06 Hulyo 2021, Martes

In the news...

'Face-to-face classes soon'

"The President said he wanted our people to be vaccinated…as to how many, we are not yet sure," Presidential spokesman Herminio Roque Jr. said at a press briefing, may not take long before pilot face-to-face classes are held because of rising number of individuals who got vaccinated for COVID-19.

Roque said while President Rodrigo Duterte rejected holding of in-person classes because of  emergence of more transmissible COVID-19 variants, the setup would "not be the same forever."

He noted that Philippines has administered close to 12 million vaccine doses while some Metro Manila cities have given  first dose to 70 percent of their population.

"But with 12 million of our people being vaccinated and with... some cities of Metro Manila hitting 70, even 100 percent of their population being given first dose, let's say that it won't take long and it may be possible for us to have a pilot.

Let's just wait for vaccines to be administered," he added.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the President decided against  holding of pilot in-person classes because characteristics of the new COVID-19 variant are "very threatening."

Asked if the President is looking at specific numbers, Briones replied "It's hard to say I want 50 percent or 90 percent or 80 percent…those who will be excluded will be at  disadvantage.

That's why our proposal is to have  small pilot study so we can see how effective our health protocols are."

"But what's really scary in the new variant is unpredictable and this is being studied thoroughly.

I cannot speak for the President but that is his only condition – the safety of children and teachers involved in our educational program," she added.

President Duterte previously could not place  health of students at risk while  Philippines is still addressing the more transmissible COVID-19 variants.

The National Task Force against COVID-19 said as of 6 in the evening of July 4, 2021, a total of 11,708,029 doses have already been administered.

Of the figure, 8,839,124 individuals have received their first dose while 2,868,905 have completed required two doses.

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