Three year post-lockdown plan

[earthdome]

On 4/30/2020 at 1:33 AM, GeoffH said:

I agree it's not viable to prolong lockdown in the Philippines for much longer (and not in most third world countries) but saying it's not possible in any country simply goes against the facts, some countries have economies strong enough to survive for a lot longer than that.

Its not whether the economy is strong enough but whether the dictator is strong enough. I bet a lockdown works perfectly in North Korea.

[GeoffH]

4 hours ago, earthdome said:

Its not whether the economy is strong enough but whether the dictator is strong enough. I bet a lockdown works perfectly in North Korea.

I have wondered if the reason that particular dictator is absent is Covid-19?  He appeared in a lot of publicity photos with military near him (most of them wearing masks) when he wasn't wearing a mask.  Just a thought...

[jimeve]

30 minutes ago, GeoffH said:

I have wondered if the reason that particular dictator is absent is Covid-19?  He appeared in a lot of publicity photos with military near him (most of them wearing masks) when he wasn't wearing a mask.  Just a thought...

Trying to get news out of North Korea, got more chance of getting blood out of a stone. 

Edited May 2, 2020 by jimeve

[Tommy T.]

1 hour ago, GeoffH said:

I have wondered if the reason that particular dictator is absent is Covid-19?  He appeared in a lot of publicity photos with military near him (most of them wearing masks) when he wasn't wearing a mask.  Just a thought...

 

37 minutes ago, jimeve said:

Trying to get news out of North Korea, got more chance of getting blood out of a stone. 

Lot's of rumours abound from: a botched cardio surgery, the virus or that he is simply hiding out until this has all passed... But a bit unlike him to be so quiet for so long, but not totally unheard of...

[Tommy T.]

Here is an opinion written by a school teacher somewhere in Phils... As you may remember, L, my partner, is a high school teacher here so sees a lot of information as it circulates. Although sometimes difficult to follow due to his English and also a bit rambling at times, all his main points seem fairly clear to me. I thought I would share this Filipino perspective regarding re-opening schools and for the near future:

Open Spolier to read

Spoiler

The Why’s of Not Starting the Classes for SY 2020-2021 come September after Lockdown is Lifted. 
by: (I deleted the teacher's name) , LPT MAED
May 1, 2020 10:30pm

    At this point in time its already been  reported in print and in media the possible reopening of classes this September 2020. Education experts , Analyst and Program planner probably thought that students should continue their education despite the havoc of covid-19, since there are other delivery modes the students can engage such as On-line  learning and Modular Approach. This is apart from conventional way teacher- student  encounter in classroom in which they want to customized in the coming days. This in a way can be considered a proactive engagements Deped has think about for learners provided that, it will observe and follow restrictions and recommendations of the IATF. There’s absolutely No wrong with what the Deped wants to undetake in coming up with the decision that will favor filipino learners, however there are major considerations that need to be strengthen and iron out if the latter will take into action. 
     Reports and litetature from the past conveyed the second wave of this pandemic rose at tremendous account after the lockdown was lifted. The spanish flu that happened sometime in 1918, killed and claimed roughly 500 million infected and 50 million death after the government decided to remove the quarantine which lasted in two years because of the collapsing economy and dying small and medium business enterprise. They never thought the boomerang effect of that pandemic is far worst than it was contained and manage at earlier onslaught. Where did it fail? Literatures will tell that the failure of different governments who suffered the most on a similar case like this pandemic was because of lack of vaccine or antidote yet, the people was allowed to go back as usual as normal. They rejoiced and did not undermine the fight is not yet over. The people was then too complacent that virus has no after effect when they’ve done major action like community quarantine and Lockdown, They clamoring they would rather die in pandemic than die in hunger. The chance of spreading then, the invisible enemy escalated in an unsuspected numbers, the infected individuals seem to come from different places and they are totally blind as to who are and who are not infected that flu, suprisingly it led the country’s to its worst scenario and unimaginable case. as the saying goes, History repeats itself, is that so?!!.

     While it holds true , we need to move and do something for our learners to continue their education, the question probably is How safe it is for our students to take the “ new normal”? How realistic it is in our own set-up? and Do we
really need to push through this  in expense of our HEALTH? yes, we deem it much to educate and constantly remind them on the threat of covid pandemic, It has affected a lot globally, people from all walks of life have shared in one way or another means to help in lessening the impact it has brought in All aspects of Human endeavour. How we can combat and win against it, is still punch to the moon, the only advantage probably we have at hand is the combined effort of all experts to finally produced the needed serum to STOP this menace and Enlighten them on the cause and danger we face amidst this horrific pathogen. Unfortunately the numbers don’t lie we are closed to 10,000 cases in less than 2 months considering the drastic measures the government has put in place;  logistics, mitigations, preventive steps and best practices among others. The government has even created Team of experts (IATF) to follow, monitor, guide and assess the situation in every small area and the country at large. Still,  the number spike  in an alarming level. From that point of view, when everything is under controlled, monitored and carefully assessed and planned What do you expect will happen when we loosen the grip and removed the valve that controls it. World Health Organization (WHO) stress that the virus grows exponentially that makes it hard to contained and managed. We may have done risk assessment in all potential area this virus might multiply but still the aftermath is worst than we can think and imagine. In addition, Are our people ready and serious about the way we want to eradicate this virus?  News report will give you an answer to that. 

     So, How is this scenario affects our learners? 

