Re: NCR llockdown
 

We are up to date with our bills, they kept taking the monthly readings but didn't deliver the bills, I assume they stood a greater chance of catching covid by jamming the bill in the gate than reading the meter on the gate post. Anyway what they neglected to tell everyone was that the bills were at the office and you could go along and pay. Of course all the neighbours preferred the free months.🤔

Re: NCR llockdown
 

It's good some of you have local, offices. There are many ways and places to pay your Meralco bill, but if you have a problem you need to go to a Business Centre. Paranaque's is not centrally situated. In a low rent area, on a busy, narrow main road, difficult to park.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

Record high national case totals reported again yesterday by the DOH. They also put out a report on changes over the last month, which gives a better picture of the trend:

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news...ses-doh/story/

Although some of the larger percentage increases are on small numbers exponential ,growth can quickly bring much large numbers, if not checked.
Re the NCR the areas and cities where there has been a big increase are all places where many people live closely packed...residential areas most Expats and better off locals usually just see the entrance gate of as they drive by on the main road. But you get an idea when you see a sign board with many subdivisions listed with names like "Morning Breeze".
From what I have seen of such places around the NCR appropriate social distancing can often be very difficult.

Notable that the Health Secretary is always accusing people in those places of not wearing masks....but without giving evidence.

In the downward trend list the inclusion of cities like Manila and Makati is probably due to the quality of local leadership and their resources. Navotas was under special measures. Las Pinas interesting as it also has many densely populated areas, like neighbouring Paranaque, the city with the largest rise.

Getting to a moderated quarantine here many weeks away.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

I just wanted to say thanks to all you guys for posting on life in the RP during the Covid-19 crisis. Although it's been a couple years since I've live there, it still doesn't take much imagination to picture myself still living back in the Philippines during this virus time frame. I think I would have developed some serious health concern from all the "head shaking and eye rolling" I'd be doing while following "This is how we do things in the Philippines".
During my 4 plus years in the RP, I was "semi-Single" and had very little time/money invested in the country. I always had a emergency Bug-out Bag, and kept my moto topped up just in case I had to make a run for the airport during some type of natural or man made emergency. Hind sight is 20-20...but I think would have been on a plane back to the motherland prior to the the virus crossing the RP borders. I realize that my life is most likely different than yours...but if you had a chance to re-do it again...would you still decide to ride it out in the Philippines ???
FYI...I stayed here in Penang (MY) based on my belief that I would be better off here, than jumping on a plane and then facing an all new virus out break on the other side of the world staying in a hotel, or with friends or family (didn't want to be a burden). .
Best of luck gents... keep your heads down, and stay healthy.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

Thanks WiredTight. The militaristic nature of the lockdown has been a bit irritating and has led to the health side of the anti virus campaign being overseen by generals. The Philippines was always a 3rd world country but I think it was a surprise to nearly every Expat that it elected a right wing Populist government, and that they are still getting high approval ratings after 4 years in power. Although the performance against the virus compares well with the US and Brazil. But this is concerning:

https://www.rappler.com/nation/26607...irus-july-2020

That is the major private hospital in Cavite. Before the virus it was very busy. Now only 6 patients a day per clinic...for a while at least. Travel to Manila is difficult, so more will want to go there. Anyway some weeks ago a medium sized hospital in Paranaque with about 50 doctors on the reception board had just one attending on the two days I attended.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

https://www.rappler.com/nation/26608...virus-pandemic

This reminds me of the BBC's Dragons Den, when sometimes the contestant is told their product solves a non-existent problem.
I suggest a small improvement......copy of marriage cert to be always displayed on the plastic shield!
Of course couples should always take care they don't spread the virus to each other......so how about recommending that all double beds have to be fitted with a plastic shield down the middle?

Seriously though this country has one of the worst virus outbreaks in SE Asia. Low deaths can be bragged about, but it's a young population and some survivors will suffer lasting effects from complications.,Hospitals filling up to dangerous levels with COVID patients, high unemployment, families existing on insufficient dole outs. And this has been the subject of hours of meetings.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

I have to say what pathetic, impractical and totally useless solution. I wonder what official has an interest in the manufacturing, distribution and sale of inappropiate anti COVID-19 devices.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

I showed this motorbike barrier system to her-in-doors who initially could not see a problem until I explained that she would be hanging onto a plastic sheet ( as I would be using both hands to steer ) and not onto me so when a gust of wind or truck went past and she was blown off the bike could she please scream loudly so I knew which side of the road she had landed on. Then the penny dropped.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

The IloIlo design has a handlebar..

https://www.rappler.com/nation/26306...st-coronavirus

Regarding the stability of the back passenger wouldn't it be better to have a detachable frame with plastic divider which straps on to the driver's back allowing the back passenger to hold onto the driver as usual?
But I am afraid even this contact between people who are already touching each other indoors and outside would not be acceptable to the rigid thinkers in charge of the rules.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

How can anyone make a series comment about this example of rank stupidity. At least it won't be criticised on ABS-CBN News !

