late December 2019 in Indecisiveness in the time of pandemic is not this would result in an undervaluation of curren- said job losses among OFWs could range between Wuhan, China and an influx of Chinese tourists an option, according to the Senate president. cies but these are not normal times,” the global 50,000 to 100,000 should the government intro- and migrants were observed since Duterte became But despite signing the resolution, Senate bank said, noting EM central banks have been duces job preservation measure. president in 2016. The first Philippine case was a President Tito Sotto said in a text message to CNN cutting interest rates to save their economies from Soriano said less than P3 billion in probable Chinese couple from Wuhan. They were confined Philippines saying, “Sec. Duque is a friend but deep recession as the pandemic force leaders to OFW remittance losses by the end of 2020, a 10 in San Lazaro Hospital last January 24. The first when almost two-thirds of the Senate, perhaps impose “draconian lockdowns” which could freeze percent decline from the $30 billion in 2019, where death reported outside China was a 44-year-old more, receive complaints from health workers, economic activity. remittances hit record levels of $33.47 billion. male last February 1. Despite the medical commu- DoH employees and those in the direct line of nity’s plea to ban all incoming tourists from China, responses, I cannot not support Senate Resolution the government only banned people coming from 362.” Trump... From Page A1 Hubei with little effort to trace persons who infect- Discussions will resume in May, according to ed others. Sen. Ping Lacson, when Duque is welcome to air green cards -- permanent residency permits -- for coronavirus and save lives.” When Filipinos with no travel history con- his side. 60 days, but would exempt temporary workers The Supreme Court has in recent months tracted the virus, the ban expanded to include the Also, according to Lacson, Senate Minority such as seasonal farm laborers. offered several significant victories to the Trump Mainland, Hongkong, Macau and Taiwan. Leader Franklin Drilon was invited to sign but “It will help put unemployed Americans first in administration on immigration. Duque later admitted last March 11 that he said “he’ll pass.” Other senators who wished to line for jobs as America reopens,” he said Tuesday. A month ago, the court allowed the federal could have declared a national health emergency be co-authors in the resolution can manifest their “It would be wrong and unjust for Americans to be government to maintain a policy that will send earlier. interest once hearing commences on the floor. replaced with immigrant labor flown in from abroad.” more than 60,000 asylum seekers back to Mexico. A previous move by Duque had drawn public Previously, Duque had been accused of con- About 22 million Americans have lost their Trump added in his tweet on Tuesday that scorn. flict of interest. jobs since the outbreak forced a global shutdown “even without this order, our Southern Border, Director Cecilia Carlos of the Research In- Doctor’s Pharmaceutical Inc. (DPI) is a firm -- shattering Trump’s hopes of touting a booming aided substantially by the 170 miles of new Border stitute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) was placed owned by the Duque family with the Health secre- economy in the run-up to the election. Wall & 27,000 Mexican soldiers, is very tight.” under “supervision” as a “hand washing measure” tary’s brother, Cesar, serving as chairman. The US -- with 45,000 deaths and more than Trump’s administration is keen to get Amer- after a memo from DoH leaked last March 21, The company won a bid to supply adult 825,000 coronavirus infections -- is the world’s ica back to work and has said there are enough replacing her with Assistant Health Sec. Dr. Nestor multi-vitamins to the National Center for Men- hardest-hit country, and health care infrastructure coronavirus tests for each state to move to “phase Santiago “effective immediately.” tal Health. Also, the Duque family is leasing in hotspots such as New York has struggled to cope. one” of a gradual reopening, ending some stay-at- The public speculated that Carlos was sacked to Philhealth their building in Dagupan City, home restrictions. for refusing to expedite the tests for public offi- Pangasinan. Duque told Lacson in a September - ‘Divert attention’? - But several state governors have complained cials. Alleged complaints from RITM personnel 2019 hearing that he has no knowledge of the The executive order on immigration will likely of a lack of testing capacity and a fear of sparking a on leaked chats on social media stated they were transaction but the Senator reiterated that DPI spark court action to reverse it, and has raised fresh surge in infections. being asked to prioritize the politicians and their is a family corporation and whether he knows hackles among his Democratic opponents. The director of the US Centers for Disease families while the sick had to wait. it or not is another matter as he is a Cabinet Texas lawmaker Joaquin Castro slammed Control on Tuesday also warned Americans to pre- After declaring that there’ll be no VIPs when secretary. what he called “an attempt to divert attention away pare for a more ferocious second wave of the virus from Trump’s failure to stop the spread of the later this year. (AFP) Perry... From Page A6 Street Talk... From Page A6 Who’s in charge? masks in the national strategic inventory. This States like Massachusetts, Kentucky, Colora- caused shortage in the New York public health was pure science fiction then. In fact, at that time, innovations in arts and entertainment. do, Michigan, and other states have complained system of which lives might have been lost. This having a PLDT landline installed in one’s house in At my age, I may soon be denied renewal of my of FEMA taking over orders that had been could have been avoided if there was coordina- Manila was like queuing for a liver or kidney trans- driver’s license. But this generation is already de- ordered by them, which left the states without the tion in the supply chain. But evidently, hubris plant. Needless to say, portable or cellular phones veloping driver-less cars - a leap far into the future medical equipment and patients with no venti- is at play here – the president’s son-in-law will were not even in our fantasies. from the days of the horseless carriage. Indeed, the lators or PPE; thus, putting their lives in jeopar- break protocol without any repercussion. These days, Generations X, Y and Z, as well as leaps and bounds of discovery and technological dy. This is akin to hijacking reminiscent of the Now, with the Trump taking a backseat role the house help, can never understand how we sur- developments have been awesome. Prohibition Era when bootleggers would hijack a in the coronavirus task force leadership and vived without mobile phones. Today, a cell phone is But as I write this, we are being scourged by a shipment of whiskey at the Canadian border and relinquishing the lead role to 50 state governors, considered as essential as life itself - but not just any pandemic and are cowering in our homes like the sell them to speakeasies and other illegal outlets. there is a question of who would coordinate the phone - it also has to be a computer, a still camera, a Jews during the Passover at the time of Moses. To make things worse, it was reported in the actions of the 50 governors? Wouldn’t it be like video recorder and an interactive video device. The coronavirus/COVID-19, as deadly as news that “the White House’s ad hoc system of the airport’s control tower where the control- Indeed, the Industrial Revolution appears so the Black Plague of the Dark Ages, is a humbling disaster response in which the right call to Mr. ler directs the airplanes going in and out of the primitive when compared to today’s achievements reminder that this generation has not yet mastered Trump can result in one county getting priority airport? Who would be the controller? Now, that in electronics and digital technology. And the one thing. over another. Advisers to Jared Kushner, the Trump has relinquished absolute authority, who’s Rennaisance is so old-fashioned alongside today’s Our mortality. ([email protected]) president’s son-in-law, have surprised FEMA in charge? officials in recent weeks to deploy supplies to At the end of the day, Trump has to get the communities after the area’s representatives got country out of the quagmire that it’s in right now. As I see it... From Page A6 Every wrong move he makes, every spike in the through to Mr. Trump, even if the state had not like movie theaters and sports venues can operate sible. Strongly consider using face coverings while number of cases and deaths, and every time the yet gone through the formal process to secure under limited physical distancing protocols. Bars can in public, and particularly when using mass transit. stock market crashes, Trump would go deeper supplies.” operate with increased standing room occupancy. We really want our lives back… but we need and deeper into the murky swamps of Washing- Kushner’s ad hoc team can intervene directly Throughout all the phases, people continue to be sure we are safe! to FEMA without going through Trump. A case ton politics, a victim of his own ineptitude. At to wash hands with soap and water or use hand (ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the in point was when Trump heard from friends that noon on January 20, 2021, ex-president Trump sanitizer. Avoid touching your face. Sneeze or cough Philippines and a multi-awarded journalist here in the US. For the New York public health system was running will be flown out of the White House lawn on Ma- into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow. Disinfect feedback, comments… please email the author at estiokoelpi- low on crucial supply, Kushner directed FEMA rine One on his way to political oblivion. (PerryD- frequently used items and surfaces as much as pos- [email protected]) officials to ensure that there were enough N95 [email protected]) A8 FilAm Star April 23-29, 2020 April 23-29, 2020 FilAm Star A9

