LAPULAPU – CEBU INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE

GE 7: SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

REPORTING PLAN

TOPIC: Public Health and Safety in the Time of COVID-19

DATE: November 26, 2024

REPORTERS:
1. Adan, Trisha
2. Asuncion, Michael
3. Berdon, Denielyn
4. Buhia Charise
5. Mag-aso, Marykris
6. Monsanto, Cyril
7. Paring, Rizalyn
8. Tamboboy, Angel
9. Warain, Margene

OBJECTIVES:
 To understand public health measures such as wearing masks, maintaining physical distancing,
improving ventilation, and sanitizing surfaces were implemented.
 To reinforce key points discussed, such as food security, the importance of sustainable practices, and
the role of regulations in public health and safety during emergencies like COVID-19.
 To gain a deeper understanding of public health-related concepts while engaging in a collaborative and
interactive exercise.

Duration Methodology/Activity Materials Assigned

Facilitator
10 mins Pre-activity: "Public Health Bingo: Emergency PowerPoint, Charise Buhia
Edition" laptop and
picture
Objective: To engage participants in recalling and
reinforcing key public health measures and concepts
discussed.

Instructions:
1. Distribute Bingo cards to all participants (or
display digitally). Provide a marker or instruct
them to digitally highlight terms as they go.
2. The facilitator will call out clues related to the
terms on the Bingo card.
Example:

Clue: "This is something you put on your face to

prevent spreading germs." (Answer: Mask)
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GE 7: SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

Clue: "This helps protect public health by ensuring

everyone has enough to eat during emergencies."
(Answer: Food Security)
Participants will mark the corresponding term if it’s
on their card.

3. Win Condition: The first participant to mark

three terms in a row (horizontally, vertically, or
diagonally) shouts “Bingo!”

4. The facilitator briefly explains how each term

contributes to public health and safety,
reinforcing the key points discussed in the
report.

Public Health and Safety in the Time of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we

live, work, and interact. This report focuses on the
importance of public health and safety during this
global crisis. It highlights the measures taken to
prevent the spread of the virus, protect
communities, and ensure everyone’s well-being.
Understanding these efforts helps us stay informed
and prepared for challenges during and beyond the
pandemic.

8 mins Discussion: PowerPoint Angel Tamboboy

Presentation
Defining Health
Health has been defined and redefined through
time, emphasizing its multifaceted nature:
1. 1948 Definition by World Health
Organization (WHO):
Health is “a state of complete physical, mental, and
social well-being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity” (WHO, 2022a).
2. 1986 Expanded Definition by World Health
Organization (WHO):
Health is a positive concept highlighting:
 Social and personal resources.
 Physical capacities.
It is not just the “objective of living”
but “a resource of everyday life.” A healthy
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lifestyle is essential to living a full,

meaningful, and purpose-driven life (WHO,
2022b).
3. 2009 The Lancet's Perspective:
Health is “the ability to adapt,” particularly in
response to emerging threats and infirmities.

Types of Health
Types of Health
Health encompasses various aspects, most
commonly categorized as:
1. Physical Health
Refers to having peak bodily functions and
systems.
 Achieved through:
 Regular exercise.
 Balanced nutrition.
 Adequate rest.
 Physical health is not just the absence of
disease.
2. Mental Health
Encompasses emotional, social, and
psychological well-being.
Characteristics of good mental health include:
 Enjoying life.
 Adapting and recovering from challenges.
 Balancing life’s aspects.
 Feeling safe and secure.
 Achieving goals and potential.
Note: Without mental health, even peak physical
health cannot guarantee a full, active lifestyle.
Additional Aspects of Health
Other critical dimensions of health include:
1. Spiritual Health
 Provides a sense of calm, purpose, and
mindfulness.
 Supports mental well-being.
2. Emotional Health
 Involves understanding and managing
feelings.
 Aids in navigating emotional fluctuations and
pinpointing causes of emotions.
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3. Financial Health
 Reduces stress by enabling individuals to:
 Regularly buy food and essentials.
 Manage financial responsibilities effectively.
Impact: All these aspects contribute to lower stress
levels and improved overall well-being.

