A number of celebrities took to social media to air concerns for people who need to work despite the government’s directives to stay at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Known for her numerous humanitarian efforts, Kapamilya actress Angel Locsin once more used her voice to bring attention to the plight of ordinary people who are affected by the community quarantine.
In her Instagram post, Angel shared concerns about people who don’t have the privilege of working from home thus have no choice but to go outside for work.
She also gave suggestions for the government and employers on how they can help alleviate the apprehensions of the workers and be able to strictly follow the quarantine protocols.
‘Kung matitiyak lang po sana ng ating pamahalaan na may financial support para sa kanila, hindi nila kelangang sumugal sa labas. Malaking bagay din kung may temporary stop on amortizations and loans o kahit pagtanggal sa interest & penalties. Sana rin ay magbigay ng consideration ang mga kumpanya ng basic utilities like kuryente at tubig bilang kawang-gawa sa mga mahihirap na apektado ng dislocation sa trabaho. Sa mga companies na tumulong sa mga empleyado, sana bigyan po ng tax break para wag malubog ang mga kumpanya. And also, I hope Philhealth will shoulder treatment for those who have CoVid19.” she said.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9yaanSlsun/?igshid=1iqbsemgh9cxo
In her Instagram post, actress Rita Avila proposed a “lockdown” of paying utility bills in the meantime to aid those who will be most affected by the quarantine.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9tDVMgpSMb/
Kapuso star Kiray Celis meanwhile raised questions about workers who are not capable of working from home like ambulant vendors.
Yung mga nasa office, pwede magwork at home. Yung ibang trabaho, kahit hindi magwork.. bayad sila ngayong lockdown. Paano kaya yung mga taong nagtitinda ng taho? Ng binatog? Naglalako ng mga panlinis, pabango sa sasakyan? Paano yung mga nagtratrabaho sa lansangan? Paano kaya? 🙁
— Kiray Celis (@kiraycelis) March 15, 2020
Journalist Atom Araullo showed the pitiful situation of workers at the checkpoints entering NCR which defeated the purpose of quarantine and social distancing.
Checkpoint situation in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. Definitely not ideal for social distancing. Some people have been in line for 3 hours. Only 3 thermal scanners are being used here. pic.twitter.com/kltLTW0ZfD
— Atom Araullo (@atomaraullo) March 16, 2020
Musician Bullet Dumas on his tweet slammed the class divide being espoused by the “lockdown”. Dumas said while some people are worried about what TV series they will watch while on quarantine, there are people who are thinking where they will get their food the next day.
Lockdown and social distancing are for the middle and upper classes only. How about the lower class? We need mass testing. Akala ko ba ayaw natin sa elitista rule? Nag-aalala ka sa susunod mong tv series habang sila nag-aalala sa kakainin bukas.
Ah, wala daw namamatay sa gutom.
— Bullet Dumas (@bulletdumas) March 15, 2020
Film director Antoinette Jadaone shared the same thought as Dumas as she questioned the privileged views of some people with regards to social distancing. Jadaone argued that while social distancing can be easily followed by other people, there where those who weren’t given the privilege to do so.
Make no mistake about it: social distancing is a privilege. Kung kaya nating lumagi sa bahay, kumain pa rin nang tama, mag-Tiktok pa nga minsan, maswerte tayo. Ipagpasalamat natin ang pribilehiyong ito. Pero ganun na lang ba talaga? Pag okay tayo, okay na? Paano naman sila? https://t.co/EHBCKhDb7D
— Toñet (@tonetjadaone) March 16, 2020
For his part, Juan Miguel Severo called on the government to address the problem on congested checkpoints that defeated the quarantine measure. He also asked employers to give assistance through emergency allowance to their affected employees.
https://twitter.com/TheRainBro/status/1239368833015504896
With the community quarantine being enforced in the Metro, many workers shared apprehensions on how will they able to cope with it knowing they need to work to earn an income. While there are those who are capable of working from home, a sizeable workforce is under no work no pay scheme. And with people being restricted from getting outside they are worried where they will get their food during the quarantine period.
https://twitter.com/reianramos/status/1238837928266100738
Either they choose "Social Distancing or "No Work, No Pay" but like hello?? what is social distancing if wala naman silang sasahurin?? So they opt to work to serve their fvcking companies, fvcking capitalists. Srsly, no consideration at all?? Fvck you!! #MMQuarantine
ctto pic.twitter.com/4JvP0YzDNU
— lucky (@alexpolancos) March 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/anjjieyooo/status/1239412491429576706