Covered California enrolls tens Community of thousands as impacts of COVID-19 pandemic hit California Awareness Consumers who are having trouble accessing when necessary for the purpose of screening SACRAMENTO — Covered California an- “We are living in unprecedented times, and their account can reset their password online. and testing for COVID-19. In addition, Medi-Cal nounced recently that 58,400 people enrolled in California is doing everything it can to make covers costs associated with COVID-19 testing, health care coverage since the exchange an- sure people have access to care during this pub- Coverage you can count on evaluation and treatment services in both its nounced a special-enrollment period in response lic health emergency,” Lee said. “Having more During this public health emergency, it is managed care plans and with fee for service to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pace of sign- people insured and protected is the right thing important to note that all health plans offered providers. Covered California health plans will ups has been nearly three times the level that for California’s families and helps keep everyone through Covered California and by Medi-Cal pro- help cover costs that arise from any required Covered California saw during the same period better off as those with insurance don’t delay vide telehealth options for enrollees, giving in- treatment or hospitalization. in 2019. getting needed care.” dividuals the ability to connect with a health care In addition, most Covered California plans “We want to remind consumers that they In addition to enrolling online, consumers professional by phone or video without having to offer “first-dollar” coverage, meaning outpatient can get access to the care they need during who need health care coverage can visit Covered personally visit a doctor’s office or hospital. services are not subject to a deductible. this crisis, either through Covered California California’s “Find Help” page to get assistance All medically necessary screening and “A core part of our mission is improving or Medi-Cal,” said Peter Lee, executive direc- over the phone from one of Covered California’s testing for COVID-19 are free of charge. This in- access to high-quality health care, and that has tor of Covered California. “We know there are thousands of Certified Insurance Agents. The cludes telehealth or doctor’s office visits as well never been more important than it is right now hundreds of thousands of people out there who “Help on Demand” feature allows consumers to as network emergency room or urgent care visits in California,” Lee said. have either lost their health insurance or were get a call back from a certified enroller. uninsured when this crisis began and we want “Right now, when social distancing is the them to know there is a path to coverage ready new normal and an essential response to the for them.” coronavirus pandemic, health insurance is only The enrollment data covers the three-week a phone call away,” Lee said. “Being restricted period from March 20, when Covered California to your home does not mean you cannot get per- opened the health insurance exchange to any sonal and confidential help that is free.” eligible uninsured individuals who need health Consumers can easily find out if they are care coverage amid the COVID-19 emergency, eligible for Covered California or Medi-Cal, and through April 10. Anyone who meets Covered see which plans are available in their area, by California’s eligibility requirements, which using the Shop and Compare Tool and entering are similar to those in place during the annual their ZIP code, household income and the ages open-enrollment period, can sign up for cover- of those who need coverage. age through June 30. In addition, Covered California has seen Reaching the unemployed tremendous consumer interest on-line, with Covered California is also working with more than 885,000 new users visiting Covered- California’s Employment Development Depart- CA.com, which is twice the number of visits seen ment (EDD) to alert the uninsured that they can during the same time period last year. During get health care coverage through the exchange the same period, of those coming to CoveredCA. or Medi-Cal. Covered California produced the com, there were also more than 129,000 unique following insert, which is being included in un- page views to the Medi-Cal page. employment benefits that are being sent to con- “While Covered California is enrolling tens sumers. During each of the next three months, of thousands of people, we know that is only Covered California plans to deliver 3.5 million a small part of California’s response and that inserts to EDD for distribution. many, many more people will get the health care they need through Medi-Cal,” Lee said. Lowering the cost of coverage for Signing up for health care coverage those with insurance Consumers can easily enroll through Cov- Existing Covered California consumers may eredCA.com and find out whether they are eligi- be able to lower the cost of their coverage if they ble for financial help through Covered California have experienced a loss of income due to the or if they are eligible for no-cost or low-cost economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. coverage through Medi-Cal. People who sign The price of consumers’ monthly premiums is up through Covered California will have their based in part on their income, and if that income coverage begin on the first day of the following goes down, they may be eligible for additional month. Those eligible for Medi-Cal can have financial help from the federal government, coverage that is effective retroactively to the first state, or both. day of the month from when they submitted Consumers can report an income change by their application. logging in to their account at CoveredCA.com. A10 FilAm Star April 23-29, 2020 Business & nagagawa ang trabaho. which keeps your information safe. We have a new Ang mortgage lender po ninyo ang magsasabi program that reconstruct debts for half of what kung kayo ay qualified or not pag nag-apply kayo you would pay our competitors. We also provide Tech News at ito ay libre. Hindi po kailangang magbayad para legal assistance that keeps collectors away. We malaman kung kayo ay qualified. Kasama poito pag take Federal Credit Unions, Payday loans and high nag apply kayo. interest personal loans in our program too. This is Situation 2: Kung ang value ng inyong prop- exclusively available for Debt Aid Consulting clients. erty ay bumaba dahil sa recession at hindi dahil sa None of our competitors provide this program. You “Housing Bubble”, eventually po ay tataas po uli are well protected. Itama po natin! ang value nito. Medyo mabagal lang nga! Basta We only provide Federal Trade Commission po kaya ang monthly nito at tinitirahan ninyo, in a compliant programs. Debt relief companies who few years ay babalik ang normal na presyo nito sa charge non refundable upfront fees are in violation market. Hindi po forever ang recession. Dahil po of the ban. Go with Debt Aid Consulting! BEN LOU mabigat and tama sa US ng recession, ay hindi rin Do not fall for marketing gimmicks saying that ganong kabilis ang pagtaas. So, for this time i-hold they have the right program for you. Most mar- lang muna ang mga balak na renovations. keting companies only have one program and will Also, huwag gamitin ang mga credit cards para enroll you in that program whether it fits you or not. ma-renovate agad ang bahay. Mataas po masyado So beware! and interest nito para gamitin sa renovation. Cash Ben Lou at your service! I have over 30 years Q: Ang property ko po ay under water or dahil nabili ninyo ito bago nag“Housing Bubble” ay po ang pinaka mabuti kung talagang hindi mahintay. of real financial experience. If you would like sound mababa na ang value sa aking pagkakabili. Ano po malamang na matagal or hindi na bumalik ito sa ta- Ang advice ko po, “Keep it real”. Huwag po financial advice, call us at Debt Aid Consulting. We ba ang mahusay na gawin? mang presyo. In this case, you can seek the help of tayong mangarap ng bahay na alam natin na hindi do not use call centers like Financial Rescue. No one A: Hindi po simple ang sagot diyan dahil your bank para sa “Loan Modification”. Sa “Loan kaya. Remember, the bigger the property, the big- has the right to put your information at risk. Say no maraming paraan based sa situation ninyo. Modification” ay ma-aaring ma-adjust ng banko ger the mortgage, the bigger the maintenance and to LLC corporations in Canada! Debt Aid Consulting Situation 1: Kung nung binili ninyo ang ang utang or ang interest ninyo, depende sa pinaka the bigger the property tax. is the first and only Filipino debt restructuring com- property ay nasa mataas ang assessment sa presyo mabuting modification na nababagay sa situation. Ating lesson, Ang lupa’t bahay ay taas, baba, pany incorporated in the US and Canada. at significant po and binaba, kailangan po kayong Magingat lang po sa nagsasabing matutulun- pero sa huli ito ang tahanang di dapat mawala. Now serving the Caribbean Islands! gumawa ng research. Bago po nagtaasan ang gan nila kayo sa “Loan Modification” at naniningil If you need help in getting out of debt, call Debt Tawag na po sa 1-888-341-5234 at tutulungan mga property sa area ninyo ay ano po ang normal ng fee ahead of the service. Bawal po na kumulekta Aid Consulting. We help with Credit Repair while po namin kayo. na value nito. Kung ang value was over assessed ng fee para dito sa serviciong ito nang hindi pa and after your program. We do not use call centers Itama po natin ang mali!

with the social network. COVID-19,” Zuckerberg said. The scientists also rely on anonymized data “Since experiencing symptoms is a precursor from Google and other partners on symptoms and to becoming more seriously ill, this survey can help Facebook-powered virus search queries. forecast how many cases hospitals will see in the “The survey asked people if they have symp- days ahead and provide an early indicator of where toms such as fevers, coughing, shortness of the outbreak is growing and where the curve is ‘heat map’ unveiled breath or loss of smell that are associated with being successfully flattened.” (AFP) RESEARCHERS Monday unveiled a coronavi- is spreading,” Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook rus “heat map” powered by Facebook data which page and in the Washington Post. Facebook launches app is aimed at helping track the spread of the disease “With a community of billions of people glob- and plan for reopening society. ally, Facebook can uniquely help researchers and The Carnegie Mellon University project health authorities get the information they need to for livestream gaming offers “real-time indications of COVID-19 activity respond to the outbreak and start planning for the not previously available from any other source,” recovery.” FACEBOOK on Monday launched a standalone coronavirus pandemic. according to a university statement. Carnegie Mellon researchers said they are gaming app, allowing users to create and watch Facebook said it sees strong interest in the The map was developed with millions of re- receiving about one million responses per week livestreams of games in a challenge to the Ama- new app, with some 700 million of its global users sponses to surveys of Facebook and Google users from Facebook users, and have also gotten some zon-owned Twitch platform. already playing games or participating in gaming as part of an effort to monitor the spread