More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government.
Remember all those stupid plastic barriers inside jeepeneys and other PUVs? You don't need a study to know that they did not prevent the spread of COVID-19 but here is a study anyway.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1163696 |
A recent study done by the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) found that less barriers in public transport actually reduce the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) transmission, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said.
"Results of the study show that the number of barriers and their arrangement greatly affect the airflow within these (public utility) vehicles. Barriers can be the seats with backrests, acetate or plastic barriers, and face shields, among others," he said in a taped report aired on Friday.The study was funded by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) and was conducted from May to October 2021.Led by Joel Maquiling of ADMU, the study aimed to identify significant risks of disease transmission among passengers of buses, Light Rail Transit (LRT), and Metro Rail Transit (MRT).To analyze the risks in public transport, the study team conducted 3D-simulations using a commuter bus, LRT2 and MRT configurations, according to de la Peña.The current LRT and MRT configurations, where seats are arranged at the sides and passengers face each other, are found to provide better airflow within the vehicle compared to the current commuter bus setup, he said.He said the research team noted the importance of wearing face masks that perfectly fit the face, instead of using barriers of any form, which could also trap viral loads of SARS-CoV-2.Results of the study may be used to guide pertinent government agencies and policy makers in designing and implementing policies and guidelines, the DOST chief said.
Barriers of any form can trap viral loads of COVID-19. Surely this information can be applied to all the other silly and ridiculous plastic barriers still hanging up in stores and banks and other places. They are useless and should come down.
In November 2021 the government pushed a three day nationwide vaccination drive. Now they want to make this a monthly event.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1531642/govt-plans-to-conduct-bayanihan-bakunahan-every-month |
The government is planning to make its nationwide vaccination drive against COVID-19 called “Bayanihan, Bakunahan,” which was originally held for three days, into a monthly event.
During Friday’s Laging Handa briefing, Presidential Adviser for COVID-19 Response Secretary Vince Dizon said the Bayanihan, Bakunahan will still continue, stressing the importance of intensifying mass inoculation as new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus seem to always emerge.
SARS-CoV-2 causes the serious respiratory ailment COVID-19.
(Yes, it will continue. We need to intensify our vaccination and we are planning to hold the program monthly.)
(You know the vaccination is continuous because experts said that COVID-19 mutates, it leads to various variants.)
Dizon is justifying vaccination because of the mutations and variants? Those variants and mutations are resistant to current vaccines! Not to mention the waning efficacy of the vaccine or the fact that they aren't really vaccine but experimental mRNA concoctions.
Thinking of visiting Manila's Dolomite Beach? You will need to book ahead online and bring your vaccination card.
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| https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/12/28/21/online-booking-vaxx-card-required-na-sa-dolomite-beach |
Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach reopened to the public this Tuesday, while many more are on vacation this holiday season.
But it's not like before that those who want to take a walk can just come in, because those who plan to go here have to make an online appointment.
There is a QR code that can be scanned and the booking page will appear which will also serve as contract tracing.
They will receive an email confirmation for their schedule, as they will only be given 1 hour to stay on the beach.
When 1 hour is over, it will be announced and everyone will be released at a separate designated exit.Only 300 guests are allowed per schedule to control the public.
That is why there are not too many visitors at this time compared to when it first opened which was crowded and physical distancing was no longer implemented.
11 years old or younger are also prohibited because they have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Walk-ins are allowed if you have not booked as long as you are vaccinated.
Who would want to go through all that hassle?
There has been a slight uptick in COVID cases recently. The reason is YOU!
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1163857 |
The slight increase in Metro Manila's Covid-19 positivity rate, average daily attack rate (ADAR), and reproduction rate was due to the holiday frenzy and not necessarily because of the Omicron variant, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said on Monday.
David said it is premature to say that the newest coronavirus variant had something to do with the spike in numbers.
Based on two-week growth rates (TWGR), David reported that the current reproduction number is at 0.85 percent while the ADAR in the National Capital Region (NCR) is at 0.82 percent.
The positivity rate slightly increased to 1.4 percent.
"(So we can't really say that it is Omicron-driven because we have seen this last year. The gatherings might have caused this, so we just really need to be extra careful)," he said in a media briefing.
Yes, it's YOU who are the problem with your holiday gatherings. Just stay home alone and do not have any family gatherings and the spread will stop. Really.
The Omicron variant is in the Philippines and the DOH says they are well prepared.
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| https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/12/28/2150543/doh-says-philippines-well-prepared-omicron-variant |
The Philippine government is “well-prepared” to combat the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which is threatening health systems overseas, the Department of Health said Tuesday.
The Philippines has so far detected four cases of the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant—all among international arrivals.
“Right now with this Omicron variant, I think we are well-prepared than before,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
“What will be the most critical factor right now would be a lot of our citizens are vaccinated now compared to when we’re having the Delta variant…Right now were are preparing. Hopefully, we are able to manage this increase in the number of cases if ever Omicron enters our communities,” she added.
Early studies suggest the Omicron variant is more infectious than the already transmissible Delta variant, which caused a devastating surge in the Philippines from August to September.
They don't say exactly how they are "well-prepared." I guess we'll just have to take their word.
