EDITORIAL - Shooting dogs still ridiculous

Dr. Alfredo Galaroza of the City Veterinary Office says we should not belittle the move of the mayor in ordering the shooting of all stray dogs at the south reclamation project for fear they may have eaten dead birds contaminated with bird flu.

We agree with Dr. Galaroza that everyone should support efforts by both government and non-government organizations in the fight against the dreaded bird flu but we do not go along with his idea that every measure, no matter how funny or trivial, should be considered.

The worst enemy of mankind is not disease but ignorance. That is why people like Dr. Galaroza, who we assume is consumed by a burning desire to serve mankind, must have taken up medicine - to be able to fight disease in a learned, scientific and medically appropriate way.

Because bird flu is threatening the world with a pandemic that experts fear could kill up to millions, scientists and world leaders are now working doubletime to find solutions to the emerging problem.

We are certain, however, that in all the laboratories and crisis rooms of the world, scientists and world leaders are not losing precious time and resources considering wacky ideas such as the one that our honorable mayor proposes.

What would happen if, in our panic, we consider each and every proposal pandered by every Tom, Dick and Harry, no matter how out-of-this-world or ridiculous, on the off-chance that it may solve the problem?

At the very least, it can make us lose valuable time, by distracting our focus from the really important things we need to do if we are to be prepared and ready. At worst, we shudder to think what can happen when we look up and realize we have been barking up the wrong tree.

We are sure Dr. Galaroza would understand what we are talking about if we insist it is very dangerous for a person to take just any medication for an ailment without first obtaining a prescription after due consultation with a licensed medical practitioner.

The mayor may be the father of the city, but he does not hold the answer to every problem that besets the metropolis and its people. On the matter of bird flu, the problem is best left to medical experts like Dr. Galaroza. So, for you doc, we are all ears. To politicians, sorry.