COMMUNITIES
The communities wherein survey, interviews, vlogs, and blogs are based are available on this page. This will give you more information about the places, the people living in it, and its current state regarding the mask usage issues respectively.
How to Teach Your Kids to Mask-Up
Rojhan William Homoc
MASK-UP
BLOG
by Rojhan William Homoc
In these times when Covid-19 virus’ transmission is tremendous and spreading like a rapid-fire, kids who were not taught about the proper use of facemask are the most vulnerable.
Covid-19 is transmissible to all people, regardless of their age, when they breathe, talk, cough or sneeze. As of January 7, 2022, the virus have already killed 5, 488, 485 people worldwide. In the Philippines, the total number of Covid-19 deaths is 51,743 and about more than 400 children are among it.
The best way we can stop it from spreading is by putting our “mask-up.” “Mask-up” is a term our organization coined to portray the proper use of facemask. It is the wearing of it that covers one’s chin up to his nose. Below are some tips we provided for you to teach your kids how to mask-up:
1. Know who to wear – It is important to take note that only those who ages 2 years old and above are the ones allowed to wear a facemask. It is because the younger than them might have suffocation incidences when wearing one. Aside from that, people who also has physical and/or mental disabilities and cannot wear their mask by themselves shall also be guided accordingly in wearing their mask.
2. Be the model: Wear yours! - Children are very observant. They imitate the behaviors they see from adults around them. As parents, we should be the first to put our mask on if we want our children to do the same. By doing this, we should also make sure that we wear it properly so children will see the correct practice.
3. Choose a variety of kiddie masks – When buying a mask, we can choose those that have colorful prints that attract children. If there are masks that has superheroes or cartoon prints, much better. When children see these, they can get more interested in wearing one.
4. Make it fun – Children learn by playing, so if we want them to better understand the proper use of mask, we can engage them in role-playing activities. These are some of it:
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Have them hold and play with a toy when we are putting their mask on them.
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Put face mask on their favorite stuff toys.
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Create a simple jingle song that you can sing together when wearing a mask.
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Tell them that when they wear their face mask they are like superheroes because they can save lives.
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Show them videos online that teaches kids to wear a mask in a fun way.
Remember, while doing these activities we should listen to how our kids react on it so we can better understand how they feel about the mask and your current situations in pandemic, so we can assess their needs and engage them on meaningful and easing conversation.
5. Choose simple words – For children to catch-up the process of wearing a mask, we should make it simple and very easy to follow. We can do this by choosing simple words in talking with them. Here are some that we can say to them:
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“Mask-up” or “Mask on”
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“Wash your hands always before wearing your mask.”
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“Wash your hands always before removing your mask.”
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“Don’t touch your face.”
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“Don’t touch the part of your mask that covers your face.”
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“Don’t put it off when we’re outside.”
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“Keep your chin, mouth, and nose covered.”
CONCLUSION:
Now that Covid is alarmingly tremendous, we should protect the ones who cannot protect themselves better – the children. They need our guide and instructions so they’ll be safe amidst this pandemic. The best way we can to this is by educating them about how to use a facemask properly, which will empower them to be responsible on taking care of themselves. It is by making our children responsible that they learn to be resilient in any situations.
What more do you think we can do to protect them against covid? Join us in our team!
REFERENCE LINKS:
https://www.gundersenhealth.org/health-wellness/be-well/teach-your-kiddo-how-to-safely-wear-a-mask/
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/coronavirus-masks.html
MASK-UP
BLOG
by Rojhan William Homoc
MASK-UP
VLOG
by Arjhei Palenzuela, Rojhan William Homoc, Josshua Scott Jalbuna
MASK-UP
VLOG
by Arjhei Palenzuela, Rojhan William Homoc, Josshua Scott Jalbuna
PHOTO GALLERY OF THE THREE COMMUNITIES
Photo Essays by Rojhan William Homoc, Jade Asilum, Francis Robert Nabu-ab
 A warm day to buy fresh flowers |  The daily state of Dangwa since the pandemic wave |  Manila's central hub of flower supplies |
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DANGWA
 "Patungo sa Dilim" Many people in this community use the excuse "gabi naman na, hindi na tayo mahuhuli" to not wear face masks. |  "Silip sa Katotohanan" Teens, Elders, and even children gather in the court to play, to gamble, and gossip with the relief of not wearing a mask. |  "Hindi na Mabilang" For the past years, countless funerals have been held in this court for days. Unfortunately, even in Christmas and New Year, this area was occupied to grieve for the fallen families. |
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CALOOCAN
 "Nakasabit" Many families in Sitio are poor. Oftentimes, people are using their disposable masks for more than a day. They tend to hang or "sabit" they face mask somewhere in their house for them to reuse it. |  "Talipapa" This photo portrays a fish stall in a talipapa in Sitio Sto. Niño. It is the common product and source of living of many people here. There are no buyers or other people closed to its vendors around during that time, that is why they were not wearing their mask. |  "Chinese Garter" This is photo shows the kids in R-10 Sitio Puting Bato playing Chinese Garter games without wearing any facemasks. |
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