This is my contribution to the #wednesdaywalk Challenge this week hosted by 
I think I might be deviating too much from the stated guidelines of this Challenge for my post today. You see I am supposed to do a walk, anywhere, and take pictures along the way with a short write-up about the pictures taken. However, with the enhanced community quarantine in effect in our city, walking too far away from my home is not permitted. So for this edition, I have decided to surf the internet and let my fingers and computer do the walking. Today, I am featuring a walk across the different markets around my country, the Philippines, and show how social distancing is being managed by the local government units, which are tasked to implement this directive by the National Government.
Photo below shows a public market in Quezon City, Philippines. Photo dated April 12, 2020, Munoz Market.
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Photo below shows a public market in Cagayan de Oro City. Photo dated April 14, 2020 at the Cogon Market.
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At the Balintawak Market still in Quezon City, Philippines. Dateline March 28, 2020.
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Dateline April 5, 2020 at the Libertad Public Market in Bacolod City.
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All across the country, it seems the public markets are the main problem in enforcing social distancing. Requiring everyone to wear facial masks in the market is one thing. However, with the volume of traffic in and out of these markets, social distancing is another thing and becomes THE real challenge. People think that for as long as they have masks on they are safe. Far from that. An accidental bump from someone who earlier came into contact with an infected person can transmit the virus through their clothes. The money that circulates in the place, transferring from one hand to another, is a real and oftentimes forgotten source of infection. Even the food (to include vegetables, eggs, fruits) that is bought can have the virus on their surfaces and the mere touching of these can transfer the virus immediately.
I believe that the citizens should take it on themselves to cooperate with this directive. A strong information saturation drive on the dangers of not socially distancing is needed 24/7. But aside from this a successful implementation will also need a strong political will and resolve of all the city mayors who will not be afraid to apprehend those who do not follow. The picture below, although not in a public market, is an example of good social distancing in action.
Photo below shows queue for payment of electric power bills in Davao City at the Victoria Plaza. Photo dated April 12, 2020.