Importance of Patience

The COVID-19 pandemic has been raging for two years now, and although we appear to be approaching the “new normal” as far as living with the virus is concerned, experts throughout the world are cautiously guarded in declaring that the pandemic will soon be over. Given the emergence of several
COVID-19 variants since the original Wuhan strain, with each one seemingly more virulent than the previous ones, such a perspective of experts is understandable, particularly in light of the rapid spread
of the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

NAVIGATING FROM PANDEMIC TO “NEW NORMAL”
In the Philippines, healthcare professionals (i.e., physicians, nurses, medical technologists, and other allied medical workers) remain at the forefront of battling COVID-19 and providing Filipinos with
high-quality medical services, often at the risk of their own health and safety. As president of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), Ma. Encarnita “Maricar” B. Limpin, MD is leveraging her medical expertise, experience, and advocacy to preach patience, as we navigate the intricate path from pandemic to “new normal.” A graduate of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and currently affiliated with the Philippine Heart Center, Dr. Limpin reiterates that we should “take our time so that we can reach the finish line” of this pandemic.

As of March 1, 2022, daily COVID-19 cases in the country have been continuously decreasing, with the positivity rate below five percent; all other metrics (e.g., average daily attack rate, hospitalization/ICU rates) generally indicate that the majority of the Philippines is now at low risk. However, Dr. Limpin’s primary concern is the haste by which the government would want to downgrade COVID-19 alert levels and eventually open the.....