Shift to “new normal?” Teleradyo questions downgrading of national alert levels

CHEERS TO Pasada sa Teleradyo’s segment for raising issues about the decision-making process that led to downgrading the Alert Level of the capital and other parts of the country from 2 to 1. It takes courage to question the good news that this decision carries. The downgrade has been welcomed by business, by government agencies concerned about financial and economic recovery and by schools. Most of all, it has been cheered by people who are eager to resume normal activities. 

Last February 22, the Metro Manila Council recommended to the IATF the shift to the lowest Alert level for the region. It argued that, among other reasons,16 out of 17 local government units of the region now rank as low-risk, the positivity rate is less than 5 percent and the region has high vaccination rates. 

Most of the coverage merely echoed what officials said, reinforcing the government line that the pandemic response must now prioritize the economy. 

Some reports quoted the reservations of medical experts and healthcare workers because of the risks posed by campaign events. The same concern was expressed by Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya. But the IATF approved the downgrade and its implementation on March 1. Thirty-eight other areas in the country under Alert Level 2 were similarly reclassified. 

Media filled out their reports with Level 1 protocols: public transport to run at full capacity; full operations in the workplace, in both public and private establishments; optional application of contact tracing measures, temperature checks and plastic shields. Masks remain obligatory, and the presentation of vaccination cards must be complied with where required. 

Reports carried statements from officials who pushed for the shift to Alert Level 1: Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez urged employees to report to their offices to stimulate spending. Karl Chua, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary, estimated PHP9.4 billion in weekly economic gains.

But Pasada sa Teleradyo pointed to the realities on the ground. Anchors Peter Musngi and Rica Lazo observed the increased public activity even under Alert Level 2 as businesses resumed regular operations. With the public seemingly ignoring the rules set under Alert Level 2, they warned that the downgraded Alert level could send the wrong message – that things are now normal and COVID-19 is no longer a danger. 

Edson Guido, the head of ABS-CBN’s Data Analytics team, joined the discussion. He recalled that in December 2021, Alert Level 2 was upheld when daily tallies were only in the hundreds. Level 2 has been downgraded to Level 1 while daily tallies still average one thousand. The country has not reverted to the low case numbers of December 2021. What points justify the lower Alert level? 

Guido also agreed with Musngi and Lazo that the public no longer follows Alert level protocols, citing Google Mobility data that shows pre-pandemic levels of movement. Guido also referred to the challenges of the campaign period, maintaining that the more prudent decision is to maintain Alert Level 2 if only to warn that the COVID-19 threat remains.

Lazo asked Guido to explain the significance of vaccination rates in deciding the shift to a “new normal.” He provided important numbers: 

• A total of 63 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated, but this is still far from the original target of 77 million that was supposed to be met before 2021 ended.
• Being vaccinated has given many a false sense of security. They feel no need to get  booster shots, which has become common practice in many countries in the world. Data for this shows only 10 million Filipinos have availed of booster shots.

Guido emphasized that opening up the economy requires the protection of the most vulnerable, including senior citizens, yet many of them remain unvaccinated. He urged the government to address the logistical challenges as well as vaccine hesitancy. 

The government has no capacity to fully evaluate the potential of another surge or the peril involved in each case of infection. For so long as COVID-19 remains a threat, government has the obligation to promote all safety measures, with widely publicized warnings to vulnerable groups that they must take all the precautions necessary for their protection. Government has to be forthright in the messages. DOH knows that the country’s hospitals will not be able to deal with another surge.

After all, it is only the general health of the population that can sustain levels of activity for economic recovery. 

ABS-CBN’s Pasada sa Teleradyo has set the example  –  establish the facts and let the public know. Other media must follow suit. ABS-CBN has consistently risen to the challenge of questioning official decisions through its sound data analysis. Unfortunately, other news organizations have not made the same effort on this front.