Summer comment 2020: ''Exams vs Coronavius''

Exams are tests aimed to determine the ability of a student. They are usually official written tests and have an important role in the process of learning on any educational career.

On the one hand, exams are important because they improve our knowledge and make us more competitive. The spirit of competition is a way of promoting and developing new ideas as it pushes a person’s ability to do more and better. What’s more, good grades in exams bring scholarships and a great opportunity to get a better job in the future or go to a better university.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages, too. For example, exams are a source of stress and pressure which can lead to health problems, such as headaches, nausea, sleeping disorder or even vomiting. We can get stressed because we have to memorize a lot of information in a very short time.

All in all, exams are a way to empower a person and prepare him for future challenges. Even if exams have good and bad sides, I think they can really improve a child’s thinking capability and create an innovative mind.

Summer comment 2020: ''Mask up the world!!!''

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the coronavirus and it spreads from person to person by the drops that remain in the air when infected people talk, cough or sneeze. Since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020, face masks have become very common among us.

Medical face masks are recommended in order to prevent the spread of the virus. There is an increasing evidence that both symptomatic and asymptomatic people can contribute to the spread of COVID-19. That is why an appropriate use of the masks is important along with other preventive measures, such as social distancing, hand hygiene and avoiding touching our face, nose, eyes or mouth.

At the moment, more than 50 countries in the world require people to use the mask when they leave home. Putting on a mask every time we go out is like a ritual nowadays. In order to slow down the spread of the coronavirus in our country, masks are to be worn everywhere to keep safe. The use of the mask is compulsory for everyone older than six. On the contrary, we risk a fine of €100.

To end up, even though the use of face masks in public is compulsory, it should be considered only as a complementary measure. It is extremely important that we all practise good hygiene and keep the social distance of at least two meters.

5th Quality comment- UBI - Universal Basic Income is demanded!

UBI - Universal Basic Income is demanded!

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, apart from the human loss, a massive negative effect on the worldwide economy is expected. Factories, schools, and lots of businesses have shut down. Recently, a few politicians and even Pope Francis agreed that the UBI (universal basic income) could be the solution against the economic collapse caused by the coronavirus lockdown. But, what is the UBI?

Universal basic income, or UBI, means that everyone gets a set monthly income, without having to work for it. The idea of a state-run basic income is not new. It dates back to the early 16th century when Sir Thomas More's Utopia described a society in which every person receives a guaranteed income. Currently, there are several countries where UBI projects have already been launched, but it has not provided positive results in all of them.

Finland, for example, has become the first country of the EU to start paying jobless people a certain amount of money, but, unfortunately, that did not lead them to find work afterwards. In Western Kenya, adults are being given $22 a month for 12 years, until 2028. In Italy, the government is working on introducing a ¨citizens´income¨. In Spain, a "minimum vital income" will be approved in May and be sent to nearly 100,000 vulnerable single-parent households. However, we should know that a "minimum vital income" is not the same as a universal basic income, which is granted without any conditions to every citizen.

One of the benefits of introducing the UBI is that it can raise people´s living standards because it is aimed at eradicating poverty. What´s more, workers could afford to wait for a better job or better wages.

To sum up, I strongly believe that a Universal Basic Income is needed more than ever! The introduction of an emergency Universal Basic Income could provide some financial security for people and it would help reduce the effects of the expected economical crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

4th Quality Comment- FACE MASKS: yes or no???

FACE MASKS: yes or no???

Covid-19 is a disease caused by the coronavirus and the first case appeared in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Since then, it has spread around the whole world and lots of people have died because of it. Covid-19 symptoms include cough, fever, breathing difficulty, loss of smell and taste, headache and muscle aches. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. This new virus can spread from person to person and one of the indications of the specialists is to wear masks. But, should everyone be wearing masks?

Coronavirus is spread by the drops that remain into the air when infected people talk, cough and sneeze. These can enter the body directly through the eyes, nose and mouth. That is why, recently, face masks have become so common among us. People wear them at work, in public transport and in all public places such as pharmacies, supermarkets, banks, or any other place where it's difficult to avoid close contact with others. Using masks in public may help reduce the spread from people who don't have symptoms.

Some people suggest that masks should be worn, but scientists say that they are not necessary as there is no protection against coronavirus. It is recommended to be worn by doctors and nurses who are treating people with Covid-19. The N95 masks are the most recommended ones for them. In France, the use of a ¨general public¨mask is recommended. Doctors and nurses recommend to wear them in order to differentiate them from the masks used by healthcare workers. Infected people should definitely wear masks, as a measure to avoid infecting other people. Masks should be used, not for personal protection, but to protect others from Covid-19.

To end up, I believe we should all take steps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and not to get infected ourselves. It is extremely important that we all practice good hygiene, wear masks and keep a distance of at least one meter between people.

2nd Quality Comment- Quarantine: day 1

       Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)is a respiratory illness that can be spread from person to person. It first appeared in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. In Spain, the first case appeared at the end of January. About 375,000 people got infected around the world and more than 16,000 have died. Next, I´m going to discuss how the virus is spread, who can it affect more and what are its symptoms?

To begin with, as I said before, the coronavirus is spreading from person to person. For example, being in close contact with an infected person, at less than one meter, who coughs or sneezes, is the easiest way to get it. What´s more, it is possible to get infected if we touch a surface or an object that has the virus on it. To prevent the virus from spreading, it is important to behave responsibly and follow medical recommendations.

Furthermore, symptoms are usually mild and the most serious cases occur on elderly people or those who have previous heart, lung or kidney diseases or immunity problems. Elderly people don´t have such a strong immune system so they are more vulnerable to infectious diseases. The most common symptoms include cough, fever and difficulty on breathing. There are severe complications too, such as pneumonia, multi-organ failure or even death.

At the moment, there is no vaccine or treatment for the COVID-19. In order to avoid the virus from spreading, we should follow some indications, such as: avoid close contact with other people, stay at home, avoid touching your face, your mouth or your nose, wash your hands with water and soap many times a day and if you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with the inside part of your arm. In addition, cleaning and desinfecting your home can help too.

As far as I am concerned, the COVID-19 is a very dangerous virus and the best way to prevent it is taking the preventive actions we have seen above. Although the virus spreads very fast, the best way to solve it is to stay in quarantine during at least 15 days.