"Of virus outbreaks, racial sentiments, and an aloof government"

"Of virus outbreaks, racial sentiments, and an aloof government"

(Or: "Notes after Wuhan Coronavirus and how Filipinos faced the problem")

It seems that the outbreak of the Wuhan Coronavirus has brought scrutiny thanks scrutiny especially to the Mainlanders who are greatly affected by the problem. Ranging from articles that are hyperbolic, fear-mongering, up to those which are blatantly misleading, fear through misnformation has been the order of the day-as fast as a viral pathogen that can spread all over.

However, in the Philippines, this matter has been downplayed so much by an administration that prioritises much of its interests. For as the outbreak continues to seen and heard throughout, the present Duterte administration chose to downplay-letting conncerned sectors deal with themselves especially those of Chinese Schools that opted to close their facilities as most of their students came from China after the lunar new year festival. Stores, however, find themselves in a problem as gas mask supply shortages occurred. 

But for most Filipinos, this outbreak is been further aggravated as commentators in social media sites  laced their notes with racist sentiment especially after they see and describe mainlanders as synonymous with the contested islands in West Philippine Sea, Illegal Drugs, Gambling, and even improper decorum and disrespect to property. Quite provoking, especially from a recent article about someone pooping in public or how mainlanders kidnapped their fellow on broad daylight; what more that these issues may also include some Filipino-Chinese folks trying to set a line between themselves and the mainlanders on the basis of how they treat their adopted homeland especially in regards to obeying laws, respect to heritage, and even proper decorum. 

However, that as time goes by and fear been trying to be subsided with advisories and announcements, people are trying to be vigilant not just in ensuring their health but also those of others, reminding not just wearing masks but also in the frequent washing of hands and the use of alcohol. In fact, started from the ashfall from Taal to this virus outbreak the supply of gas masks became a problem especially to those who ought to buy; so is Medical-grade alcohol, soaps, and hand sanitisers.
But despite these this doesn't end the hysteria brought by this outbreak. That by seeing mainlanders as unclean and improper in its movements of course they would easily describe them as a source of that problem. As comments and observations see and hear of Chinese nationals, be it mainlander or Filipino-Chinese as being shunned and treated with utter disgust for being who they are. And on some cases, those who had the appearance similar to a Chinese as being ostracized and stayed away from. Quite lamenting tho in seeing some Filipino folks expressing bigotry, worse, to see demanding a progrom. 

Anyway, despite all these would say that the coverage of Coronavirus outbreaks from various news outlets reflects a real concern if not seeing an overreaction from most Filipinos. But come to think that this issue shouldn't be laced with racial prejudices, but instead expose the inconveniences, the laxness brought about by an order who supposed to ensure the health and welfare of its constituents- that sometimes even at the expense of foreign relations. 

And as a writer, that all after seeing news reports would say that the laxness of the Duterte administration is way too different from the proactive stance during the SARS, MERS, and Bird Flu outbreaks coming from past administrations as words like "Quarantine" been less used in regards to this present matter. For sure Duterte et al. did recognise the problem tho, but why on earth he had to downplay it? Is it because of economic importance that meant to be upheld?

Wouldn't be surprised if that's the case.