Keeping Safe Amidst the Spread of Omicron

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New year, new variant this is how we start our 2022. Due to the highly mutated Omicron variant, coronavirus infection will probably continue rising and will cause another “serious surge”.

As the country faces another variant of concern, it is important to know what Omicron is, how it starts and what are the symptoms of this new COVID-19 variant?

The multiple variations of Omicron may lead to more aggressive resistance to current vaccines. Triple mutations in the strain suggest a stronger immune capacity.

Since the first detection of this strain on November 09, 2021, it has spread to 106 countries and regions as of December 21, 2021.

On December 12, 2021, The WHO said that the Omicron strain is more contagious compared to the Delta strain, as suggested by early data obtained from relevant studies, and that it could undermine the potency of vaccines but cause less severe symptoms.

On December 15, 2021, A report issued by the WHO revealed that the Omicron strain has the potential to reduce the effectiveness of vaccines and puts exposed individuals at a higher risk of contracting this strain.

On December 31, 2021, The Department of Health detected 10 more Omicron cases - three of which are local cases. According to the DOH, there is already a “high possibility” of local transmission of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in the Philippines. Following the detection of the three local Omicron cases, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced last Friday, December 31, 2021, that Metro Manila will be placed under Alert 3 from January 3 to 15, 2022 - cutting short Alert Level 2 in the region.

Fr. Austriaco, a Filipino priest/microbiologist, says that a rapid increase in cases is to be expected. However, he is optimistic that Omicron might actually be a blessing and may signal the end of the pandemic. “We have to realize that Omicron is the beginning of the end of the pandemic because Omicron is going to provide the kind of population immunity that should stabilize our societies and should allow us to reopen,” he said speaking during a GoNegosyo Townhall. He followed saying the surge caused by Omicron will be mild cases with lesser hospitalizations and fatalities. “It’s milder, but if you’re unvaccinated, it’s still harder for you,” he added.

Getting infected by Omicron comes with its own symptoms and to achieve immunity from this strain once infected, recovery is still the goal

To date, the known symptoms of Omicron are as follows:

● Sore Muscles

● Fever

● Dry Cough/Sore Throat

● Extreme Tiredness

Reminders on health protocols

There are many treatments that were not given much stress throughout the pandemic. Physiological, emotional, and psychological rehabilitation treatments also play a big part in battling this virus. In China, there are three Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) to treat COVID-19 and we are very lucky to have one of these three TCMs registered and widely distributed in the Philippines - Lianhua Qingwen Capsule.

Of course, getting vaccinated is imperative and recommended for protection against the virus, as is getting a booster shot for more protection.

Following the preventive measures of social distancing, wearing of face mask, frequent hand washing, use of sanitizer alcohol, and keeping healthy by exercising, getting sunshine, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep. Early treatment is important. Do not wait until symptoms become worse before taking Lianhua Qingwen. Take it at the onset of symptoms to recover quickly. Remember the importance of the Philippine government’s PDITR +V strategy, which is Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, Reintegrate, and Vaccinate, which is sure to cut off transmission chains. Of course, with the cooperation of all the Filipinos, we can do our share to help control and manage the surge of COVID-19.

Hopefully, all this information will be of good use to the community, companies & organizations, and on a macro scale for local and national governments as the country goes through a “serious surge” of the Omicron Variant. This is a war between an elusive virus and man. If everyone works together, there will surely be success in this war against COVID-19.

Despite its safety, Lianhua Qingwen is currently classified as a prescription drug (Rx)—requiring a doctor’s prescription. Prescription-holding consumers may purchase it in all Mercury Drug Stores, Southstar Drug, Watsons, Rose Pharmacy, and TGP nationwide and other pharmacies at a suggested retail price of P288.00/box (24 capsules/box).

For more information on Lianhua Qingwen, visit www.philarchipelago.com or call tel. no. (02) 8361-7491 to 98 loc. 844.

Shopee and the Department of Health Team Up to Encourage Filipinos to Get Vaccinated

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Through this partnership, Shopee and the Department of Health aim to raise awareness on the importance of COVID-19 vaccination through education

MANILA, JUNE 11, 2021 -Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, partners with the Department of Health (DOH) to promote education about COVID-19 vaccines through in-app and social media initiatives. As the Philippines aims to vaccinate 70% of its population within three to five years, this partnership between Shopee and DOH augments the concerted effort of the private sector and local government units to encourage Filipinos to get vaccinated and protect themselves and their loved ones against COVID-19.

