The world is currently battling an invisible enemy- a virus causing a global pandemic that has been affecting more than a million people worldwide. As of April 07, 2020 (1:34 GMT), there are already 1,346,566 people who are infected by the disease known as COVID-19 while 74,697 of them lost their lives.
To slow down the spread of the virus, the World Health Organization recommended the practice of frequent handwashing and social distancing since the virus is transmitted through aerosol droplets from talking, sneezing, or coughing. This is the reason why governments around the world prohibited mass gatherings.
For the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte imposed an enhanced community quarantine over the entire island of Luzon, initially until April 12, 2020 but extended until April 30, 2020, to stop the virus from infecting many provinces or to at least "flatten the curve" and prevent a potential breakdown of the country's healthcare system. The lockdown unfortunately resulted to the suspension of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and other sports league such as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) volleyball tournament.
The government's mandate to the people is very clear. Stay home to save lives. Various MPBL stars have therefore shared video messages in the official Facebook Page of the MPBL to echo the government's order for the people to stay at home.
Gerald Anderson of the Imus Banderas encouraged all MPBL fans and their families to stay safe. He also expressed his gratitude to the frontliners including the doctors, nurses, traffic enforcers, policemen, and soldiers who continued to work in order to keep the public safe amid the pandemic.
Anderson also hopes that once the pandemic ends, the frontliners get to spend more time with their families. It will also be an opportunity for him and the general public to reciprocate the sacrifices of the frontliners.
Paulo Hubalde of the Valenzuela City Carga Backload Solutions joined Gerald Anderson in reminding the public to stay at home and to keep washing their hands clean. According to him, we must observe hygienic practices not only for our own sake but for the safety of everyone in the family.
Fondly called as "Aquaman", Hubalde also stressed the importance of praying. While he understands the difficulty that we are all going through, he encouraged everyone to pray for the Lord to heal the country so that everything will return to normal. More importantly, Hubalde reminded everyone to help each other in fighting the virus.
Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidates Mark Yee and John Wilson shared the sentiments of Paulo Hubalde. In their own messages, the two emphasized the importance of staying at home. Of course, they likewise reminded the public to trust the Lord and keep praying.
Meanwhile, all-star point guard Jai Reyes advised the public to not make life difficult for public officials and leaders who are tirelessly working to deliver aid for the people. He reminded the public to follow rules and guidelines that are being implemented.
For Jai Reyes, the fight against Covid-19 is bigger than basketball. We are in a crisis which makes very difficult for every citizen. Nevertheless, Reyes believes that we all have a role to play. In other words, we should all do our part, for each and everyone to stay at home, and to unite so we can all heal together. He also urged everyone, especially those who have more in life, to help those who are in need.
True enough, what the country is experiencing right now is quite unprecedented. The SARS outbreak in the early 2000's did not result to a lockdown similar to what is currently being implemented.
As of this writing, the enhanced community quarantine is extended until April 30, 2020. Even then, everything will no longer be the same again. Wearing masks and social distancing will be the new normal. This would mean that in case the MPBL playoffs will eventually resume, it might be played on closed doors or perhaps by invitation only.
Everyone must really take precautions because there is no cure, much less vaccine, for Covid-19 as repeatedly told by Health Officials. Pharmaceutical companies are rushing to produce vaccines but it will take moths before they reach the markets. In the meantime, let us heed the advices not only of the MPBL players mentioned but of Doctors and Nurses.
STAY HOME. we can't stress it more than enough.
To slow down the spread of the virus, the World Health Organization recommended the practice of frequent handwashing and social distancing since the virus is transmitted through aerosol droplets from talking, sneezing, or coughing. This is the reason why governments around the world prohibited mass gatherings.
For the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte imposed an enhanced community quarantine over the entire island of Luzon, initially until April 12, 2020 but extended until April 30, 2020, to stop the virus from infecting many provinces or to at least "flatten the curve" and prevent a potential breakdown of the country's healthcare system. The lockdown unfortunately resulted to the suspension of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and other sports league such as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) volleyball tournament.
The government's mandate to the people is very clear. Stay home to save lives. Various MPBL stars have therefore shared video messages in the official Facebook Page of the MPBL to echo the government's order for the people to stay at home.
Gerald Anderson of the Imus Banderas encouraged all MPBL fans and their families to stay safe. He also expressed his gratitude to the frontliners including the doctors, nurses, traffic enforcers, policemen, and soldiers who continued to work in order to keep the public safe amid the pandemic.
"Sa lahat ng mga MPBL family at ka-liga natin jan, please stay safe. At syempre, maraming maraming salamat sa mga frontliners na hanggang ngayon ay nandyan pa rin at nag-aalalay at nagsa-sakripisyo para sa kaligtasan nating lahat. Maraming salamat, Anderson gladly thanked the frontliners."
