The Press and COVID-19

On March 2019, there were already news that there was a strange dangerous virus causing death in Wuhan China. The World Health Organization (WHO) and medical agencies of all nations failed to act at once. By January 2020 COVID was all over the world. The 2020 WHO lockdown was sudden that it created fear and panic especially because:

1. In 2020 there was no known vaccine against it;
2. There was very little, confusing information which naturally frightened everyone.

In the 1980s there were already signs of viruses/germs running wild globally like HIV, Ebola, Avian Flu, African Swine flu, hoof mouth.

The Press compared COVID to the: 1. 1918-1922, Spanish Flu with U.S. alone having 2 million deaths, the most out of 22 million globally and; 2. The 14th century bubonic “black plague” which killed about 10% of the world’s population of that time.

I noticed the impact of COVID only this March 2023.

1. Airlines do not give newspapers during flights;
2. No newspaper racks in Hotel lobbies of Mcdonalds, Wendys, and pricey restaurants;
3. The national papers Chronicle, Star, Inquirer etc. had less supplements per issue while hotels do not put newspapers under room doors;
4. The papers are so emaciated that 2 weeks issues of 2023 Star equal one week issues in 2019 in weight;
5. Columnists appear only twice a week (In 1960s, Doroy Valencia Joe Guevarra of Manila Times, Doronila, I.P Soliongco of Chronicle) had columns everyday;
6. There are very very few investigative reports like that of Red Reyes;
7. There are less TV Ads;
8. Most TV ads before COVID-19 had Chris de Leon, Edu Manzano, Vilma Santos, Susan Roces, Gloria Romero the biggest “sikat” movie stars.

The Jan 2020-2023 lockdown made us stay at home. TV and radio were mostly re-runs. We suddenly discovered instant news, pictures, movies, TV series through the cellphone, tablet, laptop which were very accessible and up to date. After 3 years (2020-2023) we are now hooked to Apple, YouTube, Netflix, Tiktok, Radio, TV. The newspaper can no longer return to their former fame, glamour and wealth.