Based on the article, trace the development of your thinking. Use the
graphic organizer below to jot down your initial and final perspectives
concerning other people's circumstances(we are not the virus article)​

❝WE ARE NOT THE VIRUS❞
‘Health workers speak to UNICEF about their struggles’
by Jacques Gimeno (May 19, 2020)
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Philippines in early March, people
started looking for answers.
In a country that has faced disease outbreaks, the sight of doctors and
nurses aiding the sick is comforting to many. It came as a surprise when some
people started to turn against frontline health workers shortly after the lockdown
in mid-March.
Reports of health workers being attacked became news, with many
experiencing eviction, ridicule, and harassment. Despite public adulation for their
heroic sacrifices, frontline health workers fear for their lives as the risk of
stigmatization weighs almost as heavy as their exposure to the virus.
It’s lonely in the front line
One of the first to provide support as COVID-19 broke, UNICEF responded
to requests from the Department of Health (DOH) and delivered tents to hospitals
to help manage the triage and isolation of suspected cases and to increase the
overall capacity for the response.
At Sta. Ana Hospital in the capital Manila, one of the government-run
hospitals that received a UNICEF tent, the medical staff say they’re fortunate
because the management provides living quarters and meals.
Being in the front line exposes them to immediate risks, so they’ve come to
rely on each other.
But when they find themselves alone at times, fear gets to them and hits
the hardest during end of shift.
“We face an internal struggle at the end of the day,” says Jose Karganilla, a
32-year-old nurse. “What if I get sick? I’m on my own.”
His colleague and friend, Patrick Tan, 31, believes the pandemic makes
some of them question why they do what they do. “Some of us struggle to accept
that we’re risking our lives,” he says as he weighs his next words. “We’re working
with one foot in the grave.”
Sanita Uy-Vistal, a laboratory scientist, praises her colleagues in the front
line. But she sometimes wishes they could get support, too.
“People always see doctors and nurses. They don’t see the lab scientist.
behind all this,” Sanita says. “We handle the specimen for testing which exposes
us to a greater risk.”
Finding the balance
With the number of cases increasing in the Philippines every day, DOH
says some 15,000 additional medical personnel are needed. Recently, the
government enacted the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, a law improving support
to health workers. The City of Manila followed suit with an ordinance prohibiting
discrimination against health workers.
Jose is thrilled about these developments but cautions that he and his
colleagues may be reaching the tipping point – physically and mentally.
“It’s not if, but when, we get sick. When I do, I hope I have enough strength
to fight for my own life,” Jose says.
For love of fellowmen and family
When asked why they continue to work despite the risks, they told UNICEF
the same thing. They’re serving in very trying times, but every patient they send
home alive and well far outweighs the negativity.
“Nursing isn’t just a profession, it’s a calling,” Patrick says. “My purpose is
to help people and my colleagues.”
Jose, Sanita and Sarah have been away from home since March. Their
families worry about the attacks and the news of over 1,000 medical personnel
sick with COVID-19.
“I’m very happy when a patient gets well. I tell them to hold their family
close, something I can’t do right now,” Jose says, apologizing for suddenly
breaking into tears.
UNICEF has been supporting the Government of the Philippines in its
COVID-19 response. To date, it has procured 72,000 sets of PPEs, 64
multi-purpose tents, and 200 mobile handwashing facilities to the Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). UNICEF has also been
providing technical assistance to the government in risk communication and
community engagement and in various training activities for the COVID-19
essential workforce, such as infection, prevention and control training for
community health workers reaching 2,800, and 719 health workers and sanitary
engineers and inspectors