While the local government rolls out COVID-19 vaccination programs, the vaccine hesitancy rate among Filipinos continues to increase, going from 47% in January 2021 to 61% by the end of the first quarter. They remain resistant to the vaccine due to three key reasons: concerns about potential side effects, uncertainty about efficacy, and skepticism.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee is honored to partner with the Department of Health to educate Filipinos on the importance and benefits of vaccination. Through our collaboration with DOH, we can provide the community with accurate and science-backed vaccine information. With proper education, we aim to raise the public’s awareness and hopefully encourage more people to get vaccinated.”

Beverly C. Ho, MD, MPH, Director IV, at Health Promotion Bureau DOH, said, “This partnership symbolizes what we, in the Health Promotion Bureau, want to do—meet people where they are and make living healthy easy. That's why we are thankful to use Shopee’s platform, one that effectively reaches and engages millions of Filipinos, to make RESBAKUNA reach a wider audience. The immense potential this partnership holds, not only in increasing vaccine confidence but in improving overall health literacy among Filipinos, truly excites us.”

Starting this month until August, users can learn more about vaccines’ safety and effectiveness from DOH and World Health Organization representatives. On June 23, 9:00 PM, users can watch a discussion on “Fake vs Fact on COVID-19 Vaccine Safety and Efficacy” on Shopee Live. Shopee will post helpful information about the vaccines on its official social media pages. A separate microsite will also be available on the Shopee app.

Visit https://shopee.ph/m/resbakuna-kasangga-ng-bida to stay updated on Shopee’s initiatives against COVID-19.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Jollibee Group Foundation, Temasek Foundation team up to feed communities, frontliners affected by COVID-19

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Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) has partnered with Singapore-based Temasek Foundation to augment the Jollibee Group FoodAID Program, which seeks to help feed healthcare workers and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 Jollibee Group Foundation and Singapore-based Temasek Foundation partner donated 105, 650 meals across five Philippine regions.

Temasek Foundation is a non-profit philanthropic organization that supports programs that uplift lives and communities in Singapore and beyond. The Foundation aims to strengthen social resilience, foster international exchange and regional capabilities, advance science, and protect the planet.

Through the support provided by Temasek Foundation, JGF and its partners were able to distribute 105,650 meals across Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal from September to December 2020. Of these, 99,400 meals were served to communities, while the remaining 6,250 meals were served to healthcare workers from 20 public hospitals.

The FoodAID Program was implemented through three initiatives, all of which were supported by the Temasek Foundation.

First is the distribution of ready-to-cook food packs that were directly delivered to communities through JGF’s local partner organizations. JGF leveraged on Jollibee Group’s expertise in meal preparation and product development of specially designed food packs—Chicken Guisado and Beef Meatballs—that allow more people to be provided with nutritious, delicious meals at a lower cost.

Second is Project Karinderya—a program that helps feed families while facilitating livelihood development of karinderya (local food stores) operators. Through the support from Temasek Foundation, JGF partnered with Kasagana-Ka Development Center (KDCI) and Kabuhayan sa Ganap na Kasarinlan Credit and Savings Cooperative (K-Coop) to re-establish 30 karinderyas that served 200 families with daily meals for 30 days. JGF also provided training for karinderya owners and health cadets on food preparation, food safety, and customer service to further build their capacities and help them become self-sufficient even after the project duration.

A health cadet trained through Project Karinderya helps ensure that karinderya operators observe standards on food preparation, food safety, and customer service in Quezon City. Project Karinderya is a two-in-one program that helps both karinderya owners whose operations were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and families in urban poor communities through meal subsidies.

Third is the distribution of ready-to-eat meals to healthcare workers who are working at hospitals in Metro Manila with the highest incidences of COVID-19.

The Jollibee Group FoodAID Program distributed meals to healthcare workers on the frontlines of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“COVID-19 is a global long-term public health crisis, undermining not just our physical and mental health but also our economy and livelihoods. Viruses do not respect borders and it is only when we band together as one will we be able to defeat this global enemy. We are happy to work with Jollibee Group Foundation in the Philippines to provide more than 105,000 meals and other support where they are most needed. The smiles and resolve of the beneficiaries to soldier on and pull through together is an indication that we are on the right track,” said Mr. Benedict Cheong, Chief Executive of Temasek Foundation International.

“There exists a need for sustained collaborative efforts that can effectively promote access to food among communities by the pandemic and recent disasters. We thank the Temasek Foundation for their trust in the Jollibee Group and their belief in the objectives of the FoodAID Program. Truly, crises such as this pandemic have the power to band like-minded people and groups together,” said Jollibee Group Foundation Executive Director Gisela Tiongson.

