‘Don’t stigmatize COVID-19 positive family’

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Mayor Reynor Gonzales of Lambunao, Iloilo has appealed for understanding from his constituents to treat with empathy a family with six members stricken by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a more than 8-minute video address, Gonzalez said the family didn’t want to get infected and lost a loved one, to begin with.

“Don’t stigmatize them. They need your understanding and help,” he said.

Gonzales’ statement came in the heels of an incident where a stone was hurled at the Wong’s family abode in Lambunao.

The incident happened around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, April 3. The family earlier gave consent to name them.

For Gonzales, it was a brave act knowing that they could be subjected to discrimination.

Lambunao’s first COVID-19 patient expired on March 29 while being treated in a hospital in Iloilo City.

Gonzales said that the 70-year-old Dodoy Wong sought consultation on March 7. But he was not allowed to go home and was advised to be confined for mild pneumonia.

Twelve days later, he was allowed to go home. But on March 22, he again fell ill and was taken to the hospital. He was tested for possible COVID-19 infection which was confirmed by March 28.

The following day, Wong died.

On April 1, another family member, a 44-year old female, also tested positive for COVID-19.

Two days later, four more family members tested positive for the disease. They were asymptomatic and are in isolation.

For Gonzales, none of the Wongs wanted to get infected and lost a loved one.

“Wala ni sila naga-guwa-guwa sa ila balay” he said.

Addressing those who might be responsible for the stoning episode, “ang paghaboy sa ila sang bato will not change anything. Did it help you?” Gonzales said.

The Lambunao chief executive said that he talked to address fake news and unfounded fears in Lambunao.

He said he talked to the family and admired their bravery amid the situation they are in.

He also called on his constituents to take the COVID-19 seriously.

“Anyone could get infected – President, actors, politicians, young, old,” he said.

That’s why Gonzales said they have implemented several measures in Lambunao from restricting the plying of passenger motorcycles and tricycles to physical distancing and disinfecting the town.

 

NO SUSPECT YET

After receiving the report of the “stoning” incident, policemen stationed at a nearby quarantine control point immediately responded.

“But we did not catch the suspect,” Police Major Jogen Suegay, Lambunao police chief, said.

It was Gonzales who informed them of the incident.

Based on the initial investigation, the suspect/s could be onboard a motorcycle.

Subsequently, Gonzales and his son, Board Member Jason Gonzales, condemned the incident.

The older Gonzales appealed to those who know about the attack to help the police.

On his Facebook account, Jason expressed his disappointment about what happened.

“I condemn the stoning of the Wong family residence last night. They didn’t choose to get sick. Instead, they gave their consent to having their names published which helped allay the fears of the public about the 4 new cases of COVID19 infection in Lambunao. They don’t need stones. They need understanding and help.”

He added, “Lambunao, we are better than this. May this crisis bring out the best in us.”