So, do you really still want to go out for a “harmless” hang out with your friends now?

At a Geneva press conference on Friday, the World Health Organization warned the public about the acceleration of COVID-19, with sharp spikes in South Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. On Thursday, WHO recorded over 150,000 cases, which is the most number of cases reported in a day so far.

WHO director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the world is entering a “new and dangerous phase” with the pandemic. He acknowledged that people are becoming restless in quarantine and nations want to open the economy again. However, “the virus is still spreading fast, still deadly, and most people are still susceptible,” said Dr. Ghebreyesus.

Dr. Ghebreyesus urged everyone to continue social distancing, stay at home if they are feeling sick, keep covering their noses and mouths and keep cleaning their hands. He also told authorities to be vigilant with the basics: “Find, isolate, test and care for every case. Trace and quarantine every contact.”

“As the pandemic gathers pace, it is the most vulnerable who will suffer the most,” said Dr. Ghebreyesus. “We have a shared duty to prevent, detect and respond to transmission of COVID-19.”

Long story short: It’s in everybody’s best interest to continue avoiding gatherings and unfortunately that also includes barkada meet-ups (yes, really, no matter how much you miss them). Let’s all stick to Zoom hangs for now and keep calling on the government to enact effective strategies against fighting COVID-19.

Image created by Russell Tate via United Nations Global Call Out To Creatives

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