About POP!

POP! is INQUIRER.net’s premier pop culture channel, delivering the latest news in the realm of pop culture, internet culture, social issues, and everything fun, weird, and wired. It is also home to POP! Sessions and POP! Hangout,
OG online entertainment programs in the
Philippines (streaming since 2015).

As the go-to destination for all things ‘in the now’, POP! features and curates the best relevant content for its young audience. It is also a strong advocate of fairness and truth in storytelling.

POP! is operated by INQUIRER.net’s award-winning native advertising team, BrandRoom.

Contact Us

Email us at [email protected]

Address

MRP Building, Mola Corner Pasong Tirad Streets, Brgy La Paz, Makati City

Girl in a jacket

‘Seen this film before?’: Filipinos express concern, feel déjà vu over Mpox emergency and Taal smog

In a concerning turn of events, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox (monkeypox) a public health emergency of international concern just five days ago.

This declaration has heightened global anxiety, and recent developments in the Philippines are intensifying these fears. Bulkang Taal has begun releasing smog, causing widespread class suspensions in Cavite due to the potential health risks associated with the smog, especially for children and the elderly.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, issued a stern warning regarding the Mpox outbreak. He stated, “The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighbouring countries are very worrying. On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives.”

The simultaneous occurrence of Bulkang Taal’s smog release has led to public unease, reminiscent of the sequence of events leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the smog causing health advisories to be issued, such as avoiding outdoor activities, shutting doors and windows to keep out vog, wearing N95 masks, and staying hydrated, the public’s concern is palpable.

Social media has seen a surge of reactions, pointing out that everything that’s happening is familiar. One user tweeted, “Tapos may smog ulit ‘yung Taal magtitimpla na ba ulit ako ng Dalgona coffee????? What is this 2020 inception,” referencing the popular Dalgona coffee trend during the early days of the pandemic. Another user even remarked, “I’ve seen this film before,” capturing the eerie similarity to past events.

While some are taking to humor to cope with the situation, others are voicing serious concerns about the potential for another pandemic. “Please, not again huhu. Hopefully, we can get ahead of this disease faster than we did COVID and avoid another pandemic,” one user tweeted, reflecting the anxious sentiment that many are feeling.

“We are increasingly living a multihazard existence. Currently the hazards are volcanic smog & mpox. But it’s also habagat/typhoon season so interaction with a 3rd hazard is possible. Disaster governance mostly adopts a single-hazard view. Overhaul needed globally & locally,” another user tweeted.

Let’s hope this situation doesn’t escalate into another COVID-19 pandemic. It’s crucial that the government takes swift and effective action to address these emerging threats.

 

Other POP! stories that you might like:

Social media users weigh in on the live-action adaptation casting of Snow White

Newlyweds’ ‘unusual’ giveaway wins over the internet

‘We were not informed’: Olympians Finnegan and Malabuyo address absence from heroes’ welcome

Liam Payne faces backlash over ‘misogynistic’ comment about girlfriend’s outfit

Dottie Ardina’s viral video exposes lack of support for Filipino Olympic golfers

Tags:

Related Stories

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Popping on POP!