via John Nicholeson Severa
“We nurture students with education while ensuring the schools are safe and have proper sanitation.”
This was the assurance of the Department of Education (DepEd) as they had released an advisory in which classes from October 13 to October 14 in the National Capital Region (NCR) were suspended in order to inspect the classrooms and sanitize the affected schools due to the immediate rise of influenza-like illness.
Based on the advisory, schools affected by this suspension must use this time to conduct safety inspection of facilities, buckle up for earthquake preparedness drills, carry on sanitation, and reinforce health and safety practices to every staff and students.
While this suspension is ongoing, the bureau pushed the schools to conduct the implementation of Alternative Delivery Modalities (ADM) to ensure the continuation of education.
Moreover, the Marikina City local government declared a separate health break by suspending the city’s face to face classes on the same date.
According to the Marikina local government, this suspension is a way of prioritizing the citizens' health.
“Ang hakbang na ito ay isang preemptive measure upang mapangalagaan ang kalusugan at kapakanan ng ating mga mag-aaral, guro, at kawani ng paaralan upang makaiwas sa pagkalat ng sakit at mabigyan ng pagkakataong makapagpahinga ang lahat,” the local government said in a post.
Influenza-like illness is a disease that produces the same medical diagnosis of possible influenza or another illness that has the same symptoms.
While these cases are on surge, those who present flu-like symptoms are urged to drink plenty of water, rest, stay at home, and seek professional help.