Together with partners and donors, Jollibee Group FoodAID Program has mobilized Php300 million (USD 6.2 million)-worth of food assistance or 4.7 million meals for families and frontliners from March to December 2020.

As the social development arm of Jollibee Group, JGF implements programs on agriculture, education, and disaster response with partner communities nationwide.

Made possible through philanthropic endowments gifted by Singapore’s Temasek, Temasek Foundation’s programs strive towards achieving positive outcomes for individuals and communities now, and for generations to come.

NutriAsia Rolls Out Free Vaccination Program for Employees and Dependents

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NutriAsia, the Philippines’ leading company for condiments and sauces, attributes its success to its people who are committed to providing excellent and quality products for every Filipino household.  As such, the company considers People its most important asset and is providing free COVID-19 vaccines to its employees and their qualified dependents to protect them and safeguard their good health.  The implementation of the planned vaccination program will follow government regulations and guidelines.

“A staple on every Filipino table, NutriAsia and its brands are wholeheartedly committed to aid our national government in its pursuit to fight COVID-19 and its effects. We are choosing to proactively be part of the solution to end the worst public health crisis in a century with the decision to give our employees and three of their qualified dependents the option to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus,” says Joselito Campos, Jr., Chairman of NutriAsia.  “Knowing that family is at the heart of any person, we feel that extending the vaccination option to our employees’ dependents will give our people peace of mind with the assurance of their loved ones’ health and safety.  This is important as our employees continue to help rebuild the economy through invaluable frontline work at NutriAsia by providing basic food products for their countrymen.”

Guided by Filipino values that have shaped how the company has moved forward, NutriAsia will continue to agilely respond to the changing nature of the pandemic, as it remains a steadfast partner of Filipino homes all over the world in looking forward to better, brighter days ahead.

Teleperformance to offer free Covid-19 vaccinations for all employees

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Highlighting its commitment to promote the safety and welfare of its employees, Teleperformance Philippines will be offering free Covid-19 vaccinations for their more than 47,000 employees in the country nationwide.

This is in line with the global initiative of Teleperformance to provide free access to vaccines for all its employees worldwide. As the nation awaits the ongoing government reviews to allow distribution of the vaccine, Teleperformance Philippines is currently collaborating with government agencies and employers in the country to quickly secure the supply of safe and effective FDA-approved vaccines for 100% of their employees.

 

Teleperformance, a leading global group in digitally integrated business services recently announced its plans to reimburse the cost of Covid-19 vaccinations for its more than 330,000 employees worldwide, wherever the vaccine is not being provided free of charge by the country’s healthcare system. The plan will be deployed in accordance with the decisions of the local authorities concerned and in partnership with key private healthcare partners across Teleperformance’s footprint, which spans 80 countries.

 

Since the start of the Covid-19 crisis, Teleperformance has paid careful attention to protecting its employees, notably with a strong focus on health and hygiene standards in all its locations, millions of masks proactively secured and distributed to its staff, the assertive move to a Work-at-Home delivery model in conjunction with its clients, and enforcement of extra physical distance at its operational sites, over and above local country guidelines.

 

A Great Place to Work® certified company, Teleperformance Philippines likewise initiated efforts throughout the pandemic to promote the safety and well-being of their employees while helping businesses adjust to the new environment. Aside from stringent health and safety protocols on-site, they also implemented the work-at-home (WAH) model for thousands of employees and  launched Teleperformance Cloud Campus, a model that allows home-based interaction experts to work from anywhere in the world while remaining connected virtually to their Teleperformance team through one of the Cloud Campus hubs.

 

Today, by offering the vaccine as a free, optional staff benefit, Teleperformance aims not only to honor its commitment to protecting the health of its people, but also to help governments address the pandemic with agile, large-scope support of vaccination programs deployed at the corporate level.

 

Teleperformance Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Julien remarked, “Nothing is more important in fulfilling our mission than the safety and health of all our employees. Since the beginning of this grave crisis, we have done everything in our power to ensure business continuity for our clients and protect the health and safety of our employees, our partners, and jobs in the communities where the Group is present. Now, more than ever, we are focused on the same priorities. Based on strong relationships with healthcare partners and in compliance with government decisions and procurement agendas, we are well prepared across the world to assist in securing critical Covid-19 vaccinations for our employees. The reimbursement of vaccination costs for our staff is another critical step in this commitment to our employees. We will support every employee in the Group who wants the vaccine, especially in countries where the public or private insurance system doesn’t cover the cost. We are also proud to be actively contributing to the ongoing fight against the virus by boosting vaccinations worldwide.”

