Page 48 - PowerPoint Presentation

First District Rally

Dr. Cheridine Oro-Josef, a Geriatric Medicine and minerals; get regular rest, and keep a
Specialist and a Family Physician, began the routine. She asked everyone to allow
lecture with an update regarding the SARS themselves to do something they enjoy each
COV 2 virus, its’ mode of transmission, and day. She also mentioned that regular exercise
case-fatality rates. Worldwide, there were could help relieve some symptoms of
already 22 million cases and more than 700 depression and stress. The highlight of her
thousand deaths, which account for a 1-2% lecture was the discussion on Mindfulness,
case fatality rate. In the Philippines, the which is a relaxation technique developed as a
numbers were also rising. Among those who cognitive behavior therapy to address mental
succumbed to the disease, 80-90% belong to health problems. She further elucidated that
the older population, ages 50 and above. The the regular practice of Mindfulness meditations
median age of those who have died was 51 yrs may delay the onset of dementia and other
old. She emphasized that within this age cognitive disorders.
group, there was 5x the global average case
fatality rate. She said that among the “Enjoy each moment, live mindfully.”
mitigation measures to decrease the Dr. Josef introduced a platform where Inner
transmission of the virus were physical Wheel Club members could get in touch with a
distancing, engineering, and administrative neurologist or psychiatrist. Mr. Jake Buniao,
controls, as well as the proper use of personal project head of Lingap- Diwa, a mental health
protective equipment such as masks and face program of Medichem, a division of United
shields. The use of rapid antibody tests and Laboratories, Inc, explained how the company
the RT-PCR swab test was discussed could link a patient to a doctor by calling their
extensively together with the progression and hotline. This program is available nationwide.
stages of the disease.
The participants asked a lot of questions after
The second part of the lecture focused on the the talk and commended the speakers for a
effects of the pandemic on mental health. Dr. timely and relevant topic.
Josef said that at the onset, people would
experience high levels of anxiety and worry. The host club, IWC Marikina, organized an
Some would be affected by long term anxiety online game, “Guess the Place,” to the delight
and depression. Those hospitalized for of the participants who willingly joined by
COVID19 or those people who tested positive encoding their guesses in the chatbox. Winners
for the virus yet asymptomatic and even received prizes. The Assistant District
those who have been quarantined were at risk Secretary Lorie Villame, also a Past President
for developing mental health problems. of IWC Marikina, delivered the closing
Health care workers were not spared of these remarks. A raffle game ensued. Prizes
mental health disorders. Dr. Josef further included a set of hand and dishwashing soap,
explained the different kinds of stresses and GCash, and beautiful hand-painted bags
elaborated on the differences between anxiety courtesy of the National President Pam de
and depression. Guzman and PDC Julie Malaya.

Lastly, she gave tips on how to handle stress The rally ended with the participants
and the need for physical and mental health. commenting on how they enjoyed the district
She encouraged everyone to eat properly, activity, albeit devoid of snacks and face-to-face
take immune system boosters like vitamins interaction. Everyone left with the take-home
point:

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