Botswana
By: Oratile Adumeleng (CSRT 19-1)
The economy is reliant mostly on diamonds and tourism, but at the moment, the tourism industry is halted till further notice. Tourists have cancelled bookings and safari and wilderness businesses are winding down with staff is being retrenched due to low returns. The largest consumers of Botswana rough diamonds are US, India and China and these countries have been seriously hit by corona virus. The profits made by the diamond industry are now directed to fighting corona virus and other planned developments are being halted until the situation is under control. Currently, some of our borders are closed to inhibit the corona virus from entering our country. Thus some foreigners use ungazetted points to enter the country thereby exposing us to the virus as they are not tested upon official entry. Terrorists might see this as an opportunity to radicalize and cause more damage to the nation. This virus calls for collaboration of nations and continents as all are affected the same way. Together we can fight a good battle. ‘Remember that we can and we will make a difference, we just have to try’, wise words by Pete Gumataotao.
Nepal
There was one case traced infected COVID-19 and as of now no cases identified but government is taking serious action to make aware public and adopting preventive measures as prescribed by the WHO. Beside my Bde commander job, I am engaged in crisis management as an Admin Registrar in our military hospital and facilitating all medics/Drs and concerns on implementing preventive measures as instructed by the government. So far, we are safe and doing our level best from government level and of course as an organization, Nepali Army is taking lead and preparing to deal with the situation due to COVID-19. Lets hope we will be able to do the things in highest possible way as we foresee the situation.
Namaste, BG Prem Dhoj Adhikari.
Mabuhay from Manila
Rostum J. Baustista
We are on enhanced community quarantine, at least in the whole island of Luzon for two days now. A euphonious term for “lockdown” any which way one looks at it.
Hello to all our Friends in Hawaii! Mabuhay from Manila!
Just like in any other places on the planet now, we are on red alert level 2 because of the health emergency, worsening to pandemic and now turning to panic for many. The authorities have been always calming down the people here but access to movement, food and family from elsewhere is getting a bit hard. Good thing the internet world is still working without any cyber virus. Otherwise, panic would really envelope the whole international community.
We are on enhanced community quarantine, at least in the whole island of Luzon for two days now. A euphonious term for “lockdown” any which way one looks at it.
NO public transportation here. The whole outside world has come to a halt here in the Philippines. Groceries diminishing supplies because of the artificial shortage brought about by panic-buying. Alcohol depleted in almost all the groceries counter. Delivery of food supplies from the province is getting tight. We have yesterday’s bad news of an avian flu inflicting poultry farms in Nueva Ecija, some 100 kms away from Manila, that necessitated the forced killing of quail birds, which will surely affect the supply of quail eggs which has become a staple for sidewalk food for many Filipinos called “kwek-kwek”, that funny looking small eggs wrapped in orange-colored liquid dough and fried until cooked, dip in sweet and sour sauce, taste good and full of protein, now will become restricted for a while. Really felt bad because am a fun and fond of eating these small eggs. At least, the duck egg called “balut” is still on sale.
Increasing number of deaths, am sure, many have not reached yet the health authorities for reporting; a lot is scared of being infected, affected and impacted by this virulent virus in the recent past.
We hope and pray that USA would be just fine like the Philippines.
Until then, keep safe. Will keep you posted.