Re: NCR llockdown
 

https://www.cnn.ph/news/2020/5/26/lt...motorists.html

This additional guidance from the LTO came out in May. You will see it required mask wearing while driving. I saw that at the time time and was very surprised. I didn't see any media coverage. But while they did stop and maybe fine some motorists who were outside their residence for no acceptable reason I didn't hear of anyone done for not wearing a mask while driving. I would think because they soon realised they couldn't subject rich people in their SUVs etc to that ridiculous rule. But poor,young motorcyclists are fair game, even though just two passengers, out in the open, no AC to circulate virus. Also car occupants can often be from mixed households.

The poor really getting a bad deal generally here these days and especially on transport. They are necessary to get the economy back and can't work from home. Will GMA cover their problems? Researching the ownership of the second, now first, free to air TV channel, it turns up that the founders, though now retired, were linked to the first President that terminated ABS-CBN.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

Someone pointed out the patient data says there are 357 critical and severe COVID patients whereas the hospital data implies there are 560 patients in COVID ICU beds and 450 ventilators for COVID are being used.
Hmm?

PS Facebook link doesn't show for some reason. Just search for DOH COVID case bulletin #119.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

The hospital information on ICUs and ventilators is missing from the next DOH COVID-19 case bulletin, #120, which can again be found on Facebook. You now have to do a calculation to find the number of severe and critical patients comes to 271, Whereas the previous day's bulletin reported 357! So think their figures will always need to be taken with a large pinch of salt.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news...rd-high/story/

The latest recovery statistics are headlined. Are they all fully recovered anyway? Think the public would be more interested in the positive cases and hospital data. And better they just publish the statistics without headlines. Gives me the impression things are not going well but they want the public to think otherwise.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se...navirus-surges

According to this Straits Times article Navotas is now back in the upward case trend list and gets a new lockdown.. But the DOH placed it in the list of those areas doing well less than a week ago! The mayor blames the population for "flouting social distancing rules". Maybe true. But they also went back to work in the last three weeks. Jobs related to fishing, the port etc.

This article also reports another data muddle, this time.over COVID deaths.. Although the DOH yesterday reported 162 additional, not the 227 as this article states. Anyway, the recent daily average was only about 10. The DOH under-secretary says nearly all the extra late deaths were due to a "data reconciliation". Some occurred last month.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

With trends of new cases not following most of the world are you surprised that the published data is spurious.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news..._picks&order=4

PNP playing this two ways. Jul 19 is the deadline!! But the many thousands who won't have one of the two approved barriers installed by then will just get a warning. Allow extra time from Monday! There's just one plus for this crazy policy if it does push through. It will be good business for welding ,aluminium shops, handymen etc. The inventor of the cheaper option,the IloIlo governor, has said he will make the specifications freely available.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

ABS-CBN have analyzed DOH data on COVID test delays:

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/15/...-equipment-doh

Testing time for the most used test is recommended by the WHO to be 24 hours to effectively control spread, contact trace. Some months ago The Philippines reported an average of just over 2 days but looking at the backlog graph the average now must be many days. Most of it at the RITM in the NCR and a lab in IloIlo City...two areas where the virus is spreading fast.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

We had our swab tests done today, I think a pineapple up the rear would be more comfortable than that q-tip up the nose. We were quoted 2-3 days and results by email. This was San Fernando Pampanga.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

Testing times..COVID ,,,,,,and Vehicle emission tests. In our area of South MM there are few LTOs and our local one in Paranaque has been closed for some weeks due to many staff there down with the virus, The Las Pinas LTO says their tests are cut off until August 17. Couldn't get a clear answer on what they are doing there in the meantime. Think some of the tests are reserved for public transport vehicles. No clear guidance there from the staff.....think they are finding it all a bit embarrassing. A lone ramshackle private testing station nearby is operating by appointment only and we were told we can make one next week. But judging by all the people waiting there at 7am I am not optimistic it will be for this month, All the time the late fees are clocking up after two and a half months. They shouldn't apply them..let's see. Only one good thing from our visits is that I got the 3rd party insurance and maybe some of you are like me and forgot it does expire.You won't be covered in that case.

