Singer and comedian Gladys Gueverra also known as ‘Chuchay’ shared her thoughts on social media on why other celebrities are urging the government to perform mass testing in the country.
In Gueverra’s Facebook post, she questioned her fellow celebrities and other netizens were pushing for the ‘mass testing’ while, in reality, all COVID-19 vaccines were still on testing trials.
“Andaming artistang umaapela ng MASS TESTING. Opinyon ko to ha? Pwede mo ko sagutin kung mali ako. Naisip ko lang,” she said.
Gladys then stressed her points asking if what is the purpose of mass testing, where she sees it has no importance since there is still no vaccine available.
“Ano ba kase ang magagawa rin ng Mass testing? Matanong ko lang. eh kahit mag Mass testing, kung wala pa naiimbentong Vaccine, ano gagawin? Isusupot yung mga infected?”
She also used references from other countries’ condition specifically first world countries whose also having difficulty in fighting the said virus.
“I mean, diba? Ite-test mo lahat, para ano? Para lang malaman sino na mga infected? hala! Eh yung mga 1st world country nga di maapula yang lintek na virus na yan. Eh ano ga ang gagawin nila???? Diba? Ikaw palagay mo?”
“Baka ba pag nalaman natin kung sino mga infected, pwede na lumabas, tapos ihiwalay yung mga pila at nakalagay. Pila ng mga Infected at Pila ng hindi infected. Ganire ba? “
For Gueverra, Mass Testing will only result in loss of funds on the government, which could be of help to those who are in need.
“At pag nagpa MASS TESTING, maglalabas ulit ng malaking halaga ang gobyerno para sa kits? At maghihintay tayo ng matagal sa results? Imbes na yang pondo nakakatulong ngayon sa pagkain sa pangkalahatan, lalo mas mga nangangailangan? Diba? Gets nyo? Ako di ko gets. Kaya ko i-gets, pero parang d ko ma-gets. Gets?”
Her lengthy post received mixed reactions from the netizens telling her that Mass Testing is the ‘best solution’ as of the moment to fight the virus.
According to Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, when an epidemic of a communicable disease occurs, the best approach is for public health authorities to start early testing for it (2020).
This leads to quick identification of cases, rapid care for these individuals, and immediate isolation to prevent spread. Early testing also helps identify anyone who came into contact with infected people so that they can be treated quickly (Sanchez, E., 2020).
Even celebrities reacted when the government decided to lift the extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and other parts of the country with no mass testing conducted.
Angel Locsin recently revived fundraising for COVID-19 mass testing efforts.
Misquote lang ba to? Kasi hindi ako makapaniwalang hindi tayo nagpre-prepare for mass testing na kailangang-kailangan ngayon pic.twitter.com/PdOsgoAKP1
— Angel Locsin (@143redangel) May 18, 2020
TV Host Robi Domingo tweeted on what could happen after May 15 and even posted a photo of the Philippines’ curve which was nowhere near flat.
https://twitter.com/robertmarion/status/1258704899165978626?s=20
Atom Araullo raised some points of concern.
Here's what the gov't said about our testing program, it may ease your concerns.
— Atom Araullo (@atomaraullo) May 19, 2020
1. We cannot test everyone (not sure if anyone was asking for this, but yes, we get it).
2. In terms of positivity rate, we're doing good right now. Recommendation is 10% or below. We're at 6%.
MJ Felipe also stressed the importance of mass testing, contact tracing and prompt isolation of identified asymptomatic patients that could further prevent spread of viral disease.
We are not flattening the curve. Lifting the ECQ on the 15th will be a wrong move and will just infect more people. We really have to ramp up our mass testing, contact tracing and quarantine for asymptomatics.
— MJ Felipe (@mjfelipe) May 7, 2020
Marvin Agustin, Angelica Panganiban, Sam Concepcion, Ria Atayde, and other celebrities also shared on their respective social media accounts ask the government to do more mass testings.
Gladys Guevarra is a comedian and voice impersonator and a former Kapuso. She was also known for imitating the voices of Annabelle Rama and midget actress Mahal.
During her stint on GMA Network’s noontime show Eat Bulaga!, she rose to prominence. But then, she finally quit due to health reasons of scoliosis.