 

Teleperformance Chief Executive Officer for US, Canada, and Philippines Mike Lytle added, “From the beginning, the safety and well-being of our employees has been our priority. While the past year has definitely been a challenging one for the company and its many employees and partners, the announcement of the vaccine brings hope for everyone across the globe and we are committed to giving free access to this for all our employees. As we wait for the distribution of the vaccine, we continue to maintain a positive outlook for the industry and the country. We enjoin everyone in the ongoing fight against Covid-19 by continuing to follow the government’s lead and practice safety measures and protocols wherever they are.”

COVID-19: Schools for more than 168 million children globally have been completely closed for almost a full year, says UNICEF

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UNICEF unveils ‘Pandemic Classroom’ at United Nations Headquarters in New York to call attention to the need for governments to prioritize the reopening of schools

NEW YORK, 3 March 2021 – Schools for more than 168 million children globally have been completely closed for almost an entire year due to COVID-19 lockdowns, according to new data released today by UNICEF. Furthermore, around 214 million children globally – or 1 in 7 – have missed more than three-quarters of their in-person learning.

The analysis of the school closure report notes that 14 countries worldwide have remained largely closed from March 2020 to February 2021. Two-thirds of those countries are in Latin America and the Caribbean, affecting nearly 98 million schoolchildren. Of the 14 countries, Panama has kept schools closed for the most days, followed by El Salvador, Bangladesh, and Bolivia.

“As we approach the one-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are again reminded of the catastrophic education emergency worldwide lockdowns have created. With every day that goes by, children unable to access in-person schooling fall further and further behind, with the most marginalized paying the heaviest price,” said Henrietta Fore UNICEF Executive Director. “We cannot afford to move into year two of limited or even no in-school learning for these children. No effort should be spared to keep schools open, or prioritize them in reopening plans.”

School closures have devastating consequences for children’s learning and wellbeing. The most vulnerable children and those unable to access remote learning are at an increased risk of never returning to the classroom, and even being forced into child marriage or child labor. According to latest data by UNESCO, more than 888 million children worldwide continue to face disruptions to their education due to full and partial school closures.

The majority of schoolchildren worldwide rely on their schools as a place where they can interact with their peers, seek support, access health and immunization services and a nutritious meal. The longer schools remain closed, the longer children are cut off from these critical elements of childhood.

To call attention to the education emergency and raise awareness about the need for governments to keep schools open, or prioritize them in reopening plans, UNICEF today unveiled ‘Pandemic Classroom,’ a model classroom made up of 168 empty desks, each desk representing the million children living in countries where schools have been almost entirely closed – a solemn reminder of the classrooms in every corner of the world that remain empty.

“This classroom represents the millions of centers of learning that have sat empty—many for almost the entire year. Behind each empty chair hangs an empty backpack—a placeholder for a child’s deferred potential,” said Fore. “We do not want shuttered doors and closed buildings to obscure the fact that our children’s futures are being put on indefinite pause. This installation is a message to governments: we must prioritize reopening schools, and we must prioritize reopening them better than they were before.”

As students return to their classrooms, they will need support to readjust and catch up on their learning. School reopening plans must incorporate efforts to recover children’s lost education. UNICEF urges governments to prioritize the unique needs of every student, with comprehensive services covering remedial learning, health and nutrition, and mental health and protection measures in schools to nurture children and adolescents’ development and wellbeing. UNICEF’s Framework for Reopening Schools, issued jointly with UNESCO, UNHCR, WFP, and the World Bank, offers practical advice for national and local authorities.

Learn More About the COVID-19 Vaccine in the Philippines Through #VaccineAlamin : TikTok partners with the Manila City Government on this important COVID-19 vaccine education campaign

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The COVID-19 vaccine is gradually becoming available around the world, and in the Philippines, preparations are underway for a vaccination program roll-out in the coming months. Vaccination plays a key role in ending the COVID-19 pandemic by preparing a person's immune system to fight the virus, should you be exposed. This potentially helps to reduce its spread within entire communities. 

At present, the majority of Filipinos are still unwilling to receive the vaccine due to concerns over its safety, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey. This poses a challenge to the implementation plans of both local and national government units. To address this, the City Government of Manila has partnered with TikTok for #VaccineAlamin, a COVID-19 vaccine education campaign. #VaccineAlamin aims to boost awareness on the health benefits of immunization, and spread accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccine to the public.

