By Ambassador Babe Romualdez
This is probably the worst of times, but many of us believe that there will be light at the end of this tunnel. In fact, a number of encouraging news have been coming out. One of them is about this critically ill COVID-19 patient from California whose condition was deteriorating, but was able to recover when doctors used an experimental drug known as remdesivir – manufactured by Gilead Sciences – to treat her. Another promising drug is hydroxychloroquine used as far as 50 years ago to treat malaria. This drug has supposedly been used on several patients who contracted the coronavirus. They recovered after six days.
Gilead Sciences is known for its groundbreaking medicines for HIV and hepatitis C patients, and those in the medical community are not surprised that the California-based biotech company is at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19. Remdesivir was originally developed to combat the Ebola virus but has since shown promising results against the SARS coronavirus and the MERS coronavirus that have the same structural features as the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes the COVID-19.
Earlier this week, Massachusetts-based biotech company Moderna also launched the first human trials in Seattle for a vaccine to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. While the development of vaccines may take several years, scientists are fast-tracking the research using tried and tested, high-standard pre-existing technology knowing that they are racing against time.
German biotech company BioNTech has also partnered with pharma companies to develop a vaccine with trials set to be conducted in April. Meantime, a flu drug developed by a Japanese company reportedly shortens the period of illness for COVID-19 patients and helps the lungs function better, although there are reported side effects particularly on pregnant women.
A few days ago, my fellow ASEAN ambassadors in Washington, D.C. and I, as well as White House Deputy National Security Adviser Matt Pottinger and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia David Stilwell, had a teleconference with White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx to discuss ASEAN-US cooperation on the coronavirus pandemic.
According to Dr. Birx, the ASEAN region – specifically Singapore and Thailand – has medical supplies and tests to diagnose the coronavirus and fight its spread, and that based on available data, the US sees an outbreak “curve” of about 3-4 months. During the teleconference, I asked Dr. Birx if the US FDA could fast-track the drug that could cure the coronavirus. I was pleased to hear that President Trump has ordered the FDA to cut the red tape to a minimum for as long as it is safe.
One of the plans discussed and which I fully support is for US and ASEAN health ministers to conduct regular information exchanges considering that any potential breakthrough in terms of vaccine development to combat COVID-19 could possibly come from the United States.
The ASEAN ambassadors in Washington will continue to work with the White House task force on the exchange of information because now more than ever, governments need to work together.
Human interest stories are heartwarming, like this old man lining up at the grocery but could only afford a few items. When shoppers saw this, they donated some money so he could buy more – which only goes to show that during times like this, the best from people come out.
In the Philippines, the fight against COVID-19 is intensifying. Sec Teddyboy Locsin thanked the help and support from other governments specifically the US through the USAID that is providing P139 million ($2.7 million) to enhance the rapid and accurate detection of cases, provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and hygiene products for health workers and patients, and other strategies to combat the deadly virus. I spoke to White House National Security Council Senior Director for Asia Allison Hooker and expressed my sincere thanks for the assistance from the US, underscoring that no matter what, we will continue to work as strong allies and friends.
Big companies are stepping up like San Miguel Corp. that assured food production and converted a manufacturing facility to produce alcohol; the Lucio Tan Group is distributing thousands of masks, alcohol and bottled water for hospitals and frontliners; the SM Group allocated P100 million for masks and other PPEs for hospitals, and waived rent for mall tenants which the Ayala group, Robinsons and Megaworld are also doing. Senator Manny Pacquiao donated his personal funds to purchase 600,000 face masks for frontliners.
Mayors are showing effective leadership in this time of crisis, like Marcy Teodoro of Marikina who immediately set up disinfection tents and a laboratory testing center for COVID-19. Vico Sotto of Pasig is using drones to disinfect streets and public areas, while Isko Moreno of Manila ordered hotels and motels to provide free lodging to health workers. Joy Belmonte of Quezon City tapped a hotel to serve as a quarantine site and will deliver 400,000 food packs weekly.
Those who have nothing better to do than spread false stories especially with what the government is doing to enforce strict community quarantine should either “put up or shut up.” As Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan pointed out, now is not the time for finger-pointing and making unnecessary comments which are useless.
We may be in for a long ride, but as humans under one roof, we are all in this together. Whether you are a Muslim, Christian or of a different faith, we all worship the same God. Ultimately, faith is what will carry us through.
Editor’s Note: The article first appeared in the Philippine STAR on March 20, 2020.
