Most of the parents, teachers and pupils are in favor of reopening schools
Most of the parents, teachers and pupils are in favor of reopening schools, according to a survey conducted by Save the Children.
Almost 58% of the children wish to go back to school in the second semester, while over 23 percent prefer to stick to the online format. The numbers of teachers and parents who would prefer restarting teaching in classrooms is even higher, of approximately 75%. Those interviewed also think that better hygiene and sanitary conditions are necessary, but also permanent medical assistance and avoiding crowds around the schools. The survey also brings up scenarios that could improve the educational process. The syllabus must be reviewed, only keeping what is essential. Support interventions are necessary, such as “School after school” for those who couldn’t manage to participate accordingly to the education online, as well as extending the classes for this school year. Those who have been questioned also answered what the government and Parliament shouldn’t do, in order not to harm education: not to close schools again, invest in gifted students and teachers but also in the infrastructure – these have been the main answers. The survey has been conducted online, in December, on 5,811 pupils, 1,734 parents and 648 teachers.
The fourth transport of anti-COVID vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech has arrived in Romania
The fourth transport of anti-COVID vaccine by Pfizer/BioNTech, of at least 150.000 doses, has been flown to Romania, on airports in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca and Timişoara. These doses are meant for the medical personnel and will be delivered to the regional centers in the country. The transport is insured by the producer company and the vaccines will be transported in safety conditions, in special containers with carbonic ice and air-proof foil. Today, the Head of the Department of Emergency Situations at Ministry of Internal Affairs, Raed Arafat, along with the board of this body has been vaccinated. Raed Arafat said that he wouldn’t recommend people to vaccinate had he not given this example.
Raed Arafat: This is a gesture of normality. We have taken a step now that we have been waiting for, I myself can tell you that I could hardly wait to be able to get vaccinated and I promised I would do so publicly and I did, to show one thing: what we recommend we do. We do not recommend people to get vaccinated if we ourselves don’t do it.
BOR and AOSR will be involved in the vaccination campaign
The Romanian Orthodox Church (BOR) has announced that it will get involved in the vaccination campaign against COVID-19. The institution will distribute leaflets about it in churches. Support for the vaccination also came yesterday from the Academy of Scientists in Romania (AOSR). Meanwhile, on Sunday, less than 3,000 new coronavirus cases were found, and the number of vaccinated people has risen to more than 108.000.
The Romanian Orthodox Church will distribute informative materials about the immunization, in a leaflet called “Vaccination against COVID-19 in Romania free, voluntary, safe”, Daniel, Romania’s Patriarch announced. AOSR also announced that it supports the national campaign of vaccination against COVID-19. The institution mentions that its members have been vaccinated and that others will get vaccinated the following days. Meanwhile, Romania has registered 3,082 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, and 15,800 tests have been performed, which means a rate of 19,5%. The highest number of infections was declared in Bucharest – 825. 90% of the Romanians who were infected recovered. 5.993 people have been vaccinated against the coronavirus in the last 24 hours. 38 adverse reactions have been declared but they were all common and minor. According to the authorities, the next phase of vaccination will begin at the end of this week. It will mainly address old people and those suffering from chronical illnesses.
Alexandra Ionita