If you have business at City Hall in Iloilo then you had better have gotten booster shots or you aren't getting in.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/29/no-entry-to-iloilo-city-hall-without-booster-shots/ |
With the threat of COVID-19’s Omicron variant, only those who have availed booster shots are allowed entry to Iloilo City Hall starting January 17, 2022.
Mayor Jerry Treñas announced that this requirement is both for City Hall employees and people who want to have transactions.
Treñas said that all those who want to enter the building have to present their COVID-19 Booster Cards.
Treñas’ announcement was also in a memo order issued by City Administrator Melchor Tan.
Iloilo City Hall is one of the few government buildings in the currently that currently only allows entry to fully vaccinated persons.
Guards do check COVID-19 vaccination cards of all persons trying to enter the Iloilo City Hall. This has been implemented by the Treñas administration since August 2, when the threat of the Delta variant became apparent.
While facing criticism for discriminatory act to the unvaccinated, Treñas is firm in implementing his plan next year.
Treñas assured that the city government will provide a space outside the City Hall so that the unvaccinated or those who have yet to get their booster shots can still conduct daily transactions.
It's a slippery slope of authoritarianism. First they force you to get two shots and now they changed the definition of being vaccinated and you are required to get a third shot. And who knows when it will stop?
Metro Manila is now seriously considering a vaccination mandate.
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| https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/816308/metro-manila-to-study-possible-covid-19-vaccine-mandate-abalos/story/ |
Metro Manila is set to study the implementation of COVID-19 vaccine mandate in the region, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Benhur Abalos said on Wednesday.
In a radio interview, Abalos said the Metro Manila Council, composed of the 17 mayors in the National Capital Region, approved a resolution creating a technical working group that will lead the study.
“Actually, approved na nga pala (It has already been approved actually),” he said.
(The resolution states that the Metro Manila Council together with the IATF will create a technical working group to look into the feasibility of having a vaccination mandate.)
Abalos said that the vaccination mandate means setting vaccination cards as a requirement for entering or visiting specific areas. He added that they will study its legality.
What about the ethicality of such a mandate? No one seems to think about how unethical its is to require someone get injected with an experimental drug in order to participate in society.
If you are planning on blowing a horn to celebrate New Years, you should really reconsider. It could be more deadly than a firecracker!
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1533251/still-risky-to-toot-your-way-to-22 |
“Torotot,’’ the toy trumpets or horns traditionally used as noisemakers to welcome the New Year, may turn out to be just as harmful as powerful firecrackers, with the coronavirus pandemic far from over and the Omicron variant posing a new threat.
Like in the first year of the pandemic, the Department of Health (DOH) advised the public to consider other ways of welcoming 2022 without the risk of injury or COVID-19 transmission.
Horns, trumpets or whistles can spread the virus through saliva and aerosols discharged into the air, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Tuesday.“We encourage everyone to use other noise and light producing devices or watch community firework displays,” Vergeire added.
To those who keep the tradition of welcoming the New Year on a booming note, authorities usually recommend banging pots or pans or playing loud music.
The DOH issued the reminder amid rising concerns over the Omicron variant, which is said to be more transmissible than the currently dominant Delta variant that has caused recent spikes in COVID-19 cases around the world.
Beat on pots and pans or play loud music all because of Omicron. With the rest of the world going back under lockdown because of Omicron it is very likely 2022 will see a return of lockdowns in the Philippines.
"Teach your children well," goes the old song but is this what was meant?
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1163885
Mayor Sara Z. Duterte has reminded parents anew to ensure that their children, especially those who have not yet received a vaccine against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), adhere to the minimum public health standards (MPHS) in public or crowded places and other gatherings.
In an interview Tuesday, Julie Christine Indoyon, a mother of two kids, said parents need to practice requiring their kids to wear face masks.
Indoyon admitted having a difficult time convincing her three-year-old to wear the protective gear at first.
“He was really hesitant to wear a face mask, knowing that he was still a child and found it uncomfortable. But I told him that if he will not use it, he will be arrested by the police. He then (got) used to it,” she told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
She also urged other parents to adhere to the MPHS for their family’s protection.
“Do not let your kids go out without their face masks on. It may be hard to convince them at first but eventually, they will understand and will get used to it,” Indoyon said in the vernacular.
On December 27, Duterte issued the reminder on observing the MPHS after the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force observed that many children were not wearing their face masks properly in crowded places over the weekend.
“Our reminders for the parents regarding the minimum public health standards – whatever applies to adults also applies to the children. The children, who often touch anything with their hands and loiter around, (it) is very important for them to get used to wearing the face mask," Duterte said in a radio interview.
However, she clarified that infants are exempted from the mandatory wearing of face masks as they might suffocate.
She also advised parents to train their children to wear face masks at home and explain to them why they have to do so.
“This will also serve as a practice for the children once schools resume the face-to-face classes in the future,” Duterte added.
Never mind that children are not at risk of catching COVID-19 and never mind that there is no scientific basis and never mind that having children wear masks is unhealthy. Never mind all that because the government has spoken. So scare your children with the threat of arrest and teach them well to be obedient slaves.
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