I’m three weeks into my restarted physical clinical practice. Always dressed in full PPE with a mask and shield, I initially was thinking maybe my outfit was overkill. Vaccines were starting to roll out and lockdowns were lifting. Maybe I can start relaxing my own paranoid safety measures too, right?

Then the numbers start climbing again. Data show it is definitely a resurgence. New COVID variants are popping up, one even originating from the Philippines. These while recipients of the COVID vaccines are giddily posting pictures of themselves getting the shot. Seems like it’s just a matter of time before this whole crazy ride blows over. And yet, reports are coming daily that it is still here and probably more infectious.

I saw my first case of sore eyes (conjunctivitis) again on March 13 in the clinic after an entire year of online consults since the country went on lockdown. It’s the kind of conjunctivitis that jolts an ophthalmologist because it could very well be COVID - a swollen red eye, tearing and not much discharge. While the patient denied having the usual symptoms of COVID - cough, fever, sore throat- I still had to inform him that his eye problem could be from the dreaded virus. He was shocked and couldn’t react. Took him a while to understand what I was telling him. I informed him that it could BE a run-of-the-mill viral sore eyes but it still was prudent to be extra careful.

I practically doused my slit lamp with alcohol after seeing him. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had come *this* close to COVID since deciding to avoid it at all costs from March 13, 2020.

ESPECIALLY if you and your family members have not been vaccinated, please don’t let your guard down! We are NOT SAFE yet. Always wash your hands, always wear a face mask and shield when outdoors and if possible, avoid interacting with people not from your own household. Let’s be responsible for each other because lives are at stake.