By Alex P. Vidal
“News is what somebody somewhere wants to suppress; all the rest is advertising.”—Lord Northcliffe
CALLING some investigative journalists.
We are increasingly worried that because of the sustained and continuous media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020, all over relevant and head-turning issues in government like graft and corruption, oppression, abuse of power may have been swept under the rug if not totally forgotten.
There must also be a sustained vigilance and equal coverage of the other subject matters with compelling public interests.
News about the pandemic—how the local and national leadership painstakingly handle the campaign to vaccinate the vast majority of the population, what vaccine has arrived and will be used in the country, who are on the priority list, the protocols on wearing of a mask and social distancing, etcetera—has occupied almost all the media platforms in the kind of cohesion, alacrity and dispatch never been done in the history of media reportage.
So dense and urgent maybe the reports about the statistics and data of cases and casualties in the pandemic that some watchdog organizations have even lost track of the number of those victims of summary execution in the name of campaign against illegal drugs.
Except for the tumultuous stand-off in the West Philippine Sea between David and Goliath, no other regular stories as earthshaking as the COVID-19 mayhem has cascaded in the enclaves of major media outlets for quite a long time.
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While the public was mired on the horror and terror brought by the pandemic and nobody was watching, some cunning and dishonest public officials may have silently emptied the cookie jars and siphoned millions of pesos.
While public attention was heavily on the pandemic, crooks and their minions in government and may have laughed their way to the bank.
Before the horrifying pandemic, which has killed more than three million people worldwide as of the latest count came, stories about dishonesty and rapacious involving taxpayers’ money was still episodic.
The role of the media is critical in promoting good governance and controlling corruption, as World Bank’s Rick Stapenhurst had emphasized.
It not only raises public awareness about corruption, its causes, consequences and possible remedies but also investigates and reports incidences of corruption.
The effectiveness of the media, in turn, depends on access to information and freedom of expression, as well as a professional and ethical cadre of investigative journalists.
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An email from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo dated May 12, 2021, which he also shared to other New Yorkers:
Dear Alex, The COVID numbers continue to trend in the right direction. For the first time since November 15, COVID hospitalizations have dropped below 2,000. Our statewide positivity rate dropped to 1.10 percent—the lowest since October 17. On top of that, 50 percent of adult New Yorkers have completed their vaccine series. We are hitting critical milestones but we must keep up this progress in our fight against the virus.
Here’s what else you need to know tonight:
- COVID hospitalizations dropped to 1,928. Of the 165,892 tests reported yesterday, 1,830, or 1.10 percent, were positive. The 7-day average percent positivity was 1.28 percent. There were 463 patients in ICU yesterday, down 28 from the previous day. Of them, 270 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 26 New Yorkers to the virus.
- As of 11am this morning, 60.7 percent of adult New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 116,093 total doses have been administered. To date, New York administered 17,054,335 total doses with 50.0 percent of adult New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See additional data on the State’s Vaccine Tracker.
- In anticipation of Memorial Day, beaches and pools will operate with six-foot social distancing. That means more capacity for beachgoers and swimmers as we approach the summer. New York State’s goal is to reopen them to 100 percent capacity by July 4.
- Five new pop-up vaccination sites will open soon at public transit stations in the Buffalo and Niagara areas. The sites will welcome walk-ins on a first-come-first-serve basis and administer the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The NFTA will provide a free seven-day transit pass to people who get vaccinated at these sites. More details to come soon.
- For the first time in 105 years, fans can watch Major League Baseball in Buffalo. On June 1, the Toronto Blue Jays will play opening day at Sahlen Field (their temporary home) with a fully vaccinated fan section. Approximately 50 percent of the stadium’s available seating will be used for fully vaccinated fans (who will be seated normally), with the remainder of seats designated for unvaccinated fans (who will be socially distanced). This model will allow 2,000 additional fans to enjoy games in Buffalo. Sahlen Field will also serve as a free vaccination site for anyone going to the game who wants to get the vaccine.
Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: Artist Maya Lin has set up a new art installation in New York City to raise awareness about climate change. This “Ghost Forest” installation in Madison Square Park uses barren Atlantic White Cedar trees from the Pine Barrens to demonstrate how rising sea levels affect our forests. The otherworldly exhibit will be on display until November 14. Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo)
