©Lisa Marie David via Reuters
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What measures were implemented in your country to prevent the spread of coronavirus?
- How do you cope with the current pandemic?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- enhanced /en-HANST/
- enforcement /en-FAWRS-muhnt/
- impede /im-PEED/
- impose /im-POHZ/
- operational /op-uh-REY-shuh-nl/
[adjective] – better than before
The brand wants to create enhanced versions of their products.
[noun] – the process of making people obey a law or rule, or making a particular situation happen or be accepted
The citizens support the enforcement of the bill against racism.
[verb] – to slow something down or prevent an activity from making progress at its previous rate
Lack of doctors and nurses is impeding the country’s recovery from the pandemic.
[verb] – to establish something as a rule to be obeyed
The organization has imposed a new set of rules to prevent climate change.
[adjective] – able to function or be used
The newly established mall nearby is now operational.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The Philippines announced on Saturday, March 27, 2021, an enhanced community quarantine for Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces, as COVID-19 cases in the country continue to soar. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said that the procedures will apply to Metro Manila and four surrounding provinces (Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal). “This will go with intensified prevention, detection, isolation, tracing, and rehabilitation that we will monitor on a daily basis,” Roque said. The enforcement was caused by the country’s highest single-day COVID-19 cases record, which reached 9,839 on March 27. The lockdown started on March 29 and was initially planned to run until April 4, but President Rodrigo Duterte recently demanded an extension of at least one week to try to impede the soaring number of positive cases.
Enhanced community quarantine imposes a curfew from 6 p.m. until 5 a.m. Outdoor events that have more than 10 attendants are not allowed, and indoor functions must not let visitors outside the household join. Restaurants are still operational but only for take-out and delivery transactions. The Philippine National Police (PNP) also situated many officers in checkpoint areas. Vaccines against the virus are also currently being extended to medical frontliners.
Enhanced community quarantine imposes a curfew from 6 p.m. until 5 a.m. Outdoor events that have more than 10 attendants are not allowed, and indoor functions must not let visitors outside the household join. Restaurants are still operational but only for take-out and delivery transactions. The Philippine National Police (PNP) also situated many officers in checkpoint areas. Vaccines against the virus are also currently being extended to medical frontliners.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Why did the Philippines implement another lockdown in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces?
- What are the four surrounding provinces mentioned in the article?
- According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, what factors will the government consider and monitor during this enforcement?
- Why did President Rodrigo Duterte order a one-week extension of the lockdown?
- Aside from the earlier curfew, what are the other stricter measures imposed?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Would lockdowns help a country in recovering from a pandemic? Why or why not?
- After the medical frontliners, who do you think should be prioritized next for vaccines?
- In your opinion, what could be causing the soar in the Philippines’ COVID-19 cases?
- Aside from enforcing a lockdown, what do you think would help the Philippines recover from its soaring COVID-19 cases?
- If given a chance, would you enter the medical field to help other health workers combat diseases like this? Why or why not?