Researching this you find complaints have been made from early June. Some bikers have been lining up at midnight to get a test next day! A lawmaker from CDO has raised the issue recently and suggested emissions tests are suspended for the rest of the year. But it looks like the LTO is focused on making bikers install a bit of perspex while other politicians are busy with closing down media, anti terror legislation and filing cases for libel.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

As the Philippines takes the number 1 position for SE Asian COVID cases we will see more reports like this on international TV:

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/...184411472.html

Going for dramatic video in places like Navotas. But Wikipedia refers to a 2018 report estimating the population living in slums in MM at about 4m. I recall reading an article which said there were 50 slums here. Some are large and famous, like Tondo, but they are in most cities and vary in size., Even in Quezon City and Makati. You wouldn't know about them if you only visit the glittering malls. Small pockets where people sleep also abound...you only see them if you walk around. Near where we live we saw a few people living inside a tunnel carrying a water course under the NAIA road. You would never have guessed they were there every time you pass in the car..Then up from them are the many densely populated subdivisions and residential areas. Adding to the potential for virus spread are the many tight workplaces you see all over. One example...all those small police stations. No wonder the PNP has a lot of cases.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...32c6276b8a.png
A page from the latest DOH COVID 19 case bulletin #126 to be found on Facebook. It shows the current case doubling time at eight and a half days, On June 1 it was just over six. Underneath it says "Faring Better"! But official case numbers in early June were about 20,000 and now they're well over 60,000. So a doubling time of over 8 days now is much more serious.than one of 6 days back in June in terms of added infections. Just a lower rate of growth. Someone was asked to find something positive to show and this was all they could find.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

Always good to see some figures supporting what you already suspected:

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news...-pinoys/story/

Filipinos tend to be tagged "pasaway" when they are subject to rules which are unnecessary, difficult to conform to and possibly a danger.. Like those on motorcycle backriding. There is still just under a week to go before D Day but already the police are down on riders not having the marriage certs, from different households and with no approved barrier:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/130897...pillion-riding

More to get entangled with if you have an accident:

https://philnews.ph/2020/07/18/motor...na-gusto-niyo/

Have done some driving around Paranaque and Las Pinas lately. Few backriders to be seen...of those most with no barrier, one holding a piece of perspex and one a piece of hardboard. Just two had something that looked like the required design, although one of those used clingfilm rather than perspex. I think most will conform to these rules by not backriding at all, adding to the already bad situation for commuting and getting about generally.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

As on cue we have this:

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/...043227920.html

Although the Philippines has one of the highest conformity rates worldwide (according to a respected UK polling organisation) this reaction is not a surprise given the military character of the chief executive and his anti Covid campaign. Just waiting for news of people who are not of sound mind etc being dragged off to police stations. The effort to get that extra 10% compliance will make little difference given the unique nature of Manila in this country.....a large,.densely populated urban area where even in a half opened up economic state appropriate social distancing is often very difficult

It seems that the long Manila lockdown was not capitalized on and the virus horse has already bolted with re-opening. With the government playing catch up. As the article states the Philippines is ranked low internationally for COVID testing. Back in May the target was 30,000 tests a day. That was before the surge. Now, with much more virus spread, the numbers tested daily are still well below that figure. Then we have the aim of the Health Secretary to test another 9m Filipinos over the next year, when they can't even get to a target they set in May!

You can put this reaction down to just to the way this government operates... or are Filipinos, especially the poor, being set up to take the blame for the virus surge and the critical Manila hospital situation? Nationwide the DOH says COVID ICU bed use is always at about 50%...but they never publish the figure for Manila. Many individiual Manila hospitals report they are fully utilised.

Perhaps also undergoing more lockdown? An Inquirer article describes well the current situation in Paranaque. There are certain barangays which are hotspots, and medical teams are working away in them to test and contact trace. So, they are finding more cases. But the Mayor's reaction to this is to threaten a two week lockdown "if cases continue to go up".
That doesn't make any sense, but why he said it can be explained by the fact that all Manila Mayors were summoned to a meeting with the President a few days ago where he told them to get tough with the people in their cities, Paranaque was singled out due to its case growth. The Mayor's threat is probably an empty one. He compared his city's situation with Navotas. But Paranaque is much larger and of a completely different character to that city by the Port. He is probably scared of the President and so wants to scare his citizens. But he is also scaring businesses in his city wondering whether to reopen.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/130908...us-cases-spike

Re: NCR llockdown
 

At least they are trying here, at least in the province where I am. Mask compliance seems to be very nearly 100%, due to the checkpoints the use of helmets on motorbikes seems to have gone up greatly and even the jeepnies are complying with max passenger numbers instead of the usual, room for just one more small one. A friend's wife and an auntie of her-in-doors have returned from Manila and had to self quarantine for 2 weeks, they had visits from the LGU guys at least twice and sometimes 3 times a day at any hour, once at 20:30hrs at night. A friend returned to the UK 10 days ago and he and his wife had to self quarantine for 2 weeks, 10 days later no one has checked to see if they are.

