In a span of two and a half hours, the internet has witnessed a thrilling saga, all thanks to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III who gave us quite the geometry refresher.
During a pre-State of the Nation Address forum, Sec. Duque announced that the country has flattened the curve since April―which baffled many, considering that the Philippines now has a total tally of 58,850 COVID-19 cases.
JUST IN: Health Secretary Francisco Duque III says the Philippines has flattened its COVID-19 curve since April. | @KAguilarINQ
Real-time updates on COVID-19 here: https://t.co/yjwBox8yLb pic.twitter.com/kufsM1hZgC
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 15, 2020
Senators, who seemed just as confused as the rest of social media, wasted no time to correct Duque. Sen. Miguel Zubiri could only say “OMG” (a mood), questioning the basis of the statement.
Sen. Migz Zubiri on statement of Health Sec. Francisco Duque III that PH has flattened its COVID-19 curve: OMG! Dear Secretary Duque, with all due respect, pls tell us what curve is flattening? | | @CMRamosINQ
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 15, 2020
“Is it the fact that the cases in April were at an average of two hundred a day as compared to the daily average of over a thousand cases today? Or is it the fact that we will soon be number one in South East Asia in terms covid cases?” he said.
Zubiri later apologized for his statements, reminding Duque that the latter’s statements should just stick with the facts.
Zubiri: I said he must be careful with his statements and just deal with the facts. I’m sure he is under a lot pressure plus the fact that a new member of the Cabinet tested positive for [COVID-19] is adding to that. | @CMRamosINQ
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 15, 2020
Enter Sen. Kiko Pangilinan who had something to say about the “otherworldly” statement.
Flattened the curve, daw?? Heto pa ang isang mukhang galing ata sa ibang planeta.
— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) July 15, 2020
Sen. Sonny Angara also chimed in, just as unconvinced, telling reporters that he would have believed Duque a few weeks ago when COVID-19 wards in hospitals were not as occupied.
Angara: There seem to be less people dying but cases seem to be on the up. The WHO said a few months ago that there can be no real solution if we are not candid enough to admit the true state of affairs. | @CMRamosINQ
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 15, 2020
The plot thickened as Duque later retracted his statement. In a series of tweets, he clarified that based on case doubling time, the curve was “bent,” not flattened as he’d initially said, in April after enhanced community quarantine was imposed in March.
Our case doubling time in April passed the 3 day doubling time mark; NOW, July 15 – it is at 8 days CDT (past the 7-day doubling time mark).
— Francisco T. Duque III (@SecDuque) July 15, 2020
This means we bent the curve in April after the March ECQ but we are seeing an increase in cases due to the expanded testing capacity and community transmission as we allow movement of people.
— Francisco T. Duque III (@SecDuque) July 15, 2020
To conclude this epic tale, we find Duque in his own redemption arc, admitting the curve was never flattened to begin with.
“Hindi naman talaga flattened [ang curve], ‘yun ‘yung gusto kong ilinaw. Lumiko lang. Nagkamali ako doon kaya ‘yun ang gusto kong linawin,” he said in an interview with Teleradyo.
Read more:
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Harry Roque’s advice amid 47,873 cases: “Sasayawan natin ang COVID-19”
Photo by United Nations COVID-19 Response/Unsplash