The #VaccineAlamin Campaign was launched via TikTok Live last February 22. During the event, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno provided an overview of what local government units are doing to support the nationwide vaccination program. According to him, their goal is not to force people to get vaccinated but instead encourage and help educate them, to enable more Filipinos to make informed decisions once the vaccination program is underway. 

Mayor Isko identified fear and misinformation as two of the biggest barriers that need to be broken down. He said,

"Kaya nagkaroon ng doubt ang ating mga kababayan, dahil dun sa nangyaring isang bakuna na medyo nagkaroon ng masamang impresyon ang mga mamamayan. Pangalawa, 'yung mga misinformation about existing vaccines all over the world."

The mayor also stressed the importance of communication, adding that the most effective strategy is to engage people, and make sure that they have access to factual information. He said,

"I think it's more on talking to the people, kaya kami nagpapasalamat sa TikTok, because this is a set of audience, because of its demographics, if we can use this type of outlet, malaking bagay kasi 'yung tao directly makatatanong samin."

He adds,

"Having TikTok nowadays, helps us. People are into it, so why not use it as a form of communication. Sa dami nang binabasa ng mga tao ngayon, sa dami ng pumapasok na impormasyon sa tao ngayon, kailangan maging catchy."

Manila City Health Officer, Dr. Arnold Pangan, also spoke at the launch event. He explained some important things that people need to know about the vaccine. Dr. Pangan clarified that, while the vaccine protects you from suffering from a serious form of COVID-19, it is still possible to get the disease after being vaccinated against it. This is why it is important to still take precautions such as physical distancing and mask-wearing. 

According to Dr. Pangan, "You may still be infected with the COVID-19 virus, tuloy-tuloy pa rin dapat ang ating pag-iingat kahit social distancing, kahit wearing of mask, kasi it's not a guarantee. Pag nabakunahan ka na, ang maganda doon, you will be protected from having a severe form of COVID-19 infection."

Members of the TikTok community can show their support for the #VaccineAlamin Campaign by using the hashtag, and sharing creative content filled with factual information about the virus and the vaccine to boost awareness. Whether it is a skit, a song, or a dance video, as long as it helps spread #VaccineAlamin's message, it is sure to make a difference. Mayor Isko himself issued a challenge to TikTok creators to join the hashtag challenge in order to amplify the campaign. He said, "Create a video that will help inform others about #VaccineAlamin Campaign, i will copy it and tag you!"

TikTok values the safety of the entire community, and the #VaccineAlamin campaign is a great example for how the platform can be used to do good. Through its dynamic features like TikTok Live and hashtags, information dissemination becomes easy, enjoyable, and relatable, while still being meaningful and impactful.

As CNN Philippines News Anchor, James Deakin, who hosted the launch event, said, "It's such a pleasure to use this platform in a way that I never foresaw, but it is very effective. We just want to be able to reach out to as many people as possible. We'd like to thank TikTok for making this possible, for inviting us over here to share this information. As we keep saying, I hope it doesn't sound cliché, we're all in this together."

Learn more about #VaccineAlamin on TikTok, and help spread the word about the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Download the app on your iOS and Android devices today to get started.

Canadian research: Superfood Acai berry could help protect vs COVID-19 symptoms, Organique harnesses its anti-inflammation properties

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In this time of the global pandemic, the health and safety of our loved ones are of utmost importance. It is critical for people to protect their immune systems and maximize all the wellness support they can get. 

Thus, Organique, a USDA approved Acai Berry supplement Brand, has partnered with health and wellness experts in the Philippines and a reputable Canadian research team who has done a clinical study on Acai Berry. 

University of Toronto researchers presented as one viable option the nutrients found in the Brazilian acai super berry in a virtual forum on December 1 in partnership with Philippine wellness company Organique. Filipino medical experts were also present in the forum, entitled “Superfood Acai Berry Against COVID-19 symptoms: How to Harness its Nutrients,” which focused on the Canadian study that found the super berry to be a potential treatment for some COVID-19 symptoms. 

The clinical trial tests, which are slated to wrap up by the end of the first quarter of 2021, will determine whether an early intervention of acai palm berry extract can help mitigate severe inflammation problems in COVID-19 patients, thanks to the superfood’s potent anti-inflammatory properties.

“Organique has always believed in ‘prevention over cure.’ This is what has continuously compelled us to provide an affordable, safe, and effective immunity-boosting supplement powered by the acai super berry,” said Organique CEO and President Cathy Salimbangon. “The findings from the University of Toronto’s study could be ground-breaking as we navigate COVID-19.” 

Organique’s premium health products harness the powers of the Brazilian acai super berry, touting benefits for anti-aging, weight-loss support, immunity-boosting, and more. 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been strong evidence that COVID-19 can trigger the body’s acute inflammatory response, leading to severe complications such as heart and lung inflammation. Initial medical studies have shown that the acai berry’s extracts have the potential of controlling the body’s inflammatory response within normal levels. 

The acai can also significantly decrease NLRP3-mediated inflammation, which is what triggers the body's response to ward off infections and stress. These findings came from Dr. Ana Andreazza, associate professor of Pharmacology and Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Originally from Brazil and working with other Brazilian researchers on this berry, Dr. Andreazza said that “acai was effective as an anti-inflammatory. It's important to note that it has a very similar effect on the NLRP3 cell as it does with damaged mitochondria as we’ve seen.” 

Dr. Joseph Lee, a guest speaker at the forum who has done extensive research on Acai, said, “For the duration that we have given acai to our patients, we have noted that they are stable and there is no erratic change to them even if they are on maintenance for high blood and liver enzyme---and those are prone to changes. Basically, through continued monitoring of all our patients and their responses to acai, we have found that acai remains a most promising superfood that can likely live up to all the claims.” 

A previous study by Dr. Andreazza also revealed that acai may even prevent mental stress too—another problem brought about by the pandemic and its socio-economic consequences such as financial uncertainty, economic slowdown, and long bouts of isolation during lockdowns. 

Although much of the research is at its early stages, the researchers remain positive that it can potentially open doors in the fight against disease worldwide. 

“Within the next six months, we can see if it can be shared globally as efficient treatment. We can see if it can treat the virus, and if ever, be used for prevention, as well as for the actual symptoms. We will also monitor if there are any after-effects in COVID-19 patients two to five years down the line,” added Dr. Michael Farkouh, lead researcher and director of the Peter Munk Centre of Excellence in Multinational Clinical Trials. “The beauty of this trial is it can be done remotely. We can ship the extract or the placebo and monitor them for any need for hospitalization. We will be checking in on them on day 1, day 15, and day 30 for regular monitoring of their clinical status.” 

“This can make a huge difference in a country like the Philippines, where many are unable to afford COVID care. If proven effective, this is just another reason why the acai berry should be a staple in our lifestyle,” stated Dr. Sonny Viloria, an expert in Integrative Wellness. While there has yet to be an approved vaccine for COVID-19, Dr. Viloria iterated that our immune system remains our best weapon against sickness. 

Salimbangon concluded, “We at Organique have been believers of the powers of acai since 2009, and we will continue to spread awareness about it until more people have more access to these supplements. Maintaining good health means good nutrition-—and that could possibly be achieved with supplements like Organique.”

Tips for Gen Zs, millennials in coping with mental health crisis

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There is no doubt that the year 2020 will go down in the history of mankind as one of the most, if not the most, damaging in terms of loss of lives or global economic and political upheaval due to COVID-19. Add to that is the most likely long-term impact on mental health as the world embraces this so-called “new normal” amid a pandemic that has completely changed how people live their lives.

Focusing on making sure that people feel heard and supported, Globe Telecom, through its Hope Bank online community,  has launched the “#StartANewDay – Let’s talk about mental health” webinar series with “Insights for Millennials and Gen Zs” as the first topic, being the two age groups most affected by stress, anxiety, and depression during the community quarantine.

Among the notable speakers were mental health advocates led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, author and principal sponsor of Republic Act No. 11036 (Philippine Mental Health Law);  adult psychiatrist Dr. Corazon Angela Cuadro, occupational medicine specialist Dr. Gia Sison, showbiz personality Kiana Valenciano and #MentalHealthPH co-Founder Roy Dahildahil.

With four children at home, Sen. Hontiveros said the pandemic changed a lot in the way they live but it allowed them to be more open to each other.  She added that the prolonged community quarantine may be used to form a stronger bond with each member of the family or address unresolved issues.

“This pandemic revealed how badly we need one another so I suggest we check up on each other, drink 8 glasses of water daily, turn off the news once in a while, find time to do things and enjoy it if you can and take a rest. In the midst of a public health crisis every facet of our health matters. We must take care of ourselves and that amid all that is happening, remember that mental health, especially among the young generation, will always matter.”

Dr. Cuadro, on the other hand, said that the rise in mental health issues among millennials and Gen Z’s is not an isolated case. For this younger set who are used to going out and being free but are now limited to virtual contacts, it may be difficult for most to cope. “It’s good that they are now more open to express themselves and there’s a safe space now to talk about them and be allowed to express these emotions and experiences, especially possible anxieties and depressive symptoms.”

