COVID-19 may be upon us, but there is nothing to fear, for in 2002-2004, the world was hit by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). SARS is caused by another kind of coronavirus, just like its other cousin, MERS-COV. As a result, coronaviruses are nothing new for us, for SARS and MERS-COV have already troubled the world, and we have overcome them.
However, unlike COVID-19, SARS was a more serious disease, but its spread could be more easily contained. Here’s how we at AHEAD coped with it, and how we are coping with COVID-19. After all, we will always remain AHEAD of all spanners in the works, even coronaviruses!
How We Coped With SARS
During the SARS epidemic, we at AHEAD proceeded with our reviews and tutorials as usual. At first, our management was expecting that students would be to worried to enroll for the college entrance test reviews. When review season came, it turned out that we had a steady stream of students enrolling.
This was because SARS, though serious, could be easily contained. Thus, we did not implement any safety measures at the time. Also, 12 out of the 14 people infected made a full recovery, for the Department of Health effectively contained the virus.
Also, there wasn’t any social media back then, so any fears present were not blown out of proportion. Then, it was harder to spread information, which made filtering any information much easier than today.
As a result, AHEAD continued to have a steady flow of reviewees because even though SARS was a serious illness, it was easily contained, and it was easy to filter out information since social media was not yet a thing.
How We Are Coping With COVID-19
However, this year, a more virulent coronavirus struck the Philippines. Sure, it is much milder than SARS was, but it spreads like mad. This is what causes people to fear. Also, social media allows easier access to information. Since in social media, ideas can spread like wildfire, it is much more difficult to monitor whether the news we receive is real or fake.
Dear parents and students, there is no need to fear! Here’s what we at AHEAD are doing in order to make sure that you will remain safe in spite of this new challenge:
- UV Care System
We will be using UV light-emitting devices to sterilize our classrooms before and after every review class. UV Care’s devices will keep our reviewees safe by killing 99.9% of germs, including COVID-19. - Temperature scanners
Upon arrival at the review venue, students will undergo temperature checks to ensure that no attendee is sick. Those with temperatures above 37C will be sent home to avoid the risk of infection. - Alcohol, soap and hand sanitizers
Alcohol, hand sanitizers and soap will also be made available to students for purposes of disinfection. They will be asked to wash their hands upon entering and exiting the review venue.
The Show Must Go On
Despite the threat of COVID-19, the College Entrance Tests will never be cancelled, merely postponed. So, as they say, “The Show must go on!”. As a result, we at AHEAD will carry on with our reviews. We have overcome SARS, so we can be sure that COVID-19 is just another obstacle we will pass by!