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Day in Life in a City with Low COVID
Day in Life in a City with Low COVID
Quick Editorial
Quick Editorial
Why the Philippines COVID-19 Response Can and Must Improve
Why the Philippines COVID-19 Response Can and Must Improve
The Philippines’ COVID-19 response is far from the best. Whether it is lockdown, cases, deaths, hospitalizations, and now, the COVID-19 vaccine, the Philippines has much to improve and is far from heading back to normal. The light at the end of the tunnel is barely a glitter and solutions provided by actual scientists and doctors are required to restart the engine.
The Philippines must provide the proper facilities to fight the virus-- in the hospital or not, make the right lockdown decisions when cases are rising, and buy effective vaccines, and ramp up vaccinations.
Despite this all, we must all remain vigilant to the news, science, guidelines, follow safety precautions, and get vaccinated once available to your group-- yes, no matter which vaccine, their efficacy, and where it was made.
All vaccines are effective and the goal always remains the same-- achieve herd immunity and go back to normal. If you are in the Philippines, stay home and follow safety precautions until cases are down and vaccinations are high, so that we can go back to normal.
Pandemic in Pictures
Pandemic in Pictures
The Latest in World News
The Latest in World News
Chinese Boats.....
Chinese Boats.....
Michael S.
Chinese vessels have been spotted in Philippine territory by Philippine sea patrollers in the past week. More than 200 ships were said to have been spotted in the West Philippine Sea.
This issue is due in fact to China's claim to the entire “South China Sea.” The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan are all allied against China’s dominion. Each country claims a specific section of the sea. However, China claims total control over said territory.
The Philippines have had court trials for this issue with the UN, such as notably the Hague Convention. Regardless, China had refused to attend these trials. In their defence, they follow a map dating back to the 20th century which has a border wherein China supposedly controls. This has become known as the “9-dash line.”
Now in 2021, Chinese ships continue to flock the seas -- giving warnings to any other countries who cross the waters. Recently, Pres. Duterte of the Philippines ordered Philippine vessels to patrol the waters. Although given a warning by Pres. Xi Jin Ping of China, Duterte refused to withdraw the ships.
On the 18th of May, China imposed a fishing ban which restricted any neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. As said by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs had said, “China cannot legally impose nor legally enforce such a moratorium in the West Philippine Sea.” The
Further updates will be given as this is an ongoing dispute.
Myanmar Coup Update
Myanmar Coup Update
Michael S.
As covered in the previous Myanmar coup article, the country has been undergoing a military seizure of power since the 1st of February, 2021.
To recall from the last coup article, Burma’s head of power issue has been ongoing since 1962. The nation had first been under military rule for quite a few decades until the democratic diplomat, Aung San Suu Kyi, fought for the freedom of the people. Now in 2021, the military had once again seized Ms. Suu Kyi and other parliament members. The country had also been detained in a nationwide lockdown.
After months of detainment, Suu Kyi made her first in-person court appearance last Monday, May 24. She is facing multiple charges which could cost her up to 14 years in prison. Prior to the hearing, she had only been communicating to others via her lawyers through video links.
Meanwhile in the streets of Burma, the resistance against the Myanmar military continues to grow and retaliate. As Suu Kyi said, “The NLD (National League for Democracy) was founded for the people and it will exist as long as those people are there.”
Fun
Fun
New Student Profile -- Michael Salvador
Emilio
How are you liking ISM, so far?
I haven’t been on campus yet but the faculty and the students seem nice, welcoming, and people are friendly. Teachers are open. It’s nice here.
Do you like your teachers?
I like all my teachers, especially Mr.Bizley because he’s always ecstatic and all of them teach on the strict-way. They are all fun but they still manage to get through with the lesson while not making it boring.
Are you finding the classes easy or hard?
I don’t think classes are too easy but I still manage to keep on top of the workload. I think it’s the right amount of work.
How would you compare ISM to your old school?
It’s very different. For starters, ISM has a different social environment. It’s more international and we’re using English to speak. My last school is Filipino so it’s a big change.
How do you find distance learning as a new student?
Since we have been on distance learning for a few months, I think I have adjusted to it. But, I’d still hope that we will be able to go back to campus soon.
Michael S., a new Grade 8 student this year.
What’s the hardest thing about distance learning for a new student like yourself?
I think it’s making friends, to be honest. You don’t really get to talk much, well, you can text, but there’s not really that face-to-face talking. Usually, you only talk when there is a group project needed to be discussed.
Do you prefer distance-learning over in-person learning?
I prefer in-person learning since I’ll be able to meet people face-to-face. With distance learning, it doesn’t feel good to be cramped in a chair the whole time.
If you had the opportunity to go back to your old school, would you? Why?
I would prefer to stay here [at ISM]. I’m not saying that my old school is worse, but there are more opportunities here especially since it’s more international.
COVID
COVID
Which COVID-19 vaccine is the best (most effective)?
Which COVID-19 vaccine is the best (most effective)?
COVID-19 is a worldwide pandemic that has stormed the world. Many vaccines against the Coronavirus have been developed and are still developing. I will be talking about the 3 main ones: Pfizer, Sputnik, and AstraZeneca. They are the most popular vaccines around the world and the most used. "All COVID-19 virus variants that have emerged so far do respond to the available approved vaccines," WHO European Regional Director Hans Kluge said Thursday at a news conference.
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, authorized by FDA, is 95% effective in preventing the COVID-19 virus with symptoms for people aged 16 and older. It is made by a German biotech company. It’s proved to be 100% effective so far in preventing COVID-19 with symptoms for people aged 12 to 15. It requires two injections given 21 days apart. The second dose of the vaccine can be given up to sex weeks to be injected.
Sputnik is also a popular COVID-19 vaccine. It is made in Russia and also delivered all across the world. The Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) have reported that the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine showed a 97.6% efficacy. Data from 3.8 million Russians who received both components of Sputnik V from 5 December last year to 31 March this year, as part of the mass-scale civil inoculation drive revealed an infection rate of 0.027% starting from the 35th day of administering the first dose.
The last vaccine is AstraZeneca. This vaccine, which is currently being distributed in the United Kingdom and other countries, is distinguished from some of its competitors by its lower cost. It's cheaper to make per dose, and it can be stored, transported, and handled in normal refrigeration for at least six months. AstraZeneca updated its data analysis of its Phase 3 trials in March, showing its vaccine to be 76% effective at reducing the risk of symptomatic disease 15 days or more after receiving the two doses, and 100% against severe disease.
Overall, Pfizer is the most popular and the most effective vaccine so far. It is most used in many countries around the world. Both Sputnik and AstraZeneca are well respected and are very effective vaccines as well. All 3 vaccines are better and some things than others and some have more severe reactions than others.
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