SOME selected PhD. Literature students in the University of San Jose-Recoletos Graduate School made a mini-descriptive online research on Covid using some perceptions of selected respondents.
The sources of data were interviews and existing information and documents. The purpose of the research was to provide some in-depth studies on Covid. The assignment was part of an introductory “course exposure” to research and will be followed by actual research in literature as a framework for their dissertations.
Here are the syntheses of the researches:
1. Rowena Egargo made an exploratory research on how the young students of Bukidnon State University, in Malaybalay City, coped with the Covid dilemma. The initial findings revealed that during the six-month duration of lockdown, selected young students, representing seven cultural tribes, had stress and related psychological strains, like fears, anxieties, among others. She recommended a more in-depth research on this topic.
2. Ferlie Soquino of Capiz State University, Roxas City, reviewed two articles on how the government has been working to prohibit Covid-related discrimination after two studies revealed some stigma-related experiences of a few Covid survivors.
3. Ruby Campus discovered some positive perspectives of Covid, using Sleigman’s positive modes of coping with crises. For instance because of the travel ban, NASA documented significant 20 to 30 percent reductions in air pollution. Furthermore, the useful contributions of technology like virtual communication and information, building relations in the families, healthy disposition among friends, were significant positive offshoots of Covid. The researcher believed that these positive lines do not compensate for the havoc and ill effects of Covid.
4. Lloyd Vincent Sasil of Cebu City showed the full virtual classroom and Open Distance Learning preparations and needed facilities of the University of Cebu, using selected teachers as respondents in all campuses of the school. Facing some initial constraints, the respondents suggested an in-depth evaluation of the impact of the online delivery system of learning outputs.
5. Leah A. Salloman of Tacloban City shared insights from a journalist, Patricia Cadanza, on stories of selected frontliners and their families, about their ordeals like fatigue, discrimination from a few neighbors, isolation from their homes, frustrations of seeing the deaths of their patients, but on top of these, their dedication and bravery, which kept the nurses, doctors and volunteers energetic. Every cured patient was for them a “priceless reward.”
6. Regina Via Garcia from Compostela Valley College, Davao de Oro, collated some information on the “Recoveries, Practices and Resolutions” in 11 municipalities in Davao de Oro taken from Facebook, websites and news. Data showed implementation of some restrictions of public gatherings in markets, and some proactive and reactive efforts of the government and families in coping with Department of Health (DOH) guidelines and prohibitions. She noted a few violations.
7. Gladys Pasanting discovered varied reactions of some selected respondents on a few published reports of the origin of Covid. The observations revealed how confusing the varied theories are and recommended that scientists or DOH come up with a more valid consolidated theory.
8. Robert Gie Pianar made an initial report on the implementation of Scan (Surveillance Contact Training, Analysis and Network) developed by Tacloban City to cope with the growing number of Covid cases. There were problems in the protocol and system implementation of Scan in Leyte Normal University, cited by selected faculty, administration and staff who recommended a more functional mechanics of implementation.
9. Glenda Abdul studied the perceptions of selected Tawi-Tawi natives on the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases health measures using the descriptive and quantitative tools. Findings found no significant differences on the natives’ acceptance of the wearing of face masks, social distancing, sanitizing schemes, among others. However, the study did not include whether the acceptance (strongly agree) and practice matched.
These readings served as “eye-openers” for more comprehensive studies on Covid.