Watch out when vaccines arrive

By Ermin Garcia Jr.

 

AFTER almost a year of restrictions on our usual lifestyle, there’s nothing that feels better than to believe that a new life is dawning: hopefully less restrictions, people having more control of their lives, a robust economy that will restore livelihood for many.

We know that varied vaccines will expectedly be swarming our country by the second quarter. While many will opt to avail of it, there will be others who understandably will resist it out of fear and uncertainty about side effects of the largely untested vaccine.

So, here’s what to watch out for.

Those who opted to have the vaccine will expectedly be moving on without need for face masks or shields. Good for them. However, seeing more people walking around without face masks and shields can give those who have not been vaccinated for COVID-19 get the impression that COVID-19 has been beaten.  This perception could prompt them to leave their face masks and shields at home, too, making them very vulnerable to seeming asymptomatic but confirmed carriers in the crowd.

As Santa Claus lovers would love to sing, get used to these lyrics “You better watch out… you better not cry…so better wear those masks and shields or be sorry… because COVID-19 is still coming on you.”

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TESTING MENTAL AND EMOTIONS OF COPS. There was this news published last Wednesday in reaction to the gruesome twin murders in Paniqui, Tarlac perpetrated by an off-duty cop (a native of Urdaneta City) – “PNP mulls regular neuropsychiatric exams for cops” WHAT??

I have been under the impression that some regular tests are administered at least before a promotion is granted but it appears, our PNP has been negligent in this area. For PNP to still mull over it, reeks of insensitivity to the public outrage caused by the murders.  

It’s ironic that PNP requires tedious requirements for gun owners to apply and renew applications for license to own and possess firearms and permit to carry but doesn’t administer it to policemen who have been issued firearms, whether sidearms or long arms to help in the enforcement of laws. 

I had just taken the neuro test for the renewal of my two handguns and the test questions cited in the test validate responses to specific situations, the same situation that prompted the policeman to shoot the mother and son on instinct out of rage. 

So, wonder of all wonders, why aren’t our policemen who are given the license to shoot, main and kill in the performance of their duties not tested emotionally and mentally regularly? This policy of administering mental and emotional tests should be mandatory not only with each promotion but with each advance in years in the service.  

But what is even more urgent is to change the curriculum of training for recruits. Over the years, we’ve noted that many patrolmen (formerly P01s-PO2s) were caught in entrapment operations for extortion, drug abuse and homicide cases! Something is very wrong if new recruits view their badges as opportunities to exploit weaknesses of people whom they swore to protect and to serve.  

Hopefully, the assumption to the command post as provincial police director by P/Col. Ronald Gayo is timely. He says he’s a disciplinarian, strict and a straight shooter. He’s the doctor’s prescription for the day. I truly wish he’ll succeed in imbibing that discipline that he learned to adopt for himself, to the men and women in police uniform. 

To the men and women given the privilege to wear the badge that gives them authority to represent the law, indeed, much is expected – to be disciplined, courteous and respectful. 

Carry on Mr. Gayo!

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PANDEMIC PICK-UP LINES. On the lighter side of the quarantine and keeping up with the pandemic, it’s obvious that many men and women have been left to fantasizing, plotting and shoring enough nerves to go out and meet someone personally, not virtually, whom they have long admired or been attracted to.

I’d like to share an amusing article below sent out by Tinder Study.

“Due to nationwide lockdowns, more singletons than ever have turned to dating apps to seek a partner, often resorting to dodgy pick-up lines and dreadful jokes in the hopes of scoring themselves a date.

“But which one gives you the best chance of receiving a swipe right? Fortunately, ManySpins.com have done the research so you don’t have to! Using Tinder, they created identical profiles with different pick-up lines in each bio to see which has the highest success rate.

Here are some of their findings:

• 86% of people like when pick-up lines are used
• Cheesy pick-up lines are the best way to go, with 77% of people liking them
• Dirty pick-up lines are ruining your chances, with only 34% of people liking them
• Using the pick-up line “I’d say God bless you, but it looks like he already did” has the highest success rate out of all pick-up lines (80.4%)
• “Let’s have a who’s better in bed contest. I’m hoping to be a sore loser” was the pick-up line that led to the least success.

Here’s more (I leave the translation in the vernacular to you):

• 1. “I think I’ve seen you before. You look a lot like my next boyfriend /girlfriend.”
  2. “So, when our friends ask how we met, what are we going to tell them?”
  3. “You don’t know how many swipes it took to finally find you.”
  4. “Do you believe in love at first sight or should we match again?”
  5. “You know what would be great? Talking to you.”
  6. “Looking to spread love not germs.”
  7. “Cupid called, he wants my heart back”
  8. “On a scale of 1 to 10, you’re a 9 and I’m the 1 you lack.”
  9. “You wanna know what’s beautiful? Read the first word again.”
  10.  “Remember me? Oh, that’s right, I’ve met you only in my dreams.”

So take your pick…charm that woman or man of your fantasy with a pick-up line! Hahaha! Do make a mental note of what doesn’t work and tell us how that went!

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On a personal note:

1. The Malasiqui police chief finally removed those metal barriers that once served the control checkpoint in the early stages of the campaign vs. the pandemic. Thanks P/Maj. Ji, Hilario! You just prevented vehicular accidents from happening in the area, especially at night.

2. Our Sports Eye columnist Jess Garcia, a faithful devotee to Our Lady of Manaoag was close to tears when he was barred from entering the church on his birthday to give praise and thanks because he was past 66 years old! I can understand why if the church was full but the church wasn’t when he was prevented from entering. What difference could it have possibly made if a 55-year-old man and Jess at 75, both wearing face masks and shields entered a largely empty church to pray? The clergy is expected to comply with the established protocol inside churches, and that should be enough to keep parishioners safe who wish to pray inside. But to observe protocol in age to kneel and pray in one designated area?? Bishops should enunciate if, indeed, 67 years old men/women and older can no longer enter churches to pray.

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