As MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA) prepared for the official opening of classes on August 15, 2022, DOH Technical Advisory Group member Dr. Anna Ong-Lim emphasized the need to have zero close contacts to prevent outbreaks during in-person classes.
Dr. Ong-Lim, the Immediate Past President of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines and also a board member of the Philippine Pediatric Society, gave this assessment during the Ready or Not! Webinar by MGCNLCA held last August 3, 2022.
She expressed her satisfaction with the ongoing mask mandate and even mentioned the importance of students wearing two-layered masks—considering the transmissibility of the Omicron variant. Dr. Ong-Lim explained that wearing masks at all times is the only way to avoid being a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID. Likewise, physical distancing is essential when students are not wearing masks, especially during recess and lunch breaks.
However, Dr. Ong-Lim questioned, “Unang-una ang tanong, kailangan ba talagang mag recess?” to urge schools to reconsider having recess as meal time so that recess will not be a concerning space for transmission.
In addition, Dr. Anna remarked that ventilation plays an important role in preventing transmission during lunch breaks and recess, as lower carbon dioxide concentration will result in a decreased risk of spreading the disease. Opening windows and doors will also create a frequent exchange of air, reducing transmission. Furthermore, regular cleaning of surfaces and one's hands also play a role in mitigating the possibility of contracting COVID-19.
Other concerns raised during the conference included allergies, post-COVID symptoms, close contact quarantine, and reporting to school despite feeling sick. Being also a school board member, Dr. Ong-Lim encouraged parents and teachers to actively communicate their child/student’s health so that they can get the child tested for COVID-19, isolated, or approved to go to school.
Mr. Nicky Cawaon, the school security head, and Mr. Elmerson Miguel, the school’s health coordinator, were also both present in the Q&A held via Pigeonhole. The school will also be releasing an infographic regarding these questions on its Facebook page.
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