Social Distancing Isn't Working Out For Us. In Fact, The Whole Thing Is a Disaster

On March 12, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that Metro Manila would be in community quarantine for 30 days. The first day of the not-lockdown lockdown saw few people out and about in the city. But, it's the first workday after the announcement that's really worth seeing since it's a completely different situation altogether.

Sure, the concept of social distancing sounds simple enough. Try explaining it to Filipinos that line up by the hundreds to commute to work in crowded buses, trains, and jeeps. Suffice to say, social distancing is a privilege and it won't work in the Philippines. These photos from the first workday of community quarantine will show you just how (mostly) disastrous the whole thing is. 

At this point, it's clear coronavirus will inequally hit low-wage workers harder. Other countries are already moving to protect its citizens by calling for a mortgage and rent freeze for as long as 90 days. We'll just have to wait and see what the Philippine government's next move is.