Ref the masks, many people here wore them before the virus came along in jeepnies, buses, motorbikes, tricycles and many who live along the main road due to the dust.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

Yes the wearing of facemasks is to be applauded. However the second major part of the equation is the 20 second hand washing procedure which should happen very time one returns home. I wonder how many people comply with this requirement?

Re: NCR llockdown
 

Not many do, I'm sure. Because unless you've been to somewhere like a hospital, an office, use handles,,elevator buttons etc you are not running any measurable risk by not doing so. A grocery trip....which is about all most of us retired Expats can do these days....may only expose one to a cart handle, the surfaces of products purchased and notes from the till. Wiping all those at home before putting them away is tiring and unnecessary though it may reassure some to do that or have it done. Also the current scientific advice is that the virus, although it can live for some time on various materials, does not spread easily from surfaces so it makes sense to concentrate on the one general message of preventing people expelling water droplets from their mouths in close proximity to others. Hospitals,offices etc can add on the hand washing advice.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

https://kami.com.ph/116779-ano-impri...face-mask.html

I'm sure we wear a mask outside all the time. Except maybe inside a car? I have raised this before but said it wasn't being implemented. But from one or two reports I have read since it may have been at times. Perhaps mainly when motorists have been stopped for other offences, But you may come across some policeman or traffic enforcer who would like to make an example of a foreigner. So make sure you have one on while driving or a passenger.
Also worth taking note that Eduardo Ano's statement refers to both mask wearing and "physical distancing".
It has been pointed out that someone arrested and sentenced is then subject to a greater risk of catching the virus while being processed in a police station and being jailed.
Explaining the nature of these measures against violators Ano, the Interior Secretary, is a retired General. who made his name fighting rebels, The PNP chief comes initially served in the military in Mindanao. We\re in a sort of martial law.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

So I can't go to visit my girlfriend as foreigners are still banned. Been nearly 5 months since I have seen her. They recently allowed outbound travel for Filipinos so we started planning her to come to Europe. Gotm annual leave sorted from work, about to start applying for her visas, and today I wake up and read they have now suspended allowing Filipinos to leave because only one insurance company agreed to offer the coverage needed!

What a joke. Completely messed up a lot of plans. Worst is still no idea when we can see each other. :sad_smile:

Re: NCR llockdown
 

Problem with this ( and previous ) virus outbreaks is that no one is prepared and as situations change most governments just spend most of their time fire fighting. The only thing you can do is keep upto date of what is happening here and your end and be prepared to act quickly to either get her out or yourself in.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

FlameAura is in the same position as many here, in that for months people have not been able to travel within the country unless it is an emergency etc. Even if allowed very few buses, boats and flights operating. Even going 50kms from Manila into Cavite by car s difficult.
Yes, the government is fire fighting the virus, but they are not doing that as well as they could due to giving priority to closing down media, pushing through anti terror legislation and would you believe charter change, in a time when the need for central government intervention is so apparent.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

Very true but you can sometimes get surprised. a friend booked a ticket for him and wife back in May for them to travel back to the UK first week in July, Not a chance I said. But bus, boat, taxi and plane he made it, he said by good planing but I still claim extreme luck.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

Some updates on going out in the South Metro.

A dine in meal last night...like sitting in an exam hall at Uni.