During the webinar, young singer-songwriter Valenciano who struggles with depression and anxiety said the pandemic taught her to confront directly the issues she’s had in the past. “I had to change my whole thought process, the toxic thinking, I learned to appreciate things more. I also learned to flip things over, especially those seen on social media, to keep my feet grounded and focused on what I can do for myself and let go of things I have no control of.”

In light of millennials and Gen Z’s complicated relationship with social media which is also another source of anxiety and depression, mental health advocacy group leader Dahildahil offered a few tips like being aware of the kind of content they are consuming, the manner content is shared which can also affect other people, and understanding how they were affected by it. “Emotions can be contagious, so is disinformation. Do some self-checking, how were they affected by social media content and ask themselves why do they use social media. Is it about to connect, to express, to inspire people, and how does it help them? If using social media is not helpful anymore, best to take some time off it, more of a digital detox, to also protect themselves,” he said.

Dahildahil’s views were shared by Dr. Sison, who heads the Makati Medical Center’s Women’s Wellness Center who said that millennials and Gen Z’s can also avoid being overwhelmed by all the information and negativity by sticking to credible sources of information only. “Limit sources of information in the Philippines and gather the more credible facts and even limit social media sites being followed. Use the ‘block’ and ‘mute’ feature of the phone if need be to avoid being overwhelmed.”

All the speakers also expressed gladness that there is now a platform where mental health issues can be discussed freely and positively, where everyone can speak up and let their voices and concerns about mental health are heard and create positive change. The more it is being talked about, the better opportunity there is to find solutions, they pointed out.

As the country’s leading telco, Globe supports the promotion of mental health through its various initiatives such as Hope Bank, a safe online space for everyone to openly express their feelings and thoughts about mental health.  It seeks to empower those undergoing emotional and mental challenges caused by Covid-19 and to boost the morale of frontliners and patients including their families and friends. To contribute, members can just post messages using hashtag #SpreadHOPE both on their personal profiles and in the group. These can be through photos, artworks, quotes, song lyrics, poems, videos or anything that expresses hope and positivity. 

Globe also partnered with organizations such as the UP Diliman Psychosocial Services (UPD PsycServ) and New Good Feelings (NGF) Mindstrong’s HOPELINE for free counseling or psychotherapy services for frontliners, Covid-19 patients and relatives and people under monitoring or under investigation. Just call 2919 (Globe and TM subscribers) or 88044673 (landline) for HOPELINE or send a text or Viber message to PsycServ at 09063743466 or 09167573157 with name and concern or accomplish the form found at http://bit.ly/PsycServPH to receive a call from a PsycServ volunteer. PsycServ is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.

For more about Globe Telecom, visit www.globe.com.ph.

“Can the Philippines Dance with COVID-19?” To provide balance in protecting lives, livelihood, Gov't, private sector, civil societies present fresh strategies vs COVID-19

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With the uncertainty of the ongoing pandemic, and Filipinos hungry to open up their lives, new strategies must be formulated for government, business and civil society to bring the country to a sustainable balance.

Industries have to be agile if they are to find the balance between public health and safety and the revitalization of the economy. 

How to prioritize both lives and livelihood, especially in the light of the new MECQ, was tackled by leaders from the health, business, and academic sectors in the virtual business forum, “Can the Philippines Dance with COVID-19?”, held this morning August 5.

The speakers were Secretary Vince Dizon, National Action Plan Against COVID-19  Deputy Chief Implementer and Testing Czar; Department of Health (DOH)  Undersecretary Rosette Vergeire; former DOH secretary Dr. Manuel “Manolet” Dayrit; Josephine Gotianun-Yap, CEO of the Filinvest Development Corporation; and  University of the Philippines College of Public Health (UPCPH) Dean Dr. Vicente  Belizario. Joining them in the panel discussion were Lars Wittig, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Vice President and Country Manager of Regus and Spaces, and George Royeca, Chief Transport Advocate of Angkas. Amor Maclang, Chairwoman of the ECCP’s Innovation Committee and communications technical advisor to the DOH, was panel moderator. 

Secretary Dizon, the country’s designated testing czar, has dedicated himself tirelessly to TASK FORCE T3 (Test, Trace, Treat) over the past few months, the task force convened by the Inter-Agency Task Force – National Task Force (IATF-NTF) and the Department of Health (DOH). For his part, he described how the government fast-

tracked in its response as the number of cases kept rising. While only a limited number of people were tested at the start of the outbreak, the capacity for testing has improved, as the labs increased from one to 96 in four months. “From 500 tests a day in March, we are now doing 35,000 tests today,” he said, “We are pushing to do more tests. We are [now] one of the countries who test the most in Asia and far outpacing the other countries in [the region].”

