Coronavirus in Pasay, Vilamor, Philippines

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Mar 18, 2020 Update

We Asked: What is currently happening with regard to the Coronavirus outbreak in your area? Please provide as much detail as possible. He replied...

Sheltering in place, no transportation is allowed. Last international flights leave today.

I decided to shelter in place.

The supermarket remains open earlier than we wake up until 8pm. Lines are long, but this place is so inefficient normally that this is not a huge change.

All the necessaries are still available, minus face masks and limited hand sanitizer.

How People are Coping

We Asked: How are people handling the situation in your area? He replied...

Filipinos? They are singing karaoke, making make shift swimming pools and setting up low stakes card games on their porches.

I chose to live in a poor area, in a nice apartment. There are tiny markets all over the place, and are my preference instead of the large crowded market.

Changing Conditions as coronavirus Spreads

We Asked: How has the situation changed as the Coronavirus has spread? He replied...

Nothing really changed until the lockdown. Lockdown means people are basically where they are now and that will not change.

Government Response

We Asked: Describe how the government of the country about which you are reporting is handling this situation. He replied...

Lockdown seems to be enforced efficiently, if a little haphazard at the beginning. The necessities and niceties: Water, Power, Markets and high speed internet still function well. I think this is a prudent step and is going as well as can be expected.

Government Response with Regard to Expats

We Asked: Describe how your home country's government has handled the outbreak situation with regards to its expatriate citizens. He replied...

Nothing as far as a I know. I think expats are always welcome back with a possible self-quarantine. But the last international flight leaves today (without me) so it does not matter much.

Supplies and Shortages

We Asked: Is there a shortage of supplies in your location? He replied...

Just masks and hand sanitizer. These masks: https://www.bkreader.com/2020/03/07/heres-a-diy-way-to-make-your-own-protective-face-mask/ can be readily made from available supplies. There is a link to making hand sanitize also. Remember soap works also.

Preparing for the Future

We Asked: What are you doing in terms of preparations in case the situation deteriorates in your location? He replied...

Bought 20 water cooler sized purified water containers. Three medium trash cans and 4 five gallon buckets to store non-potable water. Two 15kg packs of rice. Long term food, about $250 worth which is a huge amount in Philippines. Went to ATM for $2000 USD in cash. Downloaded entertainment in case internet goes down. Helped a few Filipinos with cash so they can prepare a bit without work. Plenty of butane for off-grid cooking Updated family abroad.

Lockdown & Passing the Time

We Asked: Are you staying home? If so, how are you passing the time? He replied...

Internet games, and have two Filipina staying with me.

Public Healthcare & Public Hospitals

We Asked: Are you enrolled in the public healthcare system where you live? Do you feel that the public hospitals are handling or preparing for the Coronavirus outbreak effectively? He replied...

N/A

Private Health Insurance & Private Hospitals

We Asked: Do you have private health insurance? If you have private insurance, does this give you access to private hospitals? Are private hospitals or clinics better prepared, less prepared, or the same? Please explain. He replied...

yes. Don't know

Hospital of Choice for Coronavirus Treatment

We Asked: Would you choose a public or private hospital if you needed treatment for Coronavirus? Why? If there is a specific hospital that you would go to in the event of severe illness? Which hospital and why? He replied...

No idea.

Returning Home

We Asked: Are you considering returning to your home country due to the Coronavirus? Would this be a temporary move or a permanent repatriation? Please explain. He replied...

Considered it. Not convinced America will handle this better. The flight is likely more dangerous than staying in place.

Advice for People Outside of Pasay, Vilamor, Philippines

We Asked: If you live in an area already heavily affected by coronavirus, what advice would you share with others elswhere in the world who may be facing the same challenges in the future. He replied...

Stay Home