Is it flooding in Manila?
Unlike his predecessors who famously announced #WalangPasok (#NoClasses) mostly during times of typhoon, Manila mayor Isko Moreno has ordered the cancellation of classes from January 14 to 21 so that students and teachers can all take a “health break” — in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases in the metro.
While we could likely hear the collective cheers of students within the city, it seems that the mayor — who is also running for president — has valid cause to call off classes. The city of Manila recorded 3,128 active cases as of January 12.
“Wala pong pasok whether online or physical classes, all levels, para magka-health break naman ang lahat, mabawasan ang anxiety ng teachers. (There will be no classes, whether online or physical, in all levels, for everyone to have a health break, and to reduce teachers’ anxiety),” he said in a press conference.
The mayor added that this should give everyone an extra week to rest and recover.
Metro Manila has been at the brunt of a massive resurge of COVID-19 cases since the start of the year, with independent analytics group OCTA Research calling it a “severe outbreak.” The seven-day positivity rate in the metro — aka the percentage of people who test positive for COVID-19 — has increased to 48% as of Tuesday, the group said.
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