By Atty. Egay Uy
MAKING people internalize and comply with anti-covid restrictions and regulations as a way of life is indeed a challenging task. It is not because of a difficulty in interpreting the rules but in making people comply with regulations for the right reason, not for fear of apprehension.
Covid response regulations were crafted, and are continuously amended, to respond to current occurrences and situations. Going back to the basics, the reason is to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.
Law enforcement units, they are civilian, police, or the military, and health authorities, only have one thing in mind - contain the virus. Prevent it from spreading. In case we missed it, this is the reason those who are even suspected of being infected with the dreaded virus are isolated and treated until the virus dies. Others however are not as lucky or as healthy and end up six feet under the ground.
People who comply with even the simplest regulations only after being accosted or reminded are probably the most likely to attract corona. They usually act as if they, as some others would call them, are immortals, i.e., not afraid of viral transmission but of apprehension.
That would be a wrong proposition from whatever angle we may look at it. Obviously, complying with regulations will shield one from the viral transmission to him or to others from him. The presence of apprehending officers will never shield one from corona, but compliance will.
Our enemy is only one - the coronavirus in any form or of any variant. The enforcement units and personnel are our allies. They are there to ensure that we are shielded from corona that's why they keep on setting up checkpoints, inspecting businesses, roving in barangays, and continuously educating and reminding the public about health protocols and preventive measures.
They are there and they do that because they want us to stay healthy. And if we do stay healthy and have beaten the virus to the end, we all reap the sweetness of our normal lives and activities. Who would not want to do that?
Again, it is best to comply with regulations for the right reason, not for fear of apprehension. How many times do we have to say this?
