We have neglected PWDs in COVID-19 relief and preventive measures
By Michael Aboneka Jr: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a general approach regardless of the various categories of our population. The PWDS make up 26.5% of the general population (2014) and the blind 12.4% of the 26.5% PWDs who need specific interventions during this COVID-19 era. I have seen blind people suffering the wrath of the curfew enforcement with the enforcement agencies not considering their unique situations. Further, the educational messages making rounds on the media do not take care of the deaf as they have no sign-language interpreter and this therefore means that about are missing out on the message from the Ministry of Health. Secondly, I have seen that masks are now being distributed and most of them are one size fits all with elastics to which one will attach to their ears. How about those without ears, how will they use the general masks. A simple string mask will be befitting of this category, but has the Ministry thought about his? Further,