7 mins Public Health Defined PowerPoint Cyril Monsanto

o Focus of Public Health: Presentation
Protects and promotes the health of entire
populations, unlike healthcare, which focuses on
individual patients.
o 1920 Definition by Charles-Edward A.
Winslow:
Public health is “the science and art of
preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting
physical health and efficiency through organized
community efforts” (Boston University School of
Public Health, 2015).
Key elements include:
 Sanitation of the environment.
 Control of community infections.
 Education in personal hygiene principles.
 Early diagnosis and preventive treatment.
 Developing social systems to ensure a
standard of living adequate for maintaining
health.

Declaration of Alma Ata (1978)

Identified primary healthcare as the key to
achieving “Health for All” (WHO, 2022c).
Major highlights:
 Health is a fundamental global social goal.
 Health inequalities between developed and
developing countries are unacceptable.
 Individuals and communities have the right
and duty to participate in planning and
implementing healthcare.
 Primary healthcare is an essential part of the
healthcare system and community
development.
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 Achieving Health for All by 2000 requires

better resource utilization, reducing spending
on armaments and military conflicts.

Multidisciplinary Nature of Public Health

o Public Health vs. Healthcare:
 Healthcare: Focuses on treating people
who are already sick.
 Public Health: Aims to prevent illness,
injuries, and promote wellness through
healthy behaviors.
o Public Health Professionals:
Include diverse roles, such as:
 First responders, health educators,
researchers, nutritionists.
 Epidemiologists, public health nurses,
sanitarians.
 Community planners, social workers,
policymakers.
Responsibilities include:
 Conducting scientific research.
 Educating communities about health.
 Vaccinating children and adults.
 Informing people about risks like
alcohol and cigarettes.
 Setting workplace safety standards.
 Developing school nutrition programs.

8 mins Powerpint Denielyn Berdon

A Brief History of Public Health Presentation
o Ancient Era (2000 B.C.)
Early public health measures included the
invention of water supply systems, bathrooms,
toilets, and drainage.
o Modern Public Health (18th Century)
Challenges in the Early Modern Age:
 Lack of systematic methods to link risk factors
with diseases hindered effective prevention
and treatment strategies.
 Public health began benefiting from scientific
revolutions and the rise of the scientific
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method.
 Systematic thinking about health
determinants evolved slowly over centuries.

o Public Health in the First Industrial

Revolution (1760–1830)
Development and Problems:
 Rapid urbanization and industrial growth
caused poor housing conditions, long work
hours, and overcrowded cities.
 Epidemics of infectious diseases, including
cholera, typhoid, smallpox, and tuberculosis,
became widespread.

o Cholera Outbreaks:
Four major cholera pandemics between
1820 and 1863:
1. First: India (1820).
2. Second: Russia, Hungary, Germany (1831);
London, UK (1832).
3. Third: Russia (1846); England, Wales (1848).
4. Fourth: Ganges Delta, South Asia (1863).
Cholera was nicknamed “King Cholera” due to
its devastating effects (e.g., 6,500 deaths in
London during the 1832 outbreak).

o John Snow and the Birth of Epidemiology

Broad Street Cholera Outbreak (1831–1854):
 John Snow, known as the Father of
Epidemiology, studied cholera's spread.
 Proposed contaminated water, not "bad air"
(miasma theory), as the cause of disease.
 Conducted comparisons of water sources to
identify the Broad Street well as the infection
source.
 Intervention: Removing the Broad Street
pump handle stopped the outbreak (1854).
 Pioneered statistical evidence-based public
health strategies.
 Germ theory was later formalized by Louis
Pasteur (1861).
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o Enlightenment Period Contributions

 Promoted democracy, citizenship, reason,
and public health as key social values.
 Jeremy Bentham's Utilitarianism:
 Actions should maximize
pleasure and minimize pain.
 Public health efforts seen as a
moral responsibility of
governments.
 Healthy populations
contribute to the economy
and societal welfare.

o Public Health in the 20th Century

Focused on:
o Environmental sanitation.
o Prevention and control of communicable
diseases.
o Health education for individual hygiene.
Key Achievements:
 Vaccination to prevent epidemics.
 Safer workplaces and motor vehicle safety.
 Infectious disease control.
 Decline in cardiovascular deaths.
 Maternal and child health improvements.
 Family planning initiatives.
 Food safety and water fluoridation.
 Reduction of tobacco use.

o Legacy and Ongoing Importance

Public health remains multidisciplinary, with
experts addressing current risks and evolving threats
like COVID-19.

