Philippine COVID - 19 And The Truth.
As of the 2015 Census, the total population in Central Luzon Philippines was 11.22 Million people and the region encompasses a very large area. (See this website:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Central+Luzon/@15.3641091,119.8405344,8.3z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x33972fc30b864ae1:0xacda5d7d477e0834!8m2!3d15.4827722!4d120.7120023).
Now the Philippine Department of Health states on their website (https://www.doh.gov.ph/covid19tracker) that there are only 353 COVID 19 cases to date, this means that the ratio of COVID cases to the population is
3.15E-5 or more easily 0.00315%. This is really a small infinitesimal number and yet we are considered in a high risk category. Now if we get down to the numbers listed of total cases, vs total deaths, total cases vs total recoveries and total cases vs. total for validation, these numbers will change slightly. Total deaths are 26, total recovered are 22, total for validation are 88 and total hospitalized are 217. The numbers show a small amount of people who have died at 7.4% and since recoveries are a smaller number the percentage is also smaller, 6.2%, and for validation is 29%. However if you compare these numbers to the total population of Central Luzon, you can imagine how low the percentage is, if you see above that 353 total cases divided by 11.22 million people in percentage becomes. There is no real scientific or medical reason to extend the quarantine to this region.
Now let's compare this to Metro Manila. According to the same 2015 Census, the population of the National Capital Region is approximately 12.9 Million people crammed into a very small area. The total number of COVID cases in this region, again using the data from the DOH website, are 4673. Do the math and the percentage of total cases to population is 3.6%, which definitely shows a higher number. (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Metro+Manila/@14.5677544,120.8805563,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x3397c8d26026386d:0x5fed23daac9278d0!8m2!3d14.6090537!4d121.0222565)
Another interesting factor are the number of deaths (310), the number of recoveries (474), and the number for validation (1567). Do the math and the percentages of Central Luzon and Manila are closely related. 6.6%, 10.1%, and 33.5% respectfully. These numbers do show a reason to possibly quarantine.
But looking as a whole over the total numbers, the National Capital region has 13.24 more cases of COVID 19 than Central Luzon. Now, if the population of Central Luzon were squeezed into the size of the National Capital Region, would there be more cases? This would remain to be seen.
Now there seems to be scientific studies going on about quarantines and COVID 19. These studies have shown that the virus cannot last long when exposed to direct sunlight, is not an airborne virus so it cannot be spread other than by direct contact or within 1 meter of someone who is not following proper hygiene when they cough or sneeze, and cannot last long on surfaces which are heated by the sun. Being out in the sun provides the body with vital nutrients and vitamins. This is an excerpt from one of the medical articles on sunlight.
15 Health Benefits of Sunshine
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Central+Luzon/@15.3641091,119.8405344,8.3z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x33972fc30b864ae1:0xacda5d7d477e0834!8m2!3d15.4827722!4d120.7120023).
Now the Philippine Department of Health states on their website (https://www.doh.gov.ph/covid19tracker) that there are only 353 COVID 19 cases to date, this means that the ratio of COVID cases to the population is
3.15E-5 or more easily 0.00315%. This is really a small infinitesimal number and yet we are considered in a high risk category. Now if we get down to the numbers listed of total cases, vs total deaths, total cases vs total recoveries and total cases vs. total for validation, these numbers will change slightly. Total deaths are 26, total recovered are 22, total for validation are 88 and total hospitalized are 217. The numbers show a small amount of people who have died at 7.4% and since recoveries are a smaller number the percentage is also smaller, 6.2%, and for validation is 29%. However if you compare these numbers to the total population of Central Luzon, you can imagine how low the percentage is, if you see above that 353 total cases divided by 11.22 million people in percentage becomes. There is no real scientific or medical reason to extend the quarantine to this region.
Now let's compare this to Metro Manila. According to the same 2015 Census, the population of the National Capital Region is approximately 12.9 Million people crammed into a very small area. The total number of COVID cases in this region, again using the data from the DOH website, are 4673. Do the math and the percentage of total cases to population is 3.6%, which definitely shows a higher number. (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Metro+Manila/@14.5677544,120.8805563,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x3397c8d26026386d:0x5fed23daac9278d0!8m2!3d14.6090537!4d121.0222565)
Another interesting factor are the number of deaths (310), the number of recoveries (474), and the number for validation (1567). Do the math and the percentages of Central Luzon and Manila are closely related. 6.6%, 10.1%, and 33.5% respectfully. These numbers do show a reason to possibly quarantine.
But looking as a whole over the total numbers, the National Capital region has 13.24 more cases of COVID 19 than Central Luzon. Now, if the population of Central Luzon were squeezed into the size of the National Capital Region, would there be more cases? This would remain to be seen.
Now there seems to be scientific studies going on about quarantines and COVID 19. These studies have shown that the virus cannot last long when exposed to direct sunlight, is not an airborne virus so it cannot be spread other than by direct contact or within 1 meter of someone who is not following proper hygiene when they cough or sneeze, and cannot last long on surfaces which are heated by the sun. Being out in the sun provides the body with vital nutrients and vitamins. This is an excerpt from one of the medical articles on sunlight.
15 Health Benefits of Sunshine
April 27, 2016
"Just for a moment, forget what you have heard about sunshine, skin cancer and harmful ultra-violet radiation. Spring has arrived and before we know it summer will be here. That means hotter and sunnier days are on their way.
When natural sunlight hits the skin it triggers the body’s production of vitamin D. Vitamin D is also known as “the sunshine vitamin.” It is a crucial ingredient for overall health; protects against inflammation, lowers high blood pressure, helps muscles, improves brain function and may even protect against cancer.
Low levels of vitamin D can cause heart disease, prostate cancer and dementia.[slideshow:83851]
Your body is meant to be in the sun, and exposure to sunlight during the day is crucial to your wellbeing (Sunlight May Improve Heart Health). It is advised to get at least 10-15 minutes of sunlight daily.
Exposure to sunlight has a huge impact on depression, seasonal affective disorder and sleep quality. According to Forbes, “in 2012, 60 million Americans filled prescriptions for sleeping pills, up from 46 million in 2006 (as reported in The New York Times).”
Adding a little sunshine to your life can even promote weight loss (The Health Benefits of Weight Loss)! The warmer months allows for fun outdoor activities. Go on a hike (The 10 Best Spring Hikes in the U.S.), take up a new sport, go for a run, bike around your neighborhood or even plan a camping trip. You will be surprised to see what spending a little time outdoors can do for your health."
So now the question has be asked, is being locked up in an enclosed area more advantageous where, for instance a family member can be infected and spread the virus easily to other family members, and these spread it to others and so forth, not to mention the toll that is taken in one's mental capacity and financial well being. Being able to go out and receive the necessary nutrients and vitamins from the sun and being where is it less likely for the virus to spread is a much better solution.
A reference to this is:
https://www.fhi.no/en/op/novel-coronavirus-facts-advice/facts-and-general-advice/social-distance-quarantine-and-isolation/
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