🛡️ Immunity pantry, heard immunity

In today's briefing, we're looking at a community pantry ripoff nobody seemed to have asked for and revisiting the government's "herd immunity" target to ask, is it still realistic?

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PHILSTAR.COM’S WEEKDAY NEWSLETTER Together with By Camille Diola Good morning. Today's briefing revisits the country's target to inoculate 70 million people by yearend and asks whether the promise is still realistic. We're also looking at a community pantry attempt nobody asked for.

1   Immunity pantry A little more than 284,000 individuals are fully vaccinated in the Philippines and while that figure may seem considerable, they could all gather as a herd with immunity at Rizal Park and there would still be enough space for everyone to do cartwheels. They comprise 0.26% of the population, a far cry from the government's targeted 70% of 70 million by December. Giphy What they're saying: Yet vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. at a virtual summit with business groups was still able to declare: "We are very confident that the country will be able to achieve herd containment within this year with the help of the private sector, with the inoculation of 50 to 70 million Filipinos." What they're not saying: That is doubtful at best unless the country figures out how to ramp up vaccinations from the current 30,000 to 575,000 every single day and vaccines are constantly supplied. What's next: Independent researchers find that there's no need to get 70 million people inoculated. If the distribution is strategic and targeted, a fully vaccinated population of 35 million should be enough to reach herd immunity. Will government listen?   2   Heard immunity Will two lawmakers with no medical background get away with the very public distribution of Ivermectin without a go-ahead by drug regulators for COVID-19? The STAR/Boy Santos What happened: Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta (Sagip party-list) and Rep. Michael Defensor (Anakalusugan party-list) led an Ivermectin giveaway event late last week. There, supposed medical practitioners scrawled away on pieces of paper to recommend Ivermectin to mostly low-income individuals without their names, signatures and PRC license numbers. Those who received the drugs were also asked to sign waivers. It was alarming to pharmacists and doctors associations. "It is clear that they used violative prescriptions... The patients would have no one to hold responsible if something adverse happens to them." — Philippine Pharmacists Association   "[Ivermectin] may not be prescribed by any physician outside the designated authorized hospitals. Its prescription as a prophylactic medicine against COVID-19 is strongly not advised." — Philippine Medical Association What's next: Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the FDA should look into the token prescriptions at Defensor's and Marcoleta's "ivermectin pantry." Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that what they did was "on its face" a violation, but he leaves it to enforcers to arrest them.

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HITTING THE MARKET ► Regions with high COVID-19 cases see biggest GDP drop in 2020 ► Inflation woes, slow vaccination trigger hot money exit in March ► Expensive meat, higher power bills seen keeping inflation beyond target in April ► Higher gold, copper prices lift Philex's earnings in Q1 ► With NCR Plus still on lockdown, Meralco extends 'no disconnection' policy until mid-May ► The market is seen to move sideways this week

IT SHOWS Ice in his veins Catch Philstar Home Base's latest episode: An interview with Filipino figure skater Michael Martinez who may have been on a prolonged hiatus, but he's not having any doubts over his chances of representing the Philippines again in 2022 Winter Olympics. So you won't break down, we break things down A new Filipino-language show to help you become less overwhelmed with constant breaking news alerts and false information on social media. “Anyare?” will walk audiences through the top news stories while keeping things light and easy to understand. Premieres tomorrow, May 4.

ELSEWHERE ON PHILSTAR.COM "All or nothing" policies in the West Philippine Sea dangerous and unproductive, Malacañang insists, as it faces heavy criticism for its stance toward China. President Duterte also said China is a "good friend" to whom the Philippines owes a debt of gratitude. But what exactly is a "friend"? China and Russia have stepped up "state-sponsored disinformation" campaigns denigrating Western-developed vaccines against COVID-19 while promoting their own, the European Union said. It's not just the kids. Distance learning is taking a toll on teachers' physical and mental health, a nationwide survey found. As the country's largest employer, the national government is being urged to launch a program that would regularize thousands of its longtime casual workers. Celebrities showed support for Bimby Aquino Yap after his interview videos with his mom Kris circulated on social media.   Tweet me your thoughts about today's START or pitch possible topics you'd like us to send out a briefing on. I'd be thrilled to hear from subscribers so don't be shy. 💭 To see the rest of our coverage, visit www.philstar.com. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe for free. You received this message because you signed up for Philstar.com's daily newsletter. If you no longer wish to receive our emails, unsubscribe here.