On car registration at the Las Pinas LTO Seniors not allowed to go in and complete a registration. Luckily I had a non Senior with me, but several Seniors had to phone up people to help them out. The building is large and airy. Another example of risk over estimation. Inconsistent with what you find elsewhere,

Look around you at the LTO and eventually you see a clearly set out plan for dealing with the backlog from June 1. Although there was nothing to be seen online. Looks like you have a 3 month allowance before you pay a late penalty. However, don't think they will clear the backlog for quite a while mainly because of the difficulty of getting an emissions test, in our area, anyway.Took us ten days to get one, two visits and an appointment necessary.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

https://www.topgear.com.ph/news/moto...-a962-20200723

You really couldn't make this up. Although it's "clarified" by a PNP spokesman that the window down/no AC rule doesn't apply to cars some of those less well off solo drivers, with no AC, windows down, might well be done by police trying to enforce this confusing law. I'm beginning to feel sorry for them having to enforce these confusing rules. Suspect the military in charge of much of all this also don't properly understand many of them eg the JTF COVID shield commander "believes" a mask is not necessary for a solo driver of a four wheeled vehicle.
But it seems that a car driver with passenger(s), windows down, no AC and not wearing a mask can be apprehended. Perhaps even the passenger too? Even though highly unlikely to spread COVID.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

https://rappler.com/nation/big-major...-sws-july-2020

Not a surprise that 51% suffering "great stress"...this must include many in the middle class in addition to those of the poor experiencing hunger. A pity the survey didn't go into more detail on what exactly was stressing people.
I'm guessing that this sort of thing might be, On July 17 UP experts forecast the Philippines would get to 85,000 cases by the end of the month. At the time that looked a possibility but unlikely. The Palace spokesman started using the forecast as a threat to return Manila to a modified emergency quarantine. Always linking it with appeals for less violations of mask wearing, appropriate social distancing. Then a few days ago the DOH started announcing higher numbers of daily cases, so that now with 6 day's numbers to go reaching 85,000 seems certain.
Strange as the 85k is for the whole country. And is it sensible to make a big decision like that purely on case numbers? Whether by next weekend that will happen is difficult to tell as influential people and groups are split. Some putting more emphasis on the economic effects in an area which accounts for two thirds of GDP. A return to MECQ doesn't fit with what is apparently to be in the upcoming SONA...an economic recovery plan!
But for many people living in the NCR all this will add to their stress as they will think there might be a return to all the petty inconveniences of daily life in March to May, more businesses closing down etc.

https://www.pressreader.com/philippi...81526523372446

The Palace spokesman is relying on the better monitoring of asymptomatic cases to turn things around! More stress will soon be generated in the public as they see more and more cases and no clear plan to improve the situation.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

This afternoon I saw two motorcycles with the perspex separation screen. What a joke! On both occasions the passengers had their heads facing sideways as it was impossible to face forward. As the saying goes 'It's More fun in the Philippines'

Re: NCR llockdown
 

I thought I saw one the other day but it turned out to be someone taking an 8x4 sheet of ply home from the building supplies.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

Lightweights in your area, saw one a while ago with tin roofing strapped to each side, the rider had two jeepny/truck tyres round his waist/chest and the pillion was holding a 8x4 ply sheet sideways

Re: NCR llockdown
 

https://rappler.com/nation/no-mentio...erte-sona-2020

Interesting to learn that it's not just the usual critics, the DOH Secretary, who every day puts out the daily figures, was disappointed.

Like some other similar world leaders it looks to me that the President is resigned to the country suffering a long, gradually increasing outbreak. This approach is helped by the low mortality rate, when compared with other parts of the world, although it is slightly higher than Indonesia's , and a lot higher than the figures for Thailand, Taiwan and S Korea. Temporary hospitals will be created..but finding the staff will become more and more difficult. The economy will go further south.. Never mind... it will all be dealt with by a Chinese vaccine early next year. Many people will not be happy with that!

The Rappler news item provides a link to an interesting piece on the steps before a vaccine can eventually be deployed. Good to read qualified people are working on that, but not good that it seems not to be known about at the top.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

In Marikina there are already two temporary hospitals that I'm aware of. Regarding the race for vaccinations some institutions have indicated that these will be supplied at cost, while others (American of course) will not. The progress lead by the University of Oxford is encouraging. Bill Gates who is also funding research has stated that any vaccinations against COVID-19 may be in the form of multiple shots.
As an aside and perhaps an insight into current high level thinking I have a Travel Fund locked into Cebu Pacific which has the 6 month use by date extended to 2 years!

Keep safe one and all.

Re: NCR llockdown
 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/cultur...6-out-of-80448

I appreciate not everybody will find this of interest but it has a lot of useful data and analysis and it has been put out by ANC.

Apart from the headline on active cases I would highlight that the recent positive test rate is over 10% for the whole country, just under 14% for both the NCR and the Visayas. For comparison In the US the latest 7 day moving average positive test rate is lower, at just over 8%. And we all know how things are going there.

Also, about a third of cases in the whole country are attributed to "unknown" locations. In the NCR it was over 40%! The author makes the point that if you don't know where a result came from how sure can you be about the result?