Shift

New US President Joseph R. Biden was sworn in with his wife Jill Biden by his side, photo: AFP Last Wednesday many Americans breathed a sigh of relief as Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th US President without any further incident from those who believe the election was “stolen” from former President Donald Trump. Instead of attending the ceremony as is tradition, Trump and his family took one last trip on Air Force One to Florida, where he will be based until the former reality TV star decides whether to run for president again in 2024 – or perhaps even endorse a family member for the post. Alongside Biden, Kamala Harris was sworn in as vice-president, becoming the first woman in American history – as well as the first woman of African-American and South Asian descent – to take on the role. “Few people in our nation’s history have been more challenged or found a time more difficult than the time we’re in now,” Biden said in his inauguration speech. He vowed to dedicate his “whole soul” to rebuilding a country battered by disease, economic turmoil, racial inequality, and political division. The 78-year-old certainly has his work cut out for him, but he rushed into action to put his stamp on the presidency by signing a raft of executive orders within hours of entering the White House. Biden signed a letter retracting Trump’s decision to leave the World Health Organization, which would have been effective in July. There was widespread criticism and an almost complete lack of international support last year for Trump’s move in the midst of a pandemic. In the most noteworthy but also most unsurprising move, the US is to be reinstated to the Paris climate agreement. The accord, which looks to curb the heating of the planet, will be much boosted by the return of second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. Biden has previously warned that climate change poses the “greatest threat to the country”, which was battered by record wildfires and …

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The Hanoitimes - Schools in Hanoi city are requested to implement rules on Covid-19 prevention and respond promptly to any health incidents related to the pandemic. Preschool children and elementary students in Hanoi have returned to schools after a theee-month break due to the risk of Covid-19 infection, Kinhtedothi.vn reported. The schools have been disinfected many times and the teaching plans are adjusted to suit the pandemic evolution. Students in Hanoi's Ha Dong district are excited to resume classes. Photo: Van Trong Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training Pham Xuan Tien said that his department has issued detailed guidances to educational institutions in the city about Covid-19 prevention and control. Schools in the city are requested to implement the regulations on Covid-19 prevention and respond promptly to any health incidents related to the pandemic. Besides, training and operation plans have been changed. Today’s first lesson is about activities to provide knowledge and anti-Covid-19 skills for all students. All the pending teaching contents must be delivered before July 15. Hanoi schools have discussed online with parents to agree on the scenario of taking and picking up children on weekdays, as recommended by the Ministry of Health and the municipal authorities. Some schools have still recommended that parents should let their children wear face masks while in classes and prepare them personal amenities. Not all students would have lunch at the same time but in shift to avoid gathering. They are asked to avoid contact with others of different classes. On May 10 afternoon, inspection teams of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training reviewed schools in the city to support their teaching plans and taking care of students with a view to ensuring a safe return to school. …

[Read more...] about Hanoi students at all levels return to classes after 3-month break

The Hanoitimes - Classes in Hanoi would be divided into two to study in the morning and afternoon shifts to ensure safety for students. Secondary and high school students in Hanoi have returned to school on May 5 after a long break to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic, Kinhtedothi.vn reported. To ensure safety for students, classes have been disinfected, antiseptic solution and electronic thermometers have been made available, and teachers have been trained to handle cases of students showing Covid-19 symptoms. The application of pandemic control measures implies a double burden for teachers, since to guarantee a safe distance among students, a class would be divided into two to attend in the morning and afternoon shifts. At a meeting last Monday, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung asked educational institutions to ensure sufficient medical equipment. In the 2019-2020 school year, more than 22 million Vietnamese students had been scheduled to return to school on February 3 following the Lunar New Year holiday, but the Covid-19 epidemic prolonged school closures nationwide. The Ministry of Education and Training had to revise the school year calendar twice. The end of the school year is delayed until July 15, one and a half months later than usual. Hanoi students seriously follow protocol on preventing Covid-19 when returning to school. The followings are some images on the first day Hanoi students come back to schools: Students at Le Quy Don Secondary School (Ha Dong district) keep a distance of 2 meters among them before body temperature checking to enter the school. Teachers spray hand sanitizer and check students' body temperature in front of the school gate. Students seriously comply with protocol on Covid-19 epidemic prevention. Students seriously comply with protocol on Covid-19 epidemic prevention. Classes also …

[Read more...] about Hanoi students return to school amid tight medical control