8 mins Powerpoint Marykris

Public Health Today Presentation Mag-aso
Challenges of 21st Century Public Health
Key Challenges:
 Changing demographics across the world.
 Technological and digital revolution.
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 Political influences on public health.

 Influence of vested interests.
 New ethical issues related to the right to
health.
Need for a Robust Public Health Sector:
 Preparedness to overcome roadblocks to
achieving "Health for All."
 Development of essential services to address
modern public health concerns.
Core Functions and Essential Public Health Services
(EPHSs)
 Developed by the Public Health Functions
Steering Committee (1994).
 Three Core Functions:
1. Assessment: Collecting and analyzing public
health data.
2. Policy Development: Consulting stakeholders
for effective interventions.
3. Assurance: Ensuring public health goals are
achieved.

Figure 41. The essential public health services

(EPHSs) grouped under the three core
functions

Core Function 1: Assessment

1. Monitor health status to identify community
health problems.
2. Diagnose and investigate health problems
and hazards.
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Core Function 2: Policy Development

3. Inform, educate, and empower people about
health issues.
4. Mobilize community partnerships to solve
health problems.
5. Develop policies and plans to support health
efforts.
Core Function 3: Assurance
6. Enforce laws and regulations to protect
health and ensure safety.
7. Link people to health services and assure
healthcare availability.
8. Assure a competent public health workforce.
9. Evaluate the effectiveness, accessibility, and
quality of health services.
10. Research innovative solutions to health
problems.

5 mins Framework for Public Health Powerpoint Margene Warain

 Public health today involves multidisciplinary Presentation
expertise, including:
Biology, sociology, psychology,
environmental science, medicine, statistics,
communication, and government.
 Addressing complex health concerns requires
complex and multidisciplinary solutions.
Prevention as the Gold Standard
 Prevention should be prioritized alongside
treatment.
 Benefits of prevention:
 Prolongs life and improves quality of life.
 Prevents epidemics, outbreaks, and long-
term health problems.
Public Participation in Public Health
 Encouraging public accountability and
involvement.
 Public health focuses on what did not
happen:
 Diseases avoided, epidemics prevented,
and lives improved.
Public Health as a Collective Responsibility
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 Public health efforts rely on:

 Education, research, public involvement,
and prevention strategies.
 It is a vital concern for everyone, addressing
both immediate and long-term health needs.

8 mins COVID-19 Pandemic: Powerpoint Trisha Adan

Presentation
● Recognized as the worst public health crisis of the
21st century.
● Caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2).

Origin:
● First identified in Wuhan, China, in December
2019.

Declared:
● Public Health Emergency of
International Concern (PHEIC): January 30, 2020.
● Pandemic: March 11, 2020.
Transmission occurs through:
● Close contact via aerosols and respiratory droplets
(talking, breathing, coughing,
sneezing).
● Spreads faster in crowded places, close-contact
settings, and poorly ventilated
spaces (3Cs).

Transmission of COVID-19:
● Spreads through close contact and aerosols or
respiratory droplets.
Droplets are transmitted via:
● Talking, breathing, exhaling, coughing, and
sneezing.

Spreads faster in the 3 Cs:

● Crowded places.
● Close-contact settings.
● Confined or enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.

2 Most Common diagnostics tests for COVID19:

1. molecular test -such as polymerase chain reaction
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(PCR) test, nucleic acid

amplification test (NAATs), and other molecular
amplification tests detect the
genetic material from the virus and diagnose active
infections. Sample
types: Nasal swab, oral or throat swab, or saliva.
2. antigen test - or sometimes called rapid tests,
which detect immune response
after exposure, search for specific proteins on the
surface of the virus.
● Sample type: Nasal swab.
● Produces results faster than molecular tests.
Effects of COVID-19 on Infected People:
● Most cases result in mild to moderate illness and
recover without hospitalization.