of the 600,000 from Google users. The new app was available Monday for An- groups on its platform. virus. “Using these and other unique data sources, droid devices, with a separate version for Apple’s It has been testing the app in some parts of Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg the CMU researchers will monitor changes over iOS in the works. the world since 2018. said the heat map, currently available for the Unit- time, enabling them to forecast COVID-19 activity Facebook said the new app will enable “The Facebook Gaming app is a focused, ed States, was being expanded globally with help several weeks into the future,” the research team users to watch “e-sports” or game competitions gaming-only experience where you can watch your from University of Maryland research teams. said. as well as participate in games with other users favorite streamers, play instant games and take “As the world fights COVID-19 and countries The research uses responses to Facebook sur- online. part in gaming groups,” the leading social network develop plans to reopen their societies, it’s critical veys about symptoms people are experiences, with The leading social network said it accelerated said in a statement on Twitter. to have a clear understanding of how the disease data controlled by university team and not shared the launch “to encourage meaningful community “It’s all of Facebook Gaming in one neat, app- interactions” for people locked down due to the sized package.” (AFP) US loan program under fire as Shake Shack returns SBA money A GIANT emergency lending program for small can apply for the PPP, which covers eight weeks American businesses devastated by coronavirus of payroll or rent and converts to grants if com- shutdowns was under fresh scrutiny Monday after panies maintain their employees or rehire laid-off upscale burger chain Shake Shack returned a $10 workers by June 30, and use three-quarters of the million loan. funding on wages. The initiative created an uproar after news But Shake Shack, which has nearly 8,000 that large restaurant chains snapped up funding US workers, was able to qualify for the loan meant to be a lifeline for mom-and-pop business- because individual restaurants only have about es and their workers. 45 employees, the company’s leaders said in a Amid the controversy, Congress is working statement. on another big infusion of funds for the Small The company, whose menu touts antibiot- Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection ic-free meat and fresher ingredients, applied “to Program (PPP), after the agency burned through protect as many of our employees’ jobs as possi- the initial $349 billion in less than 14 days. ble,” Shake Shack Chief Executive Randy Garutti But the program, which was ramped up and Chairman Danny Meyer said in the message, with unprecedented speed amid skyrocketing US adding they were facing losses of $1.5 million a unemployment, provided loans for several larger week. chains. Garutti and Meyer said they did not realize They included Ruth’s Chris Steak House and until last week that the PPP funds would run out Potbelly sandwich shops, as well as Shake Shack, and opted to return the $10 million after they a publicly traded company that has grown quickly obtained financing from private sources. into a worldwide chain of 275 restaurants with The company entered into an agreement with $575 million in sales last year. JPMorgan, Bank of America and Wells Fargo to The controversy has attracted President Don- sell common stock worth up to $75 million, Shake ald Trump’s attention. Shack said in a securities filing Friday. Asked Monday whether it was fair for such “We’ve decided to immediately return the big firms to be using funding reserved for small entire $10 million PPP loan we received last week businesses, Trump told reporters that the govern- to the SBA so that those restaurants who need it ment would look at the issue and “some people most can get it now,” they said, as they called for will have to return if we think it’s inappropriate.” more funding for the program. Trump, a billionaire owner of properties in- Potbelly also received a $10 million loan, and cluding hotels that were forced to close during the Ruth’s Chris reportedly received $20 million. pandemic, insisted his companies did not benefit from the relief funding. - Shut out - “I didn’t get any, that’s for sure,” he said. Andrew Rigie, executive director of New York Critics say big firms have much easier access City Hospitality Alliance, said restaurants of all to capital than the smaller companies the program sizes have been harmed by the coronavirus shut- was meant to target. downs, but smaller businesses ought to get first “Many businesses with thousands of employ- priority over “those that could be able to survive ees have found loopholes to qualify for these loans without government support.” meant for small businesses,” said Republican Rigie, whose group represents restaurants Senator Rick Scott of Florida. and nightlife venues, has heard from dozens of “Unfortunately, when it comes to the PPP, restaurants that “were wrongly shut out” of the millions of dollars are being wasted.” PPP, in some cases because they had no relation- SBA data shows that about nine percent of ship with banks that made the loans. the PPP funds were for loans worth more than $5 Rigie also called for the government to extend million, while about 32 percent went to loans of the period for the hiring requirements until at least $350,000 or less. the end of 2020. The controversy comes as power brokers in “We need to immediately put in more funding Washington are again mobilizing to enable the and also make changes so that it works better for PPP to resume lending. Trump said Monday that the restaurant industry,” he told AFP. the White House and congressional Democrats JPMorgan Chase, the nation’s largest bank, could reach an agreement soon. said it is continuing to work on applications during US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the funding lapse. Sunday the administration was proposing an addi- The bank said more than 60 percent of its tional $300 billion for the program. PPP funds have gone to businesses with fewer than 25 employees and 80 percent of the loans have - Small business? - gone to businesses with less than $5 million in Businesses with fewer than 500 employees revenue. (AFP) April 23-29, 2020 FilAm Star A11 Community Awareness 2020 Census update San José Mayor, Silicon Valley IN LIGHT of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Cen- to households this month. sus Bureau announced on April 13 its request to Remember, it has never been easier to Congress to extend the deadline to respond to respond to the census. While many commu- leaders announce COVID-19 the census to October 31. nities are in city- or state-wide shutdown, you The Census Bureau has also requested that are strongly encouraged to respond to the Congress approve the new dates for major 2020 2020 Census on-line using a desktop comput- economic recovery council Census activities such as: er, laptop, smartphone, or tablet, and can also August 11 – October 31, 2020: Census tak- respond by phone or mail. SAN JOSE -- Mayor Liccardo recently an- and geography of the region. Individual partic- ers start visiting homes to help residents fill out If you prefer to fill out the questionnaire by nounced the formation of the Silicon Valley Eco- ipants will be announced within the next two the census (previously May 13 – July 31) phone, the Census Bureau also has live cus- nomic Recovery and Resilience Council (SV-ER- weeks and will include representatives from the October 31, 2020: Last day to respond to tomer service representatives supporting direct RC), a group of Silicon Valley business leaders following sectors: the census (previously August 14) phone lines to 14 languages. If you call and who will set the path for economic recovery in the Innovation Economy: Tech, Communica- April 30, 2021: Deliver state population encounter wait times, the callback option has region. tions, Biotech, Manufacturing, VCs totals to the President (previously December been the best way to get connected with a live This flagship group will be tasked with mak- Retail/Service: Restaurants, Small Business, 31, 2020) customer representative, so make sure to use ing policy recommendations to local and regional Auto Dealers, Airlines, Hotels July 31, 2020: Deliver redistricting counts this option. The callback option enables callers governing bodies that ensure political leaders Real Estate: Residential and Commercial to state (previously April 1, 2021) to leave a message and receive a timely call harness state and federal resources, get families Builders and Brokers, Infrastructure There are over 70 million households that back from a census worker to process their back to work and prepare for the economy’s “new Higher Education and Workforce Support have responded to the census to date, which is 2020 Census response when all call center normal”. Financial Institutions and Economic Advi- nearly half of all U.S. households. The census agents are busy assisting others. “As the curve begins to flatten and we shift sors invitation letter was sent to all households last Everyone can respond to the census on their our focus from the immediate task of saving lives, Construction: Home and Commercial Build- month. For those that have not yet completed own, without having to meet a census taker. For we now turn our attention to the critical respon- ers the census, the paper questionnaire is going out more information, visit 2020CENSUS.GOV. sibility of saving livelihoods,” said Liccardo. “We Health Care Providers are immensely grateful to the members of this There will be separate committees that council as we harness their incredible brainpower revise and receive feedback for the private and Avoiding scams and and business prowess to explore ways to restart public sectors. No elected officials will sit on any our regional economy.” committees of the SV-ERRC. The SV-RRC will be given six months to “The economic devastation experienced by fraud aimed at small formulate policy recommendations related the business community is sobering. With over to job creation required for a hard reset of 200,000 layoffs in Santa Clara County, the need our regional economy. The SV-ERC will be to form a plan for a speedy recovery is imperative businesses co-chaired by five high-profile leaders rep- and will need the expertise of the Valley’s greatest resenting business, labor, and philanthropy, minds,” added Liccardo. “With this novel part- THE CITY of San Jose joins the Small Business ous links sent to you by unknown senders. including: nership between the community, elected officials Administration in encouraging owners to pro- Look at offers carefully that appear too good 1. Bobby Alvarado, Executive Officer, NorCal and the world’s greatest thinkers working in tect their business by being alert about potential to be true before accepting. Carpenters Regional Council tandem, Silicon Valley can begin the journey to fraud schemes offering financial or other assis- Don’t skip doing research on a company with 2. Carl Guardino, CEO of the Silicon Valley recovery.” SAN JOSE -- Mayor Liccardo recently tance. which you are thinking of doing business. Leadership Group announced the formation of the Silicon Valley "What should I watch out for?" Where can I get more information? 3. Chuck Robbins, Chairman and CEO, Cisco Economic Recovery and Resilience Council Understand that the federal govern- There are many government offices including 4. Lisa Su, President and CEO, AMD (SV-ERRC), a group of Silicon Valley business ment does not make unsolicited phone or the SBA, FBI, FTC, USA.gov, and Department 5. Nicole Taylor, President and CEO, Silicon leaders who will set the path for economic recov- electronic contacts with small business owners of Homeland Security which provide guidance Valley Community Foundation ery in the region. regarding loans, grants, or tax returns. on avoiding scams. Silicon Valley has been a focal point during This flagship group will be tasked with mak- Be cautious about giving sensitive informa- Insights are also available from non-profits the COVID-19 crisis, serving as a national exam- ing policy recommendations to local and regional tion like your bank accounts and identification like the Better Business Bureau and Adaptable ple for decisive early action including pioneering governing bodies that ensure political leaders numbers to someone if you did not initiate Security. policy such as rental eviction moratoriums and harness state and federal resources, get families contact. How can I report scams and fraud? paid sick leave, social compliance to Santa Clara back to work and prepare for the economy’s “new Beware of anyone who offers to connect Most government programs offer a way to County’s stay-at-home orders, and strong com- normal”. you with loan or grant programs in exchange report fraud. For instance, the SBA’s Office of munity support for residents and businesses “As the curve begins to flatten and we shift for up-front payment or high-interest bridge Inspector General has a hotline at (800) 767- whose livelihoods have been adversely affected. our focus from the immediate task of saving lives, loans. There is never a fee to apply for any SBA 0385 and reports can be made on-line. This support culminated in the creation of Silicon we now turn our attention to the critical respon- loan or other Federal assistance program. The Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office is Valley Strong, a hub of information, resources, sibility of saving livelihoods,” said Liccardo. “We Watch out for common email tricks able to take fraud reports. and financial assistance for the region’s worst are immensely grateful to the members of this like “spoof” email addresses, where the send- The Better Business Bureau helps business- affected. council as we harness their incredible brainpower er falsely makes themselves look like they are es be aware of companies that engage in bad or The Council will be comprised of approxi- and business prowess to explore ways to restart from a trusted source or company and danger- illegal behavior. mately 30 members representing the diversity our regional economy.” A12 FilAm Star April 23-29, 2020 Legal & Law Success Stories received approval from Immigration Court for a 1. For the month of March 2020, we waiver of misrepresentation for a client who has received six Adjustment of Status and three committed marriage fraud. We also received Naturalization approvals from USCIS. approval from USCIS of two naturalization ap- 2. For the month of February 2020, we re- plications and two fiancé visa petition. ceived approvals from USCIS of five Adjustment 9. For the month of July 2019, we re- Adjustment of Status of Status application and three Naturalization ceived approvals of three N-400 application for application. Naturalization, one I-751 Petition to remove 3. For the month of January 2020, we re- condition of residence with interview and two for Family petitions ceived approvals from USCIS of five Adjustment I-90 renewal of green card. of status applications, three N-400 applications 10. For June 2019, we received approvals for naturalization and three fiancé visa applica- of four adjustment of status, six naturalization tion. applications and two certificate of citizenship BY ATTY. CRISPIN CADAY LOZANO 4. For the month of December 2019, applications, and one Removal of condition on we received four approvals of naturalization resident. applications, five approvals of Adjustment of 11. On May 6, 2019, we received approvals OR the relatives of those who filed a Feb 1, 2010 Status applications, two approvals of Petition to of three adjustment of status applications and petition sometime before April 30, 2001, F3 Married son and daughter of US citizen remove condition on residence, one renewal of two Naturalization applications. Fthey may be able to adjust their status May 15, 2000 green card approval and one green card applica- 12. On April 24, 2019, we received approv- if they are in the United States provided they F4 Brothers and sisters of US citizen tion at the U.S. Embassy. al from USCIS for three naturalization applica- qualified under INA Sec. 245(i). This section of May 1, 2000 5. For the month of November 2019, we tions and one adjustment of status. the Immigration law allows aliens in the United The current visa processing is advantageous received approvals of one naturalization applica- 13. On March 29, 2019, we received an ap- States to adjust status if they have a petition to those who are the married son and daughters tion, one renewal of green card, one Petition to proval of adjustment of status for a client whose filed on or before April 30, 2001. They need to of US citizen(F3) and those brothers and sisters remove condition on residence and one adjust- petitioner and primary beneficiary has died look for their specific Family based preferences of U.S. citizens (F4) because they most likely ment of status. under INA 204(l) and see if they qualify to adjust status this qualify under Sec. 245(i). If they are in the 6. For the month of October 2019, we If you have immigration problems the Law time. Presented below are the family based United States they may adjust status received five naturalization application approv- Offices of Crispin C. Lozano can help you find a preferences being processed for April 2020 for If you are one of those beneficiaries current- als and two renewal of green card and one DACA solution before your problem gets worse which final action: ly processing you should consult with an attor- approval. could lead to deportation and family separation. F1 Unmarried adult children of U..S. citi- ney to evaluate your case. 7. For the month of September 2019, we zens Mar 1, 2010 Note: This is not a legal advice. You received approval of two naturalization applica- Crispin Caday Lozano, Esq. is an active member of the State Bar of California, the American Immigration F2A Spouse and minor children of LPR should consult with an attorney to evaluate your tions, one adjustment of status and one applica- Lawyers Association and San Francisco Trial Lawyers. Current specific case. Our office provide free consulta- tion to remove condition on residence. He practices immigration law, bankruptcy and F2B Adult unmarried children of LPR tion on immigration matters. 8. For the month of August, 2019, we personal injury law since June 1999. His contact phone is 1-877-456-9266, email: [email protected] US urges China to lift VW agrees 620 mn restrictions on rights lawyer euros payout to German THE UNITED States called Monday on China to lift restrictions on the movements of prominent lawyer Wang Quanzhang and urged the release of ‘dieselgate’ victims other detained rights advocates. Wang, who defended political activists and victims of land seizures, was released this month after nearly five years in prison but was not immediately allowed to return home. The State Department called on China to allow Wang’s “freedom of movement, including the ability to join his family in Beijing.” “We remain very concerned about reports of his declining physical and mental health, and of his mistreatment in prison,” State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said. “We continue to call for the release of all of those unjustly detained, such as Li Yuhan and Yu Wensheng, as well as other Chinese citizens who are in detention simply for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms in pursuit of a more equitable and just society, governed by the rule of law,” she said. (Facebook) Wang was rounded up as part of a sweeping Pres. Xi Jinping (Facebook) crackdown on lawyers and government critics in VOLKSWAGEN has agreed to pay 620 million its-kind collective lawsuit brought by 400,000 2015. the weekend criticized the arrest of high-profile euros in compensation to 200,000 car owners diesel car drivers. His wife, Li Wenzu, told AFP earlier this democracy campaigners in Hong Kong. in the biggest German lawsuit over the group’s VW has been battling to turn the page since month that she feared Wang would be placed President Donald Trump has also targeted “dieselgate” emissions cheating scandal, the its 2015 admission to fitting 11 million vehicles under house arrest and subject to surveillance China over its handling of the global COVID-19 company said Monday. with software to make their diesel engines despite his release from prison. pandemic that originated in Wuhan, although in Owners will shortly receive a binding appear less polluting in regulatory tests than in The United States has frequently criticized recent weeks he has toned down his comments as agreement from Volkswagen and have two real driving conditions. China over its human rights record and over part of a truce with President Xi Jinping. (AFP) weeks to review the offer before the money is Aside from the 400,000 diesel owners in paid out from May 5, the company and the VZBV the VZBV’s grouped proceeding, around 70,000 federation of consumer groups said. individuals have open claims against VW. VW reached an out-of-court settlement In May, one individual’s case will be heard Coronavirus pandemic with the VZBV at the end of February to provide at Germany’s top administrative court. compensation for 260,000 eligible customers of Plaintiffs whose cases were included in the ‘amplifies press freedom up to 830 million euros ($902 million) in total. mass suit had the choice either to accept the The “high number of settlements” was settlement by April, or to file an individual suit proof that the offer was “perceived as fair,” said by October. threats’ Hiltrud Werner, head of integrity and legal So far the fallout from the scandal has cost affairs on the Volkswagen board. VW more than 30 billion euros worldwide in THE CORONAVIRUS pandemic is exacerbat- Africa’s lowest-ranked country at number 178. Car owners will receive between 1,350 and legal costs, fines and compensation, most of it in ing threats to press freedom around the world, The third biggest leap was by Sudan, which 6,250 euros, depending on the age and model of the United States. with authoritarian states including China and rose 16 places to 159th after the removal of their vehicle. It has paid just 2.3 billion euros in fines Iran suppressing details of the outbreak, activists president Omar al-Bashir. According to Volkswagen, a remaining in home country Germany, while boss Herbert said on Tuesday. France lost two places to rank 32nd, with 21,000 cases are still to be processed in coming Diess is among high-ranking current and former Paris-based Reporters Without Borders journalists in the country sometimes the victims of days. board members under criminal investigation. (RSF) said in its annual press freedom rankings police violence at demonstrations, the report said. The company has extended the deadline Investors are also pursuing the company for that the pandemic was “highlighting and Published annually by RSF since 2002, the for consumers to upload their documents to its compensation over their losses from the plunge amplifying the many crises” already casting a World Press Freedom Index assesses factors online portal until April 30. in its share price after the diesel cheating was shadow on press freedom. such as media independence, self-censorship, The settlement puts an end to a first-of- revealed. (AFP) The outbreak had encouraged some regimes the legal framework and transparency based on a to “take advantage of the fact people are stunned questionnaire filled out by experts. and mobilisation has weakened to impose measures that would be impossible to adopt in - ‘Chinese-style scenario’ - normal times”, RSF secretary general Christophe Turkey, where President Recep Tayyip Top China official for Hong Kong Deloire told AFP. Erdogan has been repeatedly criticised for The rankings saw few major changes from cracking down on press freedom, rose three security probed for corruption last year, with Nordic countries regarded as the places to 154th but RSF said this was because most free and isolated states Turkmenistan and of “other countries falling” rather than positive CHINA’S deputy public security minister, who the Chinese mainland. North Korea footing the list of 180 countries. change. was placed in charge of security affairs for pro- A growing number of Communist Party RSF accused China and Iran -- in 177th and It said censorship of the media, especially test-wracked Hong Kong in 2017, is being investi- cadres have been caught in President Xi Jinping’s 173rd place respectively -- of censoring major online media, has been stepped up in Turkey and gated by the country’s anti-graft body for alleged anti-corruption campaign, which critics say coronavirus outbreaks. the country was “more authoritarian than ever.” corruption. has also served as a way to remove the leader’s Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, in Sun Lijun was being investigated for political enemies. - ‘Information hyper-control’ - 149th place, is also persevering with “efforts to “serious violations of discipline and the law” -– a The graft probe targeting Sun follows the Alluding to accusations that Beijing control the Internet, using ever more elaborate euphemism for corruption -- according to China’s high-profile arrest of Meng Hongwei, the former concealed the initial extent of the outbreak, it methods”, it said, citing a law that would allow Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Interpol president who also served as a deputy said China “maintains its system of information the country to disconnect the Russian internet The notice, published late Sunday, did not security minister in China. hyper-control, whose negative effects for from the rest of the world. give details on the alleged wrongdoings. Meng disappeared during a trip to China the entire world have been seen during the “The prospect of a Chinese-style scenario (in Sun, 51, was last seen in public in early from France in September 2018, and was jailed coronavirus public health crisis”. Russia) is alarming,” RSF said. March in Wuhan, the city at the epicentre of for more than 13 years in January after pleading Europe has also not been immune -- A Chinese foreign ministry official hit back China’s coronavirus outbreak, the official People’s guilty to abusing his position and taking over $2 Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, on Tuesday, claiming RSF “has always been Public Security Daily reported. million in bribes. has passed a special law on false information biased against China” and adding that China He had also visited Hubei province -- where The Communist Party committee of the which RSF called a “completely disproportionate welcomes reporters from other countries to work nearly 3,900 have died from COVID-19 -- in public security ministry –- an important decision- and coercive measure”. there -- “while adhering to laws and regulations”. February to encourage frontline police officers, making body of which Sun was a member -- said It added that there was a “clear correlation” RSF said “the closure of the national state-run Xinhua news agency reported. it “unanimously expressed its firm support” for between suppression of media freedom in internet” is already a reality in the isolated On top of his main role, Sun was appointed the investigation into Sun. response to the coronavirus pandemic and a Central Asian state of Turkmenistan where director of the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan “Sun’s investigation on suspicion of serious country’s ranking in the index. the few internet users can access only a highly office under the ministry of public security in violations of discipline and law is the inevitable While Norway topped the index for the censored version of the Internet, often in cafes December 2017. result of his long-term disregard of the party’s fourth year in a row, Finland was again the where they have to show ID before connecting. Hong Kong was shaken by widespread political discipline and rules, and his failure to runner-up. “Almost everywhere in Eastern Europe and and sometimes violent street protests last year, observe discipline, disregard rules, ignorance, North Korea took last position from Central Asia, strongmen are consolidating their grip sparked by a now-abandoned proposal to allow and wanton behavior,” the committee said in a Turkmenistan, and Eritrea continued to be on news and information,” RSF warned. (AFP) extraditions from the semi-autonomous city to statement. (AFP) April 23-29, 2020 FilAm Star A13 Health & Health@Heart Lifestyle More on of hospital personnel and others spread the improbable. WHO is investigating. In the contamination with SARS-CoV2 virus on the meantime, recovered patients are advised to stay floor. The tests revealed 100% positivity the home for an additional 2 weeks for extended COVID-19 pharmacy floor, where there are no COVID-19 monitoring. patients, 35% in ICU, 12.5% in the general wards, In view of the possibility of resurgence or 45% in COVID-19 patient’s room, and 36% near re-infection (?), even among those who have PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS air outlets. One of the 8 tests was positive in recovered, it appears we have to continue our the doctors’ clinic. This virus can spread 13 feet proactive and preemptive strategy to avoid HE international medical community is still January 21; Hong Kong, Macau, January 22; through the air and carried on shoes, per CDC COVID-19, even after this pandemic has subsided, examining, observing, and learning about Singapore, Vietnam, January 23; France, Nepal, report, confirmed by the tests above. for at least for a couple of months thereafter. Tthis novelCorona virus, SARS-Cov-2 virus, January 24; Australia, Canada, Malaysia, January This goes with frequent hand washing, personal the cause of COVID-19. Since it is new, the virus, 25; Cambodia, Germany, Sri Lanka, January 27; Mail and packages hygiene, a bit of social distancing, and even a bit of which belongs to the family of Corona viruses, is Finland, United Arab Emirates, January 29; India, It is best not to handle mail or packages with paranoia (medical vigilance), all of which are also still posing a great challenge to the scientific world Italy, Philippines, January 30; Russia, Spain, bare hands. We do not know if the mail carrier good to avoid other infections. and all peoples around the globe. Sweden, United kingdom, January 31. or handlers are carriers of the virus, so it is safer to leave those items in your garage for at least Deaths among our healthcare heroes The first case Most infectious 24 hours. After handling them, wash hands with Many physicians, nurses, allied healthcare Since the very first case, a 55-year-old man, Those persons exposed to the SARS-CoV2 warm water and foamy soap, which washes away personnel and other front-liners in this war infected in Wuhan (the city where a biolab is virus and are carriers are most infectious a day or the protective fatty layer around the protein against CVOID-19, with courage and compassion, working on various viruses), Hubei, China, two before symptoms appear. This makes the virus molecule and destroys the virus. This virus is also braved the battlefield, many unprotected because on November 17, 2019, as reported by South quite treacherous, and because of its virulence, deactivated by a temperature of 133F or 56.1C. of shortage in Personal Protective Equipment China Morning Post, the actual confirmed case it is rapidly transmitted exponentially to people Hospitals, clinics, and some people use UV-C (PPE) a couple of weeks ago, sacrificed their (and of the nCorona infection was an elderly man within 6 feet of each other. The virus could remain light to destroy the virus. After using disinfectants, their family’s) safety and lives to save the lives of with Alzheimer’s, who was homebound, whose floating in the air for up to 7.5 hours, and travel wash hands thoroughly, especially for chlorine- others. symptoms started December 1, 2019, who had not more than 12 feet, compared to about 3 hours (6 based cleaners. The old faithful Hydrogen In Italy, as of the end of March, there were been to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in feet) in the previous SARS-CoV1 of 2002, which Peroxide also destroys the SARS-CoV2 virus. And 61 physicians and countless nurses and other Wuhan, according to the January 2020 issue of The also started in China (Guangdong province). This so with 75% to 91% alcohol, Lysol, and Clorox. caretakers who died of COVID-19 and around Lancet. China first reported the Wuhan nCorona is where staying home, social distancing, wearing Again: foamy soap suds and water demolishes the 17,000 healthcare providers who tested positive. outbreak December 30, 2019. The duplicity and a cap, well-fitted mask (N-95 of possible, with virus! Some of them were retired physicians who delay have killed thousands of lives around the an added layer of coffee filter or cloth or paper), volunteered. China has 198 physician-deaths (ages globe, courtesy of socialism. This would not have goggles over glasses, and gloves are vital. It is C-19 worse than the flu between 20 and 90), and in the Philippines almost happened in a free and democratic society. best to avoid touching public door knobs, doors, This season, more than 39 million Americans 20 physicians. In the USA, more than 9,200 health handrails, other surfaces in public, not with bare will be infected with the flu, compared to about workers have tested positive, with 27 deaths, Wuhan COVID-19 deaths up by 50% hands. The gloves, once used, must be considered 810,000 COVID-19 patients so far, with nearly but officials say the accurate figures could be As of April 17th, Chinese officials have contaminated and cannot be used to touch the 45,000 deaths in the USA. The estimated deaths higher. We do not have the data for the other 207 reported a 50% increase in the Wuhan city death face, either. Gloves must be washed with soap and from flu this year is around 59,000 in the United countries. When the global statistics are finally toll from COVID-19, raising it to 3,869, from water also, just like hands. States. The death rate for flu is 0.1%, while for available, it is certain that the death toll among 2,579, an increase of 1,290, due to an overwhelmed COVID-19, it is 2-3%. Those with high blood these selfless and dedicated super-humans on the system which delayed reporting, including those SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces pressure, heart disease, diabetes, have about 6% front line of this war would be in the thousands. who died at home, previously unreported. Current Studies have shown that this virus (which higher risk. COVID-19 is evidently deadlier. They and their colleagues who survived and are cases in the USA is greater than than 810,000 with is not a living microbe but a protein molecule today in harm’s way, honorably serving, are all more 45,000 deaths; China is around 83,000, covered by a protective layer of fat, like other Recovered, re-tested positive our unsung heroes, whose selfless sacrifices, will with about 4,700 deaths; Philippines, about 6,700, viruses) stays active on various surfaces for On April 17, 2020, 163 fully recovered forever inspire the world and admired with eternal and around 450 deaths; global total is higher than a different length of time. On metals, glass, COVID-19 patients in South Korea have tested gratitude. 2.6 million, with about 190,000 deaths, in 210 ceramics, paper, wood – active up to 5 days; on positive again. After flattening the curve and countries. plastic, stainless steel – up to 3 days; on cardboard feeling some relief, this country is now concerned Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac (shipping boxes) – up to 24 hours; on aluminum – Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and about the relapse, which doubled from 74 on Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical First case by country up to 8 hours; and on copper – up to 4 hours. April 9th, following recovery of 7,829 patients, lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United China reported its first case on January 2, 2% of these now back to isolation. These patients Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation 2020; Thailand, January 13; Japan, January 16; Virus spread by shoes were supposed to have antibodies in them, so in the United States. Websites: philipSchua.com and South Korea and the USA, January 20; Taiwan, Swab testing of floors shows that the shoes re-infection from a new carrier is ruled most FUN8888.com What we know about the ‘devious’ coronavirus WILL THE novel coronavirus leave you short of hospitalisation, that rose to 4.3 percent for those milder cases, the mortality rate would likely be described neurological symptoms: loss of smell breath or make you lose your sense of smell? And in their forties. significantly lower. and taste, nervous pain, confusion, even seizures if you have had it once, can you be confident you And almost one in five people in their eighties With those undetected cases added “that and strokes. are immune? So far, the research on COVID-19 with the disease -- 18.4 percent -- developed a probably brings the mortality rates down This could be due to a phenomenon known has raised as many questions as it has answered. form serious enough to need treatment in hospital. to somewhere around one percent,” top US as a “cytokine storm”, a rapid overreaction of the The tiny pathogen, which is spiked with Chronic illnesses can also raise the risk. government scientist Anthony Fauci said in immune system. proteins that scientists think it uses to latch on to In a report looking at 20,000 deaths, Italy’s comments to Congress. There is no vaccine or medication, and the host cells of its victims, is surprisingly slippery. National Institute of Health (ISS) found the “Which means it is 10 times more lethal than management involves treating the symptoms. “This virus is a nasty piece of work,” says most common underlying health problem was the seasonal flu,” he said. However, some patients have been given antiviral Jean-Francois Delfraissy, a specialist helping hypertension, seen in 69.7 percent of cases, “This is a really serious problem that we have drugs or other experimental treatments, as France with its COVID-19 response. followed by diabetes in 32 percent, and coronary to take seriously.” scientists look for treatments. Here is what we know so far: heart disease in 27.7 percent. The dangerousness of a disease partly Finally, according to a large analysis depends on its ability to spread. Even a mortality - How is it transmitted? - - Who is most at risk? - published in February by Chinese researchers in rate of one percent can translate into a significant The virus is mainly transmitted by respiration There is a growing wealth of data that the American medical journal JAMA, the disease death toll if the disease affects a large proportion and physical contact, and it seems that a patient suggests the severity of COVID-19, the disease is mild in 80.9 percent of cases, serious in 13.8 of the population. can already be contagious even before the first caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, increases with percent and critical in 4.7 percent. Pressure on hospitals caused by a huge influx symptoms appear. age. of patients has also exacerbated COVID-19’s toll. Respiratory transmissions occur via droplets Recent research, largely focused on several - How many deaths? - of saliva expelled by an infected person, for hundred cases observed in China in late February, If you were to compare the number of deaths - What are the symptoms? - example in a cough. Scientists believe that this suggested the disease is on average much more in the world to the total number of officially The World Health Organization lists the most would require close contact, at a distance of about dangerous for those aged over 60, a group that has registered cases, you might conclude that common symptoms as fever, fatigue and a dry a metre (three feet). a mortality rate of 6.4 percent among confirmed COVID-19 kills roughly seven percent of diagnosed cough. You could also become infected by touching a cases. patients, depending on the country. But it says some patients may experience a contaminated object and then putting your hand But this climbs higher the older patients are, But this number should be taken with caution variety of other ailments, from a runny nose to to your face. with 13.4 percent of cases aged over 80 leading to -- it is unclear how many people have been diarrhoea. Two studies, one published in mid-March and death, against only 0.32 percent for those under infected. The virus can often cause shortness of the other in mid-April, in the US New England 60. Many people seem to develop few or no breath, which in the most severe cases can lead to Journal of Medicine found the new coronavirus The study, which was published in the British symptoms and are for the most part not counted in respiratory failure. is detectable for up to two or three days on plastic medical journal The Lancet on March 31, also said the official figures, with countries taking markedly It is also becoming increasingly clear that or stainless steel surfaces, and up to 24 hours on the proportion of people with COVID-19 needing different approaches to testing and many not the coronavirus can affect the brain and nervous cardboard. hospital care increased sharply with age -- while following up on every suspected case. system. However, these maximum durations are only only 0.04 percent of 10 to 19-year-olds required If official tallies included figures for Field observations and several studies have theoretical. (AFP) HOROSCOPE KROSWORD (Source: Kappapuzzles.com) www.starlightastrology.com ARIES (MAR. 21- APRIL 20) LIBRA (SEPT. 24 -OCT. 23) Don’t let friends or relatives make you feel guilty if you’re not Use your added discipline to get what you want. Your ideas able to attend one of their affairs. Don’t let domestic problems may be a little ahead of their time; don’t push them, instead interfere with your objectives. Opportunities to learn important just continue working on development. Go over their important information will surface through discussions with peers or documents and take the time to suggest alternatives. Trips will seminars you attend. You need to get out and challenge yourself. be exciting. Your lucky day this week will be Wednesday. Your lucky day this week will be Wednesday. SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 22) TAURUS (APR. 21- MAY 21) Your determination and stamina will make your work look Your ability to work with detail will bring recognition. Don’t get flaw less and effortless. Unexpected visitors will be a welcome involved in other people’s private doings. Don’t let your partner surprise. Don’t overextend your self in order to add luxury items put you down. Talk to someone you trust in order to see the whole to your entertainment center. Get involved in competitive sports. picture. Your lucky day this week will be Sunday. Friends will appreciate your attention and playful nature. Your lucky day this week will be Tuesday. GEMINI (MAY 22-JUNE 21) Be careful not to sign your time or your cash away. You may SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21) find yourself mixed up in a triangle of sorts. Some of that extra You may have the day off but your thoughts will be on your energy you have stored up might just be put to good use. You work and your cash situation. You need to take a long, hard look need to mingle with people who can spark enthusiasm and at yourself and your personal situation. Your health may have confidence in you. Your lucky day this week will be Tuesday. suffered due to neglect or abuse. Don’t let situations get out of control. CANCER (JUNE 22-JULY 22) Your lucky day this week will be Saturday. You need a change and you need to earn more cash. Read between the lines before you sign your name. You can help sort CAPRICORN (DEC 22.- JAN. 20) out problems that friends are facing. Invite friends over. Your lucky Put your plans into motion by presenting your intentions to day this week will be Sunday. those who should be able to give you financial support. Try to be fair in your dealings with acquaintances. Emotionally you won’t LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) see things accurately. You can enjoy short trips. Romance is likely if you participate in unusual forms of Your lucky day this week will be Sunday. entertainment. You will have to check your cash flow before you decide to indulge in hobbies or entertainment that may be AQUARIUS (JAN. 21.- FEB. 19) beyond your budget. Social events will lead to a strong and stable Payoff all your debts before you go out and celebrate. Try relationship. You can make it up to them later. Your lucky day this to be reasonable. Your family may be feeling neglected and week will be Wednesday. unloved. Hold your temper and refrain from doing anything that might cause injury. Your lucky day this week will be Monday. VIRGO (AUG. 23 -SEPT. 23) Get motivated and follow up on some self-improvement PISCES (FEB. 20-MAR. 20) resolutions. Be prepared to jump quickly if you wish to stay in Travel for pleasure will be enticing. You have more than enough the forefront of your industry this week. In-laws or relatives may on your plate already. Opportunities to travel will be favorable in oppose your personal intentions. Emotional disputes will only end terms of moneymaking connections. Listen to the advice given in sorrow. by those with experience. Your lucky day this week will be Friday. Your lucky day this week will be Thursday. A14 FilAm Star April 23-29, 2020 Entertainment & Sports News Harry and Meghan blacklist UK tabloids over Pacquiao-Crawford bout a ‘distorted’ stories ‘real possibility,’ says Arum

Manny Pacquiao and Bradley during their fight (Photo: Facebook) TOP RANK chief Bob Arum has taken a U-turn hiatus due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from his earlier statements about a potential pandemic. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan (Photo: Facebook) showdown between top welterweights Manny One of the concerns is the need to lower pay- Pacquiao and Terence Crawford. per-view rates but in terms of interest, Arum said PRINCE Harry and his wife Meghan have Harry blamed the media for the furore and After reportedly dismissing a possible there’s no lack of it. blacklisted four major British tabloid newspapers insisted he and his wife were not angry. title unification bout between Pacquiao and “Pacquiao wants to fight Crawford and because of their reporting, in the latest escalation But he again cautioned: “Any speaking to the Crawford less than a month ago, Arum now Crawford wants to fight Pacquiao.” of their public battle with the media. press WILL backfire, trust me Tom. Only we can sees the megafight as “a real possibility” of The 32-year-old Crawford (36-0, 27 KOs), The Duke and Duchess of Sussex accused help u, as we have been trying from day 1.” happening. who holds the WBO crown, stopped Egidijus The Sun, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail and Daily Meghan’s lawyers maintain that a Arum added in an interview with iFL TV Kavaliauskas of Lithuania in the ninth round in Express of publishing stories that were “distorted, subsequent letter, parts of which were published recently that a Pacquiao-Crawford clash is also his last fight four months ago. false and invasive beyond reason”. in the Mail on Sunday, were “obviously private” “one of the things that we’re working on.” Pacquiao, 41, meanwhile, hasn’t fought since The couple, who have quit frontline royal duties and detailed her “intimate thoughts and feelings” Getting key components to fall into place, scoring an impressive victory over the much and moved to North America, outlined their new about her father’s health and relationship with however, remains a challenge especially with the younger Keith Thurman to win the WBA (super) policy of “no corroboration and zero engagement” in him at the time. current situation where sports continue to be on crown last July. (inquirer.net) a scathing letter to editors of the titles. They claim the newspaper “chose to The Guardian newspaper called it an deliberately omit or suppress” parts of the letter, “unprecedented attack on a large part of the which “intentionally distorted or manipulated” its St. Clare coach says team barely media” while former tabloid bosses criticised meaning, and gave her no warning it was due to the timing of the announcement, as the world be published. grapples with the fall-out from the coronavirus Associated Newspapers denies the contents pandemic. were private or confidential. Thomas Markle has made it back home ahead of lockdown said he felt pressured to share the letter after “Some of the players were even thinking of - ‘Intrusive and unfair reports’ - its contents were misrepresented in a magazine staying,” said Jinino Manansala, whose wards Harry and Meghan have intensified their war article. were to face Davao Occidental-Cocolife for with the media since their high-profile wedding Division title of Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball in 2018, hitting out at what they say have been - ‘Salacious gossip’ - League Lakan Cup. intrusive and unfair reports about them. Harry and Meghan’s letter to the British For coach Jinino Manansala it felt like a The prince has brought court action over tabloids lays bare what they feel about newspaper “buzzer-beater.” allegedly intercepted voicemails and Meghan is coverage but insisted they were not trying to put “Now we’re not even sure how long the suing over the publication of a “private” letter to themselves above scrutiny. quarantine will stay,” he told the Inquirer. her father in August 2018. “It’s not about shutting down public “There were 33 rooms booked in the hotel for us, A preliminary hearing in her case against conversation or censoring accurate reporting,” imagine how it could cost if we stayed.” Associated Newspapers, which publishes the Mail they said. The architect of St. Clare’s dynasty in on Sunday and MailOnline, is due to be held at Instead, they said they did not want to be the National Athletics Association of Schools, the High Court in London on Friday. used as “currency for an economy of clickbait and Colleges and Universities men’s basketball said Details of communications between the distortion” . his players are all accounted for. couple and Thomas Markle were filed in court on More broadly, they said there was a “real “But they are all okay doing quarantine Monday, revealing the pair pleaded with him in human cost” of “salacious gossip” purely to sell workouts,” said Manansala, who helped steer the text messages not to speak to the media before newspapers. Saints to five Naascu championships, including their wedding. The pair said their new policy did not apply four straight last year. In one text message dated May 14, 2018, to all media and they would continue to work And in these dire times, St. Clare has Harry asks him to call back and warned him with journalists around the world. included the Saints roster as beneficiaries of its that “’going public’ will only make the situation The Society of Editors, however, said their COVID-19 relief efforts. worse”. “actions here amount to censorship” while former The players got sacks of rice from the school Mirror and News of the World editor Piers and other assistance from Manansala’s family - ‘Intimate thoughts and feelings’ - Morgan said it smacked of self-centredness. and several team alumni. Thomas Markle became the centre of a “Imagine thinking anyone cares about their The ex-University of Santo Tomas guard tabloid furore after allegedly staging paparazzi hurt little me-me-me egos as health workers said former players who also contributed include style photographs of himself for money. around the world are dying at work?” he tweeted. Jinino Manansala (Photo: Facebook) Jammer Jamito of Ginebra, Aris Dionisio of He later dropped out of the glittering David Yelland, a former editor of The MANILA, Philippines — Players and coaches Magnolia and Cris Bitoon of Blackwater. wedding ceremony at Windsor Castle on Sun, told BBC radio the move was ill-advised, from St. Clare who beefed up Basilan Steel-Jum- The Saints proved themselves last year in the health grounds but also said he did not want to calling the letter “one of the worst pieces of bo Plastic almost got stranded in Davao. PBA D-League when they bagged the Foundation “embarrass the royal family or his daughter”. communication” he had ever seen. (AFP) Fortunately for them, they made it back to Cup, carrying the franchise of BRT Sumisip Metro Manila on March 13, the same afternoon Basilan-St. Clare. It beat the Marinerong Pilipino lockdown was imposed. in the finals. (inquirer.net) Actor Idris Elba seeks PH triathletes asked to money for rural farmers stay in prime shape impacted by virus SOME national sports associations just can’t afford to see their athletes go into a long stretch BRITISH actor and filmmaker Idris Elba, who of idleness, that’s why the Triathlon Association has himself tested positive for COVID-19, helped of the Philippines (TRAP) came up with a sus- kick off an appeal for a UN relief fund to help tainable training program for national triathletes rural communities stricken by the coronavirus while staying indoors to prevent getting infected pandemic. by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). With $40 million in UN seed money, a While Olympic hopefuls Kim Mangrobang special fund to help small-scale farmers is and Kim Kilgroe are waiting to resume their seeking another $200 million in donations so respective training camps overseas, national the coronavirus lockdown doesn’t spark a hunger triathletes in the country have been religiously crisis. following a regimen to keep them in great shape The fund “needs more assistance to carry on despite the prolonged Luzon-wide enhanced the work that is desperately needed to keep food community quarantine. systems operating in rural areas if we are to come “The locally based national athletes are out of this crisis together and avoid needless under the supervision of their assigned local hunger and suffering,” said Elba in a statement. coaches and are doing mainly indoor training Elba is a goodwill ambassador for the United using stationary bikes, treadmill for running Nations’ International Fund for Agricultural and lots of calisthenics,’’ TRAP president Tom Development (IFAD). Carrasco said. The Wire actor disclosed last month that “From time to time, they do joint indoor he had tested positive for coronavirus and had workouts via teleconference facilities,” Carrasco quarantined himself. added. IFAD’s head said developing countries are The 28-year-old Mangrobang, a two-time Kim Mangrobang (Photo: Facebook) already particularly vulnerable to this pandemic Southeast Asian Games women’s triathlon as a health crisis. champion, is in Portugal, training on her own Second behind Mangrobang, Kilgroe is “Unless we act now and act quickly, this will and waiting for the Desmor camp in Rio Major to also seeking an Olympic spot and would begin also become a major food and hunger crisis,” said open. training in California soon. (inquirer.net) Gilbert Houngbo. (AFP) Idris Elba (Photo: Facebook) April 23-29, 2020 FilAm Star A15 Entertainment Ako si patient 2828: Howie Severino shares his experience Sylvia Sanchez is as COVID-19 survivor now COVID-Free Prior to this, the competent actress also made a post on April 13, 2020 in which she announced that the doctors were able to treat her and Art’s pneumonia. In the photo, Sylvia was all-smiles as well as her two doctors while all of them flashed a peace sign. In her caption, the actress said: “I am one negative test away from going home.” Sylvia is grateful to have passed the critical stage. This she revealed on her recent interview with ABS-CBN News. “I’m really glad that I overcame this ordeal. I’ve been through a tough stage, you know. It was simply life-threatening. There’s this certain drug which I took that didn’t have good results on my heart. When it was injected to me, my body didn’t respond to it positively. My blood pressure and the oxygen in my blood went down drastically. Howie Severino (Photo: GMA Network) “I learned later on that had I continued GMA NEWS pillar and veteran journalist Howie collaboration, the inside story of the pandemic’s taking said medicine, it’s possible that I’ll have Severino shares his personal experience as a front lines inside isolation in a COVID hospital. cardiac arrest. I’m thankful that the doctors COVID-19 survivor in a special documentary of The documentary shows the tests done on Patient were able to stop the spread of the virus in my I-Witness airing this Saturday (April 18) after 2828, describes the agony of the unknown, and body. It was only during the first three days Tadhana. then the joy of finally being able to go home. that I had difficulty in breathing. It didn’t reach As someone who is physically active and Meanwhile, Howie talks to another COVID the point that I had to be intubated. Thank in good health, Howie, who also serves as GMA survivor, actress Iza Calzado. The two of them God!” Network’s Safety Officer, thought he would be the now belong to an exclusive club of survivors who At the height of her battle against last person to contract the coronavirus. He was must decide how best to help other patients and COVID-19, the actress admits she had to be wrong. educate the public about this terrifying disease. Sylvia Sanchez (Photo: Facebook) strong for her children. After a fever of seven days, Howie discovered Howie is now waiting for doctor’s clearance so “Everybody knows how close I am to my he had pneumonia. Days later, he would test that he can donate his blood and help those who By Joseph Peter R. Gonzales kids Arjo (29), Ria (28), Gela (17) and Xavi positive for COVID-19 and became Patient 2828. are still battling the virus to recover like he did. (10). I really thought of them when I was in the In the hospital, Howie met a nurse who “It will be impossible to pay back all the KAPAMILYA actress Sylvia Sanchez is very hospital. I’m not yet ready to leave them. I told was interested in documentaries. Howie urged frontliners who helped save our lives, but this happy now that she’s already at home after myself, ‘Lord, I’m not yet prepared.’” him to document his life as a frontliner. Being is a way to pay it forward. It is a small price for recuperating from the Coronavirus Disease. Even if she’s already home, Sylvia knows a patient, Howie also became a subject of this all survivors to pay to see the sun again. As a It can be remembered that the “Pamilya she still has to be quarantined for 14 days. documentation. journalist of three decades, I have never been in Ko” mainstay tested positive for the dreaded “Oh, yes! That’s to ensure that I won’t “I taught him how to shoot and he began a position to directly save lives. As a victim of this disease on March 31, 2019 along with her contaminate other members of our family. The to document his life as a frontliner, which virus, I can save lives by simply lying down while husband, Art Atayde. Fortunately, Sylvia was same holds true when my husband goes home, eventually became a documentation of his doctors and nurses extract my blood,” he said in confirmed to be COVID-free after her last two too. It’s for the safety of everybody.” patient,” shares Howie in an article he penned another written article on GMA News Online. tests proved to be negative. The award-winning star also expressed after he was discharged from the hospital. “This Video by Gabriel Lazaro and Howie In her post on Facebook on April 16, 2020, her desire to help other patients of the dreaded apprenticeship was a great diversion, kept my Severino, “Ako si Patient 2828” airs on GMA-7 the actress can be seen in her room at home. disease. mind active while giving me a blessed sense this Saturday, 4:05 pm after Tadhana on GMA In her photo caption, she thanked God and all “I’m willing to donate plasma if it can help that even lying there in isolation I was getting 7. Viewers abroad may also catch it via GMA those who prayed for her speedy recovery as in their recovery.” something done.” Pinoy TV. For the program guide, visit www. well as her husband. Sylvia revealed that Art In the end, Sylvia reiterates her gratitude “Ako si Patient 2828” is the product of this gmapinoytv.com. has to stay in the hospital for a couple of days to those who prayed for her and Art in one of more because he still has to be tested negative the most crucial moments in their lives. on his next swab test. He was tested negative “Thanks to all of you---for your prayers Coco boosts lockdown cinema club’s on the first. and concern,” she ends. initiative for low-income film workers people, including Coco. It’s helping so many lives,” he declares. For transparency, the funds collected and being distributed by Lockdown Cinema Club are posted online. “The public can see the actual names and beneficiaries. As of last week, more than 1,200 film workers have already received assistance. I believe the group is preparing for a second wave since the quarantine was extended,” he reports. From left: Joey Reyes, Paolo Villaluna and Raymond Red of the Directors Guild of the Philippines Inc. Quoting film producer Alemberg Ang, Lockdown Cinema Club representative, the Coco Martin (Photo: Facebook) fundraising has already helped 1,317 film workers ACTOR Coco Martin, well known for his philan- as of April 17. “Only 183 beneficiaries, from the thropic work, has donated half a million pesos in 1,500 quota, have yet to receive financial aid,” support for Lockdown Cinema Club’s aim to raise Vilalluna says. funds for low-income film workers affected by The fundraising’s goal is to raise a minimum the temporary stoppage of film production, says of P2 million for at least 1,000 low-income filmmaker Paolo Villaluna. film workers affected by the ongoing enhanced Villaluna is the president of the Directors community quarantine imposed by the Guild of the Philippines Inc. (DGPI), one of the government to help stop the spread of the new club’s major partners in the said activity. coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. As The director says the article that was an incentive, donors will be able to watch some recently published in the Inquirer announcing 50 films, both short and full-length features, by the fundraising “has helped expose it to so many award-winning Filipino directors. (inquirer.net) Vice Ganda stirs up mixed reaction after calling out Filipinos who violate quarantine VICE Ganda’s take on violators of the Lu- makakain ka kasi.” zon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) (Why is the quarantine extending? Because has stirred mixed sentiments online. mass testing was delayed… your lord is only The TV host and comedian’s TikTok video planning now. He didn’t want to listen at first, has circulated on social media following his you are too much of a show-off, it’s because you statements: have food to eat.) “O bakit ba humahaba ang quarantine? E Mass testing for coronavirus only began on kasi ang mga Pinoy makukulit din. ‘Pag sinabing April 14, a month after the Metro Manila ECQ ‘wag lumabas maglalabasan, at ‘pag nagkasakit was declared. naman magsisisihan. Twitter user @jvcabrera argued that “Madaling sabihin pengeng ayuda. Pero Filipinos would stay home if their needs are sumusunod nga po ba?” addressed. “Walang magrereklamo at walang (Why is the quarantine extending? Because lalabas kung sapat ang tulong ng gobyerno (No Filipinos are also stubborn. When you say don’t one would complain and no one would go out if go out, they go out, and when they get sick they the government’s help was enough),” he said. blame others. It’s easy to ask for help, but are you “This video guilt-trips people who NEED to following?) go out kasi sila pa raw may kasalanan kung bakit Some have criticized the statements for humahaba ang quarantine (because it says it is putting the blame on Filipino masses in the their fault that the quarantine is extending). This extension of the ECQ, which is expected to end on ECQ may be an inconvenience for you pero (but) April 30. However, there are already proposals for the less privileged, this is survival.” to further extend it as coronavirus disease He also said that had the government made (COVID-19) cases continue to rise. mass testing, acted faster and strengthened the “Bakit humahaba ang quarantine? Eh kasi healthcare system, the ECQ would have been nga dinelay pa ang mass testing… ngayon pa lang lifted more quickly. nagpa-plano ang poon niyo,” said one @elyasjuan Vice still had his share of defenders online, yesterday, April 21. “Ayaw kasing makinig nung with some saying that those violating the ECQ una pa lang, masyado ka pang pabibo, may were contributing to the problem. (inquirer.net) A16 FilAm Star April 23-29, 2020