Following the call medical community’s call for timeout last August 2, 2020, representatives from various medical societies have been included in the technical panel for crafting the “whole of nation approach”. According to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, the inclusion of medical experts is due to the President listening to their sentiments. The expert panel is […]
The following article was penned by the Philippines’ Department of Education (DEPED) Secretary, Leonor Briones. In it, she relates some of the decisions the DEPED had to make during the pandemic. Briones cites the resumption of classes in many countries for pushing for the start of classes on August 24, 2020. She also explains how […]
In a press briefing yesterday, July 22, 2020, presidential spokesperson said that the Philippines’ capital may revert back to a stricter quarantine if coronavirus cases reach 85,000 by July 31. Under a stricter quarantine level, businesses can only operate up to 50% and limitations to transport services will continue. Editor’s Note: This is what happens when […]
In a press briefing held today, July 9, 2020, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that they could no longer see link of current infections to any positive case, which means that infections are coming from everywhere. Editor’s Note: Even as other countries are now focused on strengthening health care systems and jumpstarting economies, ours is […]
In this article by Ian Nicholas Cigaral for Philippine Star, he reports the data on the mobility of Filipinos during the community quarantine in the Philippines. Using mobility data collected by Google and Apple (this is collected from phones that had their location services turned on), Cigaral discovered that majority of Filipinos have opted to stay […]
The Philippines will soon be joining either Phase Two or Phase Three of the clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinovac Biotech. According to Science and Technology secretary Fortunato Dela Pena, the trials will likely begin September 2020. The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has recently approved the country’s participation in at least five […]
Yesterday, Independence Day, the front page of The Manila Times newspaper headlined a study from the University of the Philippines. It said: “Covid transmission significant – experts. 40,000 cases seen in June”. The “experts” advised not to lift the lockdown. For many, this news headline was the last thing they wanted to see. Instead of […]
4 June 2020 – Many countries around the world closed schools due to the current SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) pandemic. This was a logical response in the early days of the epidemic when there was a lack of data and many unknown variables concerning Covid-19. After the ensuing months of data collection and scientific evidence and analysis […]
In response to the June 5 taped address of Philippine Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, education secretary Leonor Briones released a statement today, June 8, 2020, confirming the postponement of face-to-face classes until a vaccine is available. Preparations for blended learning are currently underway and classes are still scheduled to start on August 24, 2020. As of […]
In this article for The Manila Times, author William Depasupil says that 78% of businesses affected by COVID-19 will remain closed for months, hence leading to the loss of some 3.9 million jobs. The figure included both local and overseas Filipino workers. Editor’s Note: Will the Philippines have the capacity to ensure that basic needs of the […]