Secretary Dizon also pointed out that collaboration is critical to achieve more results.  “We have to push more in places with high spreads like Calabarzon. It's all about execution and coming together. "Lahat tayo ay Pilipino at ngayon natin kailangang magsama-sama. Isaisantabi na natin ang iba't ibang kulay at di pagkakaunawaan. Kailangan ng pagtutulungan tulad ng nangyari kamakailan na nagbunga ng pagtaas ng ating testing capacity sa halip ng dalawang buwan. At kung tuluy-tuloy ang ating pagtutulungan, magiging epektibo ang laban natin sa Covid-19.”

Usec. Vergeire shared how the DOH is collaborating with the medical communities on increasing contact and recovery efforts in the barangay level during this MECQ. She said, “We will not wait for patients to go to us; we will go to them. [We will] check for symptoms, and if there are exposed people, do necessary interventions. 

Eventually once we sustain this, the LGUs will be more empowered.” The USEC also emphasized that “DOH is leading this response.”

Dr. Belizario pointed out that accurate communication with the public is needed “to  lower the risk of COVID-19 to low, low levels so it doesn't pose a risk to a significant number of the population and to public areas. We need to train young people to become effective communicators for behavior change. It is not enough to put up posters and ads---we have to make sure that these materials result in behavior modification.”

Complementing communication is the use of data to track COVID-19’s status. He said, 

“Enhanced surveillance and response in the regions and provinces and capacity is built even in the periphery so we can act quickly in the collection and processing of data---and [provide them to] local and national authorities.”

Dr. Dayrit gave his insights on how to realistically reduce the number of cases:

“Don't fixate on the total number of cases. A large proportion of them have already died or recovered. So what are the new cases occurring everyday? This is where we can intervene.”

Dr. Dayrit, a member of Task Force T3, also cited the importance of building capacity in various aspects throughout the entire medical supply chain, including testing, laboratories, isolation, contact tracing, and hospital beds. He emphasized, “We need to invest in and modernize our health system because we will face similar medical challenges in the future. Many of these facilities have been neglected over time. Now we're trying to get them to perform at a level to fight this virus. This is a chance to rise to the occasion.”

Playing a key role for her work in the T3 task force, Ms. Gotianun-Yap emphasizes the importance of data management in preventing the spread of COVID-19, seeing how it can protect industry employees, customers, business partners, and communities. Her company used the StaySafe app for “daily health reporting and app-based contact tracing. It's important for us to have a data system to track COVID-19.” 

She envisioned the building of a “data end-to-end system that can track Covid-19 and link hospitals and clinics. The public will be notified if they come into contact with a positive-tested person.”

Setting best practices for the private sector’s role in preventing transmission of COVID-19, Filinvest was also the first to install safety measures at the initial stages of the outbreak. To prevent infection through commuting, it provided shuttle services for employees. BPO tenants were also allowed to sleep in their office premises. Testing for the workforce, especially the frontliners, were regularly conducted. Mall operations were reinvented to encourage social distancing, and all of its premises, offices, outlets, stores, and other stores were frequently sanitized.

Mr. Wittig agreed that success in containing COVID-19 boils down to “a matter of execution and with the significant contribution of the private enterprise. We have [also] surpassed other countries in testing.” He also said that data-driven efforts like what Filinvest is doing “is helping everyone to see the face of the beast so we can act accordingly.”

Ms. Maclang mentioned how the return of MECQ illuminated the constant challenge posed by the disease: “We have to learn to live with COVID-19 possibly for a long while. If we need a little rest from the fight, then let's take this time to learn how to dance. We have to recalibrate our actions and improve what we are already doing to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.”

Mr. Royeca pointed out the importance of individual responsibility to foster collaboration:

“There are gaps in implementation, but it has to start with ourselves. When we go out, we wear masks, do social distancing, etc. The public needs to know they have a big responsibility. The private sector needs to know our role. Let's use this virus not to be divisive but to unify us. COVID-19 doesn’t care about differences so let's work together and try to solve it.”

Dancing with coronavirus may take a series of complicated steps, but it might be the only feasible approach to protect the lives of millions of Filipinos, while restoring their livelihoods. 

USec. Vergeire summed up the urgency of the situation, saying, “We have two weeks to recalibrate our responses and stop the spread of infection. The sacrifices of people during the MECQ should not be in vain. There is no more national or local, we are all in this together. If we can all collaborate, we can beat COVID-19.”

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