Common Symptoms:
● Fever, cough, tiredness.
● Loss of taste (ageusia) or smell (anosmia).
Less Common Symptoms:
● Sore throat, headache, body aches, diarrhea, skin
rashes.
● Discoloration of fingers and toes, red or irritated
eyes.

Treatments for Severe Cases

1. Antiviral Treatments:
Examples: Paxlovid™ (Pfizer) and Lagevrio (Merck).
Action: Target specific parts of the virus to prevent it
from multiplying, reducing the risk of
severe illness and death.
2. Monoclonal Antibodies (mAb):
Example: Bebtelovimab (recombinant neutralizing
human mAb).
Action: Enhances the immune system’s ability to
recognize and respond to the virus.
Both antiviral treatments and monoclonal antibodies
have received EUA from the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA).

8 mins The race for vaccine development was one of the Powerpoint Michael
most anticipated breakthroughs at the height Presentation Asuncion
of the COVID-19 pandemic. The most currently
available COVID-19 vaccines in the Philippines
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are as follows:

1. Pfizer BioNTech COMIRNATY - Pfizer BioNTech

COMIRNATY:
● Developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.
● mRNA vaccine: Injects small pieces of the virus’s
genetic material (mRNA) into
human cells.
● The mRNA helps cells produce a protein that
triggers an immune response.
● EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) given by the
Philippine FDA on January 14,
2021, and expanded to include children aged 12-15
on May 31, 2021.

2. Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine -

● Developed in the United Kingdom and British-
Swedish company AstraZeneca
● it is a non-replicating viral vector vaccine, which
injects a harmless adenovirus to
deliver genetic information to human cells.
● The cells use this information to build an immune
response to COVID-19.
● EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) granted by the
Philippine FDA on January
28, 2021

3. CoronaVac or Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine

● Developed by the Chinese company Sinovac
Botech
● it is a whole inactivated virus COVID-19 vaccine,
which uses a more traditional
technology of injecting virus particles that have been
grown in culture and then
killed to destroy disease-producing capacity.
● It received an EUA from the Philippine FDA on
February 22, 2021.

4. Sputnik V (or Gam-COVID-Vac)

● Developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of
Epidemiology and
Microbiology in Russia
● it is also an adenovirus-based viral vector vaccine
against COVID-19.
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● The Philippine FDA issues an EUA of the vaccine on

March 19, 2021 and an
amended information on the second dose interval
on July 8, 2021.

5. Janssen COVID-19 vaccine or Johnson and Johnson

COVID-19 vaccine
● Developed by Janssen Vaccines in Leiden
Netherlands and its Belgian parent
company Janssen Pharmaceuticals
● it is a one-dose regimen adenovirus-based viral
vector vaccine.
● It received its BUA from the Philippine FDA on
April 19, 2021.

6. Covaxin or BBV152
● Developed by the Bharat Biotech in collaboration
with the Indian Council of
Medical Research (ICMR) -National Institute of
Virology
● it is the first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine in India.
It is also a whole inactivated
virus-based COVID-19 vaccine.
● It received its conditional EUA from the Philippine
FDA on April 18, 2021 and an
amended EUA on May 28, 2021.

7. Moderna (Spikevax) COVID-19 vaccine

● Manufactured by ModernaTX, Inc.
● it is also a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine.
● It has been given an EUA by the Philippine FDA on
May 5, 2021.

8. Sinopharm BIBP COVID-10 vaccine

● Developed by the Sinopharm's Beihing
Institute of Biological Products
● it is one of two whole inactivated virus-based
COVID-19 vaccines.
● It has an EUA issued by the Philippine FDA on June
7, 2021.

8 mins The immediate worldwide response was intended to Charise Buhia

slow down the spread of the virus. Efforts to
understand the nature and behavior of the virulent
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pathogen, educate people of health

standards, and develop treatments and vaccines can
be understood from the lens of the
Epidemiologic Triangle (ET).

ET is a model that scientists developed to

understand the spread, mitigation, and treatment of
infectious diseases.

Epidemