The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared the COVID-19 pandemic last 11 March 2020 and the world has never been the same ever since. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world to its knees: economies are down, countries are on lockdown, quarantines are enforced, and society has been crippled.

At the time of this writing, The Department of Health (DOH) reported 90 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the country total to 552. The death toll has risen to 35, while the number of patients who have recovered are now at 20 (Source: CNN Philippines, 24 March 2020, 4:00 p.m.).

At this point, it is imperative that we identify the little victories, gaps, and challenges to learn from this experience in order to move forward and resolve the health crisis.

• We cannot hide the information. Efficient and accurate communications is important in this aspect. Spreading of information and raising awareness about COVID-19 should be made available and accessible to the public. Regardless of the nation, religion or political beliefs, such critical information should not be kept from the public. The virus knows no barrier or regime. It is already here and we should be well-informed to, at least, mitigate the spread of this deadly virus.

• Strike fast and wide. National governments worldwide are working to implement sound policies and contingency plans in their territories as quickly as possible. Most of the affected countries have resorted to total lockdowns, curfews, and enforced quarantines. These are crucial actions taken to avoid further outbreak and spread of the virus.

• Identify the carriers of the virus, not just the sick and dying.  There are asymptomatic carriers of the virus. We can’t contain them due to the absence of mass testing. Apart from treating the virus, blocking the transmission of the virus should be prioritized. Too many people continue to go out initially because the statistics say that they only have a tiny chance to die from the disease, but they forget that they can contribute to the chain of transmission.

• The virus doesn’t discriminate. This is not a Chinese problem, nor an Italian problem, nor a South Korean one. We need to recognize that the virus does not carry any passport. This is a worldwide problem, and therefore requires a worldwide concerted approach to beat.

• Saving of resources and avoiding wastage. At the time of the pandemic, every resource count. We suddenly realize the scarcity of things around us: water, food, electricity, shelter, etc. We have suddenly realized the value of these essentials, and taking care of ourselves and our families. These realizations should be sustained and must go beyond the pandemic.

•  Push for a global organization that will lay the authority for handling the pandemic. Because the disease is worldwide, our response needs to address it on a worldwide scale as well, with more enforcing power. WHO must be given more power to work with national governments to help handle the situation around the world.

The world is still learning more about COVID-19 and how it affects people. At the moment, we are still navigating through the COVID-19 nightmare. We can only hope that the world will finally find a cure to save the whole of our human race.

As Bill Gates states, "We will see more pandemic threats". It is up to us humans to live and survive.