©Pablo Barcelon via CNN Philippines
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What is your country’s current status in the ongoing pandemic?
- When was the last time you heard about COVID-19 news in the Philippines?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- permit /per-MIT/
- crucial /KROO-shuhl/
- severe /suh-VEER/
- shortage /SHAWR-tij/
- multiply /MUHL-tuh-plahy/
[verb] – to allow something
Smoking is not permitted in all areas of the establishment.
[adjective] – extremely important or necessary
Training is one of the most crucial parts of becoming a great athlete.
[adjective] – causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious
Many people suffer severe financial difficulties due to the lockdown.
[noun] – a situation in which there is not enough of something
The shortage in oil supply caused the increase in prices.
[verb] – to increase, or to increase something, very much in number
Research shows that bacteria multiply quickly in warm food.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has permitted the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and mayors to place the entire Metro Manila under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20, 2021, to fight the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in an announcement last July 30 that the decision was ‘painful’ but crucial. With regard to the financial support to affected residents and workers, Roque said that it would be “most likely, but will still seek confirmation.” The ongoing COVID-19 vaccinations in the capital, on the other hand, will continue, Roque clarified. Metro Manila mayors extremely agree with lockdown to avoid the further spread of the disease, especially with this severe kind. This would also help in preventing shortages in ICU beds and other hospital needs if the cases rise due to the variant.
The Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) explained that if health measures would not be strictly followed, the Delta variant could multiply Metro Manila’s daily new COVID-19 cases to up to 11,000 by the end of September. Under the ECQ, only the most needed shops and firms are allowed to operate, including hospitals, groceries, pharmacies, delivery services, some manufacturing companies, and business process outsourcing (BPO).
The Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) explained that if health measures would not be strictly followed, the Delta variant could multiply Metro Manila’s daily new COVID-19 cases to up to 11,000 by the end of September. Under the ECQ, only the most needed shops and firms are allowed to operate, including hospitals, groceries, pharmacies, delivery services, some manufacturing companies, and business process outsourcing (BPO).
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- When has the lockdown in Metro Manila started?
- What is the goal of the said lockdown, according to the article?
- What did Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque clarify about the ongoing COVID-19 vaccinations in the capital?
- If certain health measures are not strictly observed, up to how many daily cases could the capital record by the end of September?
- What essential shops and firms remain operational despite the lockdown?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What health measures has your country implemented to fight the coronavirus?
- What establishments remain closed in your area?
- How would you describe the Philippines’ response to the current pandemic?
- Do you believe that vaccines could fight the spread of the coronavirus?
- Do you agree that Metro Manila’s ongoing lockdown would decrease the COVID-19 cases in the capital? Why or why not?