Schools have a new purpose in this pandemic
Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for Southeast Asia, said that to control and suppress the spread of the coronavirus disease “countries must continue to be bold, decisive, and mobilize the full power of their whole-of-government, whole-of-society approaches.”
A particular area the Philippines is struggling at is the allocation of healthcare facilities. We have had trouble with the lack of testing and treatment facilities as well as accommodation for suspected patients.
Be that as it may, the local government units (LGUs), private institutions, non-profit organizations (NGOs), and the Filipino citizens, in general, have been working hand in hand to address the issue along with the other negative impacts of the pandemic.
This month, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has partnered with the LGU of Manila and tapped De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) as well as other schools in the capital city to proffer an isolation facility for COVID-19 patients.
On April 14, Wednesday, PRC chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Senator Richard Gordon gave the announcement that unused schools will be turned into temporary quarantine areas for asymptomatic patients.
Schools have always been our second homes.
The campus has converted unused rooms to accommodate asymptomatic and mild patients unable to safely quarantine at their homes. This is done in close coordination with the experts from PRC, which manages the isolation facilities, to guarantee that strict health protocols and guidelines are observed daily.
The Benildean community is ensured that the campus is disinfected regularly. Thorough sanitation will be implemented to warrant the safety of personnel and partners once the initiative ends.
Education institutions have established a united front, contributing toward minimizing the transmission of the disease aligned with the efforts of PRC to prevent asymptomatic spreaders from infecting families at home.
Other educational institutions that serve as isolation facilities around Metro Manila are Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, De La Salle University (DLSU), Adamson University, and other elementary and high schools.