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Manny Pacquiao: a disappointing role model?

5/11/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The praises Manny Pacquiao got in beating Ricky Hatton during a boxing match in Las Vegas, Nevada had been extraordinary. He was truly deserving of such admiration from his adoring fans. Yet, in a rare read, I came across the editorial of Malaya----which was bold in criticizing the sports hero for not heeding the advice of health authorities in Manila and the World Health Organization (WHO.)

The humble entertaining boxer from General Santos City was stubborn. He couldn't be dissuaded from postponing his return so that the health protocol to keep the disease out of the country could be enforced. Billions of dollars had been spent the world over in order to prevent the disease from spreading any further.

“Manny Pacquiao was a disappointment as a role model when he turned a deaf ear to the appeal of health officials to undergo self-quarantine for at least five days before returning to Manila. There were two options presented to him. First, to postpone his return home for at least five days. Second, to closet himself for the same length of time if it was impossible for him to postpone his homecoming.”---- Malaya (05/10/09)

Manny’s slobbering VIP treatment is common in the Philippines. Almost no one in the country can speak against the boxing legend “who can’t go wrong”--- not even Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo and the politicians. The way some people trivialize health risks and disregard medical advice is rather worrisome. I hope nothing horrible comes along because Manny prevailed over the wisdom of Department of Health (DOH). (Photo Credit: Newkleus00)=0=

RELATED BLOGS: "May 8, 2009: H1N1 flu update" Posted by mesiamd at 5/09/2009; " Filipinos take risk in allowing Pacquiao to go home early" Posted by mesiamd at 5/08/2009

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Labels: diseases, DOH, epidemic, Flu, H1N1 virus, Health, Influenza, influenza virus, isolation, Manny Pacquiao, prevention, quarantine, risk, Swine flu, Totie Mesia, WHO

May 8, 2009: H1N1 flu update

5/09/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

As of May 8, 2009, Guatemala is the latest country to report having to deal with H1N1 flu. The country which shares the southern border with Mexico is added among 25 countries which according to the World Health Organization (WHO) have laboratory confirmed the swine flu infection. The Center for Disease Control (CDC,) disclosed that the United States has the H1N1 influenza in 43 states.

The countries with the number of confirmed swine flu cases are: Austria (1), Brazil (4), Canada (214), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Colombia (1), Costa Rica (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (12), Germany (11), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (6), Mexico (1,204), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (5), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (88), Sweden (1), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (34). United States of America (1,639).

In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) and the government caved in to boxer Manny (Pacman) Pacquiao's decision to go home ignoring the quarantine recommendation of WHO. This is also true with the 50 congressmen who came to the United States to watch the Pacquiao-Hatton match.

The early return of the Pacman and the 50 congressmen plus their respective entourages makes it hard for DOH to abide with its quarantine program, risking the health of Filipinos. There are at least 13 people in the Philippines who have been cleared after undergoing proper observation by DOH for possible swine flu infection. =0= (Photo Credit: CDC)

More Swine Flu Cases

Additional confirmed H1N1 flu cases have recently been disclosed in Japan (3), Australia (1), and Panama (1)

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Labels: CDC, congressmen, DOH, epidemic, H1N1 virus, Influenza, isolation, Manny Pacquiao, Pacman, quarantine, Swine flu, Totie Mesia, WHO

Filipinos take risk in allowing Pacquiao to go home early

5/08/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

"Better safe than sorry."

"A pound of prevention is greater than an ounce of cure."

This is in essence what the Department and Health (DOH) and World Health Organization (WHO) are telling the country when they advice Manny Pacquiao to postpone his triumphal return to Manila after his boxing victory in Las Vegas, Nevada.

But it appears, some people can’t be dissuaded until something horrible happens. If the Philippines need the proactive control against the H1N1 virus, it must be at this stage when no confirmed case has reached the country. But there are government leaders who don't believe so. The logistics of tackling a potential epidemic is hard and as a nation, Filipinos must cooperate.

I believe the risk of Pacquiao and the 50 congressmen who watched the boxing match in United States is small, but it’s there. There are more than 30 states affected by the swine flu. No one can quantify the exact chance that those who traveled in these places will bring the virus into the country. And no one is sure how the country will cope if the disease takes root among the people

Viruses are very tricky and we must respect them as they are. Health authorities are still on the process of learning about H1N1 flu which has the potential to cause widespread illness, overtax the ability of the health care workers to respond, dampen business, and cause economic hardship.

It’s the duty of the Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to inform Filipinos of the dangers of the swine infection. But it is the Filipino citizens' responsibility to take the needed precautions. This is not the time to joke around. The threat of the swine infection must be treated as a health issue and not as a political matter.

Being a pathologist, I believe keeping Pacquiao, his entourage, and the 50 congressmen out of the country for just a few more days and allow the viral incubation period to elapse is the best. Health and government authorities must not compromise. They have the power to impose mandatory isolation on these possible carriers to safeguard the health the population. So far, DOH looks after at least 3 people in the country who may harbor the disease.

In the excitement of having Manny come home, Filipinos must understand. Erring on the side of caution has strong merits. Diseases don’t discriminate whether someone is a hot-shot victorious boxer or an influential rich congressman who can afford a ringside ticket in Las Vegas. Contagion is something that everyone must take seriously. (Photo Credit: Lalechededios) =0=

RELATED BLOGS: "Wasteful RP Congress holiday after 50 representatives watched the Pacquiao-Hatton boxing match" Posted by mesiamd at 5/06/2009; "Quarantine of 3 possible Swine flu sufferers in Cebu" Posted by mesiamd at 5/06/2009; "May 2, 2009: Update of swine influenza; Hongkong reports its first case" Posted by mesiamd at 5/02/2009; “The march of the pig virus “ Posted by mesiamd at 4/28/2009; “Mexico’s new swine-avian-human flu worries health experts of global pandemic “ Posted by mesiamd at 4/25/2009

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Labels: "Pacman", boxing, DOH, epidemic, H1N1 virus, Health, Influenza, influenza virus, isolation, Pacman, Pacquio, quarantine, sports, Swine flu, Toti Mesia, WHO

UP Ibalon Bicol

Manny Pacquiao: a disappointing role model?

May 8, 2009: H1N1 flu update

Filipinos take risk in allowing Pacquiao to go home early

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