By Nycel Jane Dela
I recently stumbled upon a photo of someone diagnosed with Mpox and honestly, it shook me. The lesions, the swelling, the raw pain in that person’s eyes. It wasn’t just disturbing; it was terrifying. I couldn’t help but think, “What if that were me?” You don’t wish it on anyone. And now, with confirmed Mpox cases in Iloilo, that fear feels even more real. It’s not just a news headline anymore. It’s right here, close to home.
As someone from Capiz, knowing that a nearby province already has a case makes me anxious. I can’t help but think of how easy it is for viruses to spread, especially with how often people travel for work, school, or even weekend errands. What used to be a quick trip to Iloilo now comes with a heavy sense of unease.
And while I’m not trying to sound alarmist, I think it’s fair to say that a lot of us are still emotionally bruised by what we went through during COVID. The masks, the lockdowns, the fear of touching anything or anyone. I don’t think the world is quite ready to relive that nightmare.
And yet, here we are, hearing the whisper of another possible outbreak.
Of course, we don’t know if Mpox will spread widely or if it’ll stay contained. But the fear is real. And if there’s anything COVID taught us, it’s that awareness matters. We need to start talking about Mpox now, and not when it’s already everywhere. We need to know how it spreads, how to protect ourselves, and what symptoms to watch for. Because unlike before, we can’t afford to be caught off guard again.
I know we are all tired, but we just want to live normally, travel freely, and hug our loved ones without hesitation. But maybe being aware doesn’t have to mean panic. Maybe it just means being cautious, staying informed, and caring enough about ourselves and others to take diseases like Mpox seriously even if we hope they never reach us.
So no, please. No more pandemics. Let’s not get to that point. Let’s start with awareness.
