Lola, 70, sells goods on Manila streets amid COVID-19 threat

70-year-old woman continued to sell goods on the streets of Manila on Thursday despite being at high risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to a 24 Oras report by Ivan Mayrina, Lola Flora decided to keep selling so as not to burden her niece who lives in Bulacan.

“‘Yung tinitirhan ko sa Bulacan pamangkin ko e lagi sila nag-aaway mag asawa kaya magtitinda-tinda muna ko. ‘Para makatulong ka rin,’ sabi ng asawa, kaya umalis ako,” she said.

Lola Flora was among several Manila residents who defied the order to undergo a strict home quarantine in order to continue earning income.

“Okay lang po sa’kin [magtrabaho] kesa mamatay sa gutom na nakadilat,” tricycle driver Nognog said.

The volume of people at Pritil Market hampered efforts by the local government to disinfect surroundings amid the spread of COVID-19.

“Siguro hangga’t hindi sila nagkakasakit, hindi sila titigil e o hindi sila makikiisa. Ang problema natin, kapag ang isa nagkaroon, pasok sa pamilya, buong komunidad madadamay,” Erwin Terana of the Manila City Engineering Department said.

Barangay authorities have likewise been tireless in reminding their constituents to stay inside their homes, with some officials roaming the streets with a megaphone to warn residents against COVID-19.

Latest data show that there are 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the capital city as of Thursday.

In the entire Philippines, 217 people have already been infected while 17 have died. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News