Anderson also hopes that once the pandemic ends, the frontliners get to spend more time with their families. It will also be an opportunity for him and the general public to reciprocate the sacrifices of the frontliners.
"Sana po, kapag natapos ang lahat ng ito, magkakaroon kayo ng pagkakataon, ng oras, at ng panahon para makasama ninyo ang inyong mga pamilya. At sana naman, kapag natapos na ang lahat ng ito, kami naman ang makakabawi, Anderson added."
Paulo Hubalde of the Valenzuela City Carga Backload Solutions joined Gerald Anderson in reminding the public to stay at home and to keep washing their hands clean. According to him, we must observe hygienic practices not only for our own sake but for the safety of everyone in the family.
"Hello mga kaliga! Ako po si Paulo Hubalde ng Val City. Andito po ako para magremind sa inyo na manatili po tayo sa ating mga tahanan at ugaliin po nating maghugas ng kamay. Para po sa atin ito, para sa pamilya natin at para sa mga mahal natin sa buhay, Hubalde advised."
Fondly called as "Aquaman", Hubalde also stressed the importance of praying. While he understands the difficulty that we are all going through, he encouraged everyone to pray for the Lord to heal the country so that everything will return to normal. More importantly, Hubalde reminded everyone to help each other in fighting the virus.
"Alam ko pong may pinagdadaanan tayo ngayon. Magdasal lang po tayo at magtulong-tulong. Malalagpasan po natin ang krisis na ito kaya maniwala po tayo sa panginoon na He will heal this country na maging normal ang lahat. Nakaka-miss maglaro ng basketball, kaya tulong tulong po tayo mga ka-liga. Stay safe! Stay home! Wash your hands. God bless!"
Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidates Mark Yee and John Wilson shared the sentiments of Paulo Hubalde. In their own messages, the two emphasized the importance of staying at home. Of course, they likewise reminded the public to trust the Lord and keep praying.
"Hi po mga Ka-liga. Mag-ingat po tayong lahat kasama ng mga pamilya natin. Palagi po tayong magdasal kay panginoong Hesus, tsaka magtiwala po sa kanya. Kayang kaya po nating lagpasan itong Covid-19 dahil mahal na mahal po tayo ng panginoong Hesus. Stay at home po. God bless, said Mark Yee."
Meanwhile, all-star point guard Jai Reyes advised the public to not make life difficult for public officials and leaders who are tirelessly working to deliver aid for the people. He reminded the public to follow rules and guidelines that are being implemented.
"Sa ating mga public officials at leaders, alam naming napakahirap ng inyong trabaho ngayon kaya inaanyayahan ko lahat ng mga kaliga na sumunod kayo sa mga patakaran ng ating LGU at National Government dahil alam naman natin na laging para sa ikabubuti natin ang kanilang mga desisyon, appealed Jai Reyes."
For Jai Reyes, the fight against Covid-19 is bigger than basketball. We are in a crisis which makes very difficult for every citizen. Nevertheless, Reyes believes that we all have a role to play. In other words, we should all do our part, for each and everyone to stay at home, and to unite so we can all heal together. He also urged everyone, especially those who have more in life, to help those who are in need.
"Alam kong nami-miss na nating lahat ang MPBL ngunit ngayon, meron tayong laban na mas malaki kesa basketball. Kaya inaanyayahan ko po ang lahat na gampanan natin ang ating tungkulin na manatili sa ating mga bahay. Alam kong napakahirap dahil meron tayong pamilyang sinusuportahan pero kelangan nating gawin ito sa panahon ngayon. Ito ang natutunan natin sa krisis na ito na kailangan nating magkaisa upang malampasan ito. Kaya sa lahat ng tao, inaanyayahan ko kayo na tumulong tayo sa lahat ng mga nangangailangan, sa mga healthworkers, frontliners, at sa mga nagtratrabaho pa rin hanggang ngayon. Maraming maraming salamat at pinagdarasal namin kayo, Jai Reyes explained."
True enough, what the country is experiencing right now is quite unprecedented. The SARS outbreak in the early 2000's did not result to a lockdown similar to what is currently being implemented.
As of this writing, the enhanced community quarantine is extended until April 30, 2020. Even then, everything will no longer be the same again. Wearing masks and social distancing will be the new normal. This would mean that in case the MPBL playoffs will eventually resume, it might be played on closed doors or perhaps by invitation only.
Everyone must really take precautions because there is no cure, much less vaccine, for Covid-19 as repeatedly told by Health Officials. Pharmaceutical companies are rushing to produce vaccines but it will take moths before they reach the markets. In the meantime, let us heed the advices not only of the MPBL players mentioned but of Doctors and Nurses.
STAY HOME. we can't stress it more than enough.
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