     Supposed the school year starts at September (take note still by that time vaccine is far at hand) how will everyone be safeguarded when all of them plunked at the gate of our school excited and eager to meet and greet old and new pal, how will social distancing be observed?,  let’s be realistic in the public school - we know the attitude and the discipline we have with them, take in consideration also, these students come from different places in which we don’t know how high is the possibility they would acquire the virus moving from place to place. Despite the repeated pronouncement to sanitize, wash hands regularly and wear fasemask within the school premises -  do you think it will be fairly observed? in canteen, hall way, library, school ground and most of all in every CLASSROOM. Are the man power in the school enough to maneuver students to do physical distancing?, The call to decongest each class by 20 student per class is a wishful thinking considering the number of classroom and teacher ratio to students. Every start of the school its has been a long and winding road to be comfronted with this problems again and again. Now, lets talk about the On-line teaching , The government may be fair enough to think of this delivery mode, but the question is, will the government provide internet access across  the 17 regions and with 27.2 million  students ( as of 2019) in the basic education curriculum?  Even without this pandemic it has been a perennial issue, so how come this will not surface as an outright problem?! especially now we are in the transition period to the New Normal. Let’s face it, not everyone is economically blessed to have computer with internet access at home, ordinary household may not think of this as a priority. An average  filipino household might prioritize more on food, electricity, water and shelter. If this is the case students might considering going out in computer shop to work and do some stuffs in school, again the chances of acquiring the virus is next to possibility. If everyone gets infected and it becomes uncontrollable would this give justice to the family when the health has been compromised? Would the learning then equalize the lost of health or worst the lost of life simply because we “NEED TO EDUCATE THEM”.. 

     Its not that we are not in FAVOR in opening the school come this September but are we  ready to face the consequence when this virus blow out of proportion?, what we looking at are the CHANCES, POSSIBILITIES or the PERCENTAGE, we are ALL put in danger. We can’t be in NEW NORMAL unless the virus can be contained and every individual has the capacity to protect themselves - its only and when this vaccine is available for everyones’ consumption and that we can live at far from worries that one day noone of our family member will join the statistics of fatalities. In times of war, we don’t entertain the idea that we should have this and that. We do not accept that rights has been violated, when what you think of is for the good of everyone.What  we are after is our protection at all cause. Its a game of SURVIVAL. Our goal is to reach the end of the tunnel with sound mind and body?!, What matter is our HEALTH and its fair enough to think that this is the only thing that matter to us. We can adjust everything for our own good and use it for our advantage. BUT you cant do anything when you’re just lying in bed battling for your life and HOPE that the next day will be a better day. We MUST have a collective effort to fight and eliminate this virus. If it takes sacrifice for some of the things we enjoy at the moment then that  will be the RIGHT and BEST decision for all. At the moment each family member specially in the lower and middle class is finding ways how to they can survive everyday given the limited capacity and resources at hand. Yes education
is important, BUT not as important when stomach is competing with brain for sustainance and nourishment. Majority of family now is in neck to neck situation. from walking kilometers due to hampered transportation just to reach the market and buy essential goods, or in drugstore to buy maintainance medicine, much more in groceries to buy basic goods but to be able to do that you need to line up and consume hours after hours to comply to physical distancing, Blessed are those above income earners when they have money to spend, but to think those who  are in the middle and lower income earner, the no work no pay household apart - from finding means to have money to spend, the latter adds to the challenges they must take on. If government is true to its mandate to make education a priority TO ALL, and  that no child will be left behind - then, they should lay down first the Foundation, the mechanics and machinery needed to make it accessible, affordable and attainable for ALL learners. Its should not be SELF-SERVING and limited to FEW. In its implementations it should not benefit some while others are deprived, Otherwise ordinary people will not make education a priority. These are essentials points in meeting of the minds. PRODUCED FIRST THE VACCINE BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE. 
     To summon we are all in state of calamity, We are in state War, we need each other for our continous existence and lean on everyone strength. We are uncertain as to how long will it last, and how far we can stand figthing for our LIFE and our RIGHT to live. Nevertheless, just believe it will soon end and can God who is the source of all , will be in our favor.

 

[Jollygoodfellow]

11 hours ago, jimeve said:

Trying to get news out of North Korea, got more chance of getting blood out of a stone. 

 

 Maybe out and about again 

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/world/736521/north-korea-state-media-reports-kim-jong-un-appearance-amid-rumors-about-his-health/story/

 

[Dave Hounddriver]

On 4/29/2020 at 4:48 PM, Dave Hounddriver said:

We do not know ALL the consequences of shutting all over 65s in their homes with no timetable to let them out but that didn't stop anybody. 

This doctor explains how a lockdown will kill us

 

 

[AusExpat]

My girl needs to go see her specialist, but the Hospital is closed except for the emergency section aand they can't help, she needs a specialist, preferrably one with access to her records.

So she's in pain for 2 weeks now.

How many other people have died or are suffering from this BS?

[Jack Peterson]

56 minutes ago, AusExpat said:

t the Hospital is closed except for the emergency section aand they can't help,

 

56 minutes ago, AusExpat said:

So she's in pain for 2 weeks now.

 Well to me and my Wife, anyone that has been in pain for 2 weeks with a known problem surely is in need of Emergency Treatment,

 For me, I would get her to the Hospital A&E ASAP. The Triage team will soon sort it  Have you reported this to the Barangay? 

[Tommy T.]

 

21 hours ago, Tommy T. said:

Here is an opinion written by a school teacher somewhere in Phils

Thanks, @Jollygoodfellow, for hiding that long quote for me.