Name: Camille L.

Cala-or
Course & Year: BSEd SS 2-1
School: Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Biñan Campus
Topic/Issue: “To Ban Chinese Nationals from Entering to the Philippines amid Corona Virus
Threat”

A newly identified corona virus called 2019 Novel Corona Virus or 2019-nCoV has been
spreading in China and now has reached multiple other countries. It is a viral infection that was
first discovered in the Chinese city of Wuhan in 2019 that has been associated with number of
cases of pneumonia – an infection of the tissue in the lungs. Reports referred to the disease as
“mystery viral pneumonia,” as infected people exhibit flu-like symptoms like persistent
coughing, fever, shortness of breath, and difficulty in breathing. Health officials in China have
said that the virus probably originated in animals and was transmitted to humans by contact with
animals at a live market. The pneumonia-like disease caused by the 2019-nCoV is similar to
SARS-CoV which also originated in China, and MERS-CoV, started in Middle East. 2019-nCov
brings back the fear of Filipinos when SARS entered the country.

In February 2003, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus was formally
identified as a new disease by the World Health Organization (WHO). It originated in
Guangdong province of China in late 2002 and is thought to be an animal virus. In April of 2003,
fear became reality for 82 million Filipinos as the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed SARS
first two deaths and two infected people in the country. SARS outbreak reached 26 countries
resulting in 8096 cases and 774 reported total deaths caused by the virus. SARS epidemic only
subsided until June 2004. And in 2012, another corona virus was identified and first reported
cases were in Saudi Arabia. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reached different
countries causing 2, 494 infected cases, including at least 858 related deaths. Same with SARS,
MERS-CoV appeared to be a result of spread of the virus from animals - camels to human. Only
on July 6, 2015, the first laboratory-confirmed case was reported in the Philippines.

And now, the recently identified another corona virus called 2019-nCov, is another fear
not only of the Filipinos, but also countries around the world. Its rapid spreading reaches 28
different countries and affecting over 31, 535 people of which 4, 826 (15%) are in critical
condition, 638 are recorded deaths and 1, 778 recovered from the infection. Philippines first
confirmed case infected with the virus brings most Filipinos in panic as the virus can easily
spread with a transmission rate ranging from 3 to 4 and lots of Chinese reside in the country. As
of the latest record, the first death occurring outside of China was in the Philippines, a 44-year
old Chinese man from Wuhan.

With this rapid growth of number of people infected with the virus and its easy
transmission from human to human, I think banning Chinese nationals from entering the
Philippines is one of the best precautionary measures we can do to stop it having only 3 cases in
the country. A move like this doesn’t necessarily means we do not empathize to those not
affected Chinese saving themselves from the virus. It’s a right that we have for a very important
reason.
 Health is also a major concern in our country and when this virus spread among us, our
hospitals can’t handle such and it will bring us chaos. Philippines 21% poverty rate or with over
23.1 million Filipinos who do not have the minimum amount of income to meet the basic food
requirements is also an added threat if 2019-nCov cases grow in numbers in the country. Many
families will not afford maintenance of the disease and will only die not merely because of the
virus, but because of lack in financial stability. Another reason is when comparing Philippines,
we are not well-prepared like other countries, who have good facilities and equipment to monitor
people with this kind of disease.
And according to reports, Wuhan, where it originated, is currently in lockdown,
effectively trapping its citizen. If China decided to close and ban people traveling out of the city,
it is not an issue Philippines banning Chinese flights too. Aside from the fact that better is
prevention than cure, it’s easier to monitor and minimize the spreading of the virus if it only
exists in a closed city. The state government must also protect its citizen from the danger brought
by other countries and has the right to act with regards to Filipinos public health and security. In
fact, other countries already banned Chinese from traveling to their country as they prevent
coronavirus from spreading more and protect the people as well. So I guess Philippines doing it
too is clearly understandable.
Upon the confirmation of the first recorded case of novel coronavirus in the Philippines,
within 3 days, the country imposes expanded temporary travel ban on the whole of China and its
territories which I agreed to the decision made. With the fast transmission rate of the virus and its
fatality, there is no other measure to prevent its global rise of coronavirus infection than to keep
close monitoring to the city where it came from and the people residing the country of origin.
Although some are concerned with Chinese who are not infected and can possibly save
themselves by going to the Philippines, I do get the point and understand the core of concern but
we can help more by not adding to the number of infected people.