Governments around the world are implementing stay at home orders and other restrictions during a difficult time for countries both big and small. They’re asking residents to only venture outside for work and essential supplies. As a precaution to help slow the spread of the worldwide COVID 19 pandemic. Many are even asking that people don’t go outside without covering their faces with cloth masks to slow down the spread of disease. However, some governments are taking things to an entirely new level as they feel not enough is being done to stop the rampant virus.
This past week Rodrigo Duterte, the President of the Philippines, announced that local law enforcement officials now have the right to shoot anyone who violates the strict quarantine order that they have imposed on their residents. He made the announcement shortly after residents protested outside because they weren’t able to get the supplies they needed and felt it has been too difficult to get the supplies that they need to survive at home. The president was outraged that felt these people risked the lives of others by going outside.
Many people in the country have expressed their concern for the extreme shortage of supplies and the availability of getting what they need during the quarantine order. The current lockdown order only allows for one person of each household to go out at a time to purchase food and other basic necessities. Everyone who can is required to work from home and all schools have been forced to shut down. Banks and other financial institutions have also been required to close, making it nearly impossible for people even to get the money necessary to pay for food and other goods they need.
The president felt the “shoot to kill” order was the only way to get the point across to the people of his country that they need to stay home, to slow the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic. To date, the country has over 552 confirmed cases and 35 deaths, so they are working around the clock to slow the progression of the virus in their country before it’s too late.
It’s hard to determine what the best course of action is during this unprecedented time. With every government and politician having a different take on the issue, it can be hard to know what the best course of action is. Especially when things are changing so dramatically daily. The one thing that can’t be taken lightly is how many people have COVID-19 and are dying from the disease. Instead of threatening residents, governments should be working around the clock to help provide them with the very best care while making sure that everyone has access to the supplies they need to get through this in the comfort of their homes while staying healthy.
