It’s the second day of the Metro Manila community quarantine today, Mar. 16. So far, all we’ve seen in the news and social media are people going through checkpoints to get to work, as well as people expressing their concerns and anxiety regarding the COVID-19 situation in the country.
That said, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray used her platform to raise awareness and offer prayers to those who need it during this trying time in the world.
“I understand many of us don’t have the ability to stay home because of the need to go to work to provide for our families and put food on the table. Many of our workers are still going out every day to help in supplying food, services and especially, those who are tirelessly on the frontlines in all our medical centers and hospitals,” wrote Gray on Instagram.
Despite having a community quarantine and social distancing policy in place, many workers in and out of Metro Manila were still spotted in long transportation queues and highway checkpoints as they made their way to their offices.
LOOK: A long queue of people and vehicles has formed on Monday as the military officers check every individual's temperature and identification cards on a checkpoint between the boundary of North Caloocan and San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. (📷 Jam Sta. Rosa, PDI) pic.twitter.com/3dHx9tg7au
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) March 16, 2020
Some public hospitals have also called for donations of face masks, PPEs and other supplies to help healthcare workers and patients. This raised questions among netizens on whether the government allotted enough funds for the health sector.
HELP SAVE LIVES! Bayanihan laban sa COVID-19!
The Philippine General Hospital, a state-owned hospital, is in need of donations of face masks and other medical supplies to aid our patients, health workers, and interns. UP students are leading a donation drive for our frontliners. pic.twitter.com/7tyu7HP4aS
— UP Office of the Student Regent (@uposr) March 15, 2020
Please help pic.twitter.com/buY4u6BaTg
— Jay Germar, MD (@jvgermarmd) March 14, 2020
Pres. Rodrigo Duterte announced that Luzon will be under “enhanced community quarantine.” This means that “strict home quarantine shall be implemented in all households; transportation shall be suspended; provision for food and essential services shall be regulated; and heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures will be implemented.”
Amid the news, Gray called on her followers to pray for the workers and frontliners, as well as our government officials. “Please join me in including them in your daily prayers, along with praying for wisdom for our leaders and praying for the quick progress of a vaccine and the health for all our nations.Wherever in the world you are take this as a time to draw close…to your loved ones, family and also to God.”
Photo courtesy of Catriona Gray’s Instagram account
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