This is an objective comparison of how two Asia-Pacific countries have approached the coronavirus pandemic. The concept is not to find out which country has the highest productive strategy, but to know how we can and formulate the most effective anti-COVID-19 protocols.
Bloomfield attributed his good luck to rapid testing, tactile search and isolation, strict physical distance, clinical control of inflamed individuals, rigorous compliance with public aptitude guidelines, and transparent and normal public communication. “Everything at speed. The faster you can locate instances, isolate instances, and monitor your close contacts, the luckier you’ll be,” he said, introducing a joint WHO-China project report in February.
Dr Takeshi Kasai, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, provided technical advice, outbreak updates and threat assessments. “[The New Zealanders] took nothing for granted. They worked in combination to restrict and prevent COVID-19,” Kasai said. In a report published on its website, WHO noted that the New Zealand government “asked the entire population to join in a ‘five million team’ to their families, friends and neighbors.” »
The Ministry of Health and WHO have combined to keep the number of cases low and eliminate the virus at home. But they didn’t depend on this success. New Zealand remains alert. The government warned that the virus was still circulating around the world and that New Zealand had to work hard to prevent it from returning. They are willing to reintroduce measures if that is the case.
The Philippines, on the other hand, reacted sharply during the first phase of COVID-19. In a speech on March 11 in Malacaang, President Duterte told the audience: “I was told masyado naman takot crown na ito – you are too afraid of this coronavirus. Naniwala shovel kayo. In addition. Fools, don’t do it.” This was LENTEMENT to limit the travel of others from China, probably due to presidential considerations about Beijing’s alienation and considerations of the influx of thousands of Chinese citizens running in the online casino industry.
And then our public communication strategy on how to propagate COVID-19 was characterized more by jovial humor, never clear, never attractive. Surprisingly, the president asked citizens to disinfect their mask and hands with gasoline or diesel. As Dr. Tony Leachon, who pleaded with management about fitness reform measures prior to his dismissal, warned in an interview with CNN Philippines: “The Palace communication plan wants to change. [Presidential spokesman Harry Roque] is not in touch with reality. People die and lose hope.”
Effective communication and engagement with communities is essential if the government wants to perceive the scenario and get others to take action for their suitability and that of the network as a whole. But, instead of the inter-agency group of brokers, it’s Roque who sends us dead messages like “We beat up to the PREDICTION of the UP! We beat him! Congratulations, Philippines!”
Even now, with the country already with the highest number of cases in Southeast Asia, Roque still insists that the country is winning the COVID-19 war. His frivolous technique of publicly communicating a pandemic is incorrect and ultimately harmful. It deserves to be replaced by a committed communicator who can help us unite to fight the virus. The government will have to take the lead to be more serious, more selective and more disciplined in combating the spread of COVID-19.
Charlie A. Agatep is president and chief executive officer of Grupo Agatep, an independent marketing communications agency.
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