As of July 11, the OCTA Research recorded a 10.9% increase in COVID-19 positivity rate for Metro Manila. However, even without a direct concern to Palawan, the additional 10.9% increase remains detrimental to the approaching “full-blown” face-to-face classes eyed by the Department of Education (DepEd), spearheaded by the newly-elected Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, further agreed by her running mate and the present highest leader of the country, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
But with the existing persistent rise of cases and the approach of vaccine-hesitancy on the map, would it really be safe for students, majority who are minors and are more susceptible to the disease, alongside the endless commutes of the college students, to be exposed to such an environment that has the capability to kill once brought inside one’s immune system?
Given that in a two-year hiatus from the usual outdoor activities, people were mandatorily asked to stay at home to prevent the possible contraction of the said virus. However, some, even in the comfort of their homes, were still reached by COVID-19.
To conclude, it is true that even when a person maximizes their best efforts against the novel coronavirus, it seems inevitable to prevent.
Moreover, the upcoming 100% full implementation in-person classes backed by Vice President and DepEd Chief, Sara Duterte-Carpio and as disclosed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, this will mean the continuation of the commute scene in various transport places, scattered students all over the public places, and other movements that will only mean to one thing: anticipated and highly possible spike in the COVID-19 cases. In facing reality, I personally think that the presence of the coronavirus may likely be ever-present in the worldwide scene, potentially evolving into a flu virus that may remain endemic to some places.
Once we achieve a slow pace in the rising of ses, translating to few to zero cases daily, it would also be conventional to think about how we can teach these children that are bound to go back to school, on how the world may prevent another exposure to a pandemic that have not only cut lives, but have taken toll on the mental health of almost everyone.
As discussed before the former DepEd secretary, Leonor Briones, the department has established its aims to switch into two modes of learning for the upcoming school year: 1) Hyperflex/Hybrid – students will be asked to report to school depending on how many days for a week; 2) Blended Learning – students will also be asked to join online sessions, but will also experience asynchronous classes wherein they may also be asked to report to school for some activities, or that they will be asked to do quizzes on a distant setup.
However may be exciting to hear that after being robbed of two years, I stand to the idea that the government should initially inspect and cater plans on what they will do in case the spike of cases may come from the student population, given that they will be asked to be exposed to the public as they go and leave such educational institutions on a daily basis.
Another challenge adds up to the list of the president; to update, the COVID-19 weekly update from July 4 to July 10 consists of 10,271 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases wherein there are 27 new severe and critical patients due to the virus, about 555 hospital utilization cases who are all severe and in critical state during admission. Before another school year starts and on top of all the other big dilemmas of the country: how will we prevent another 2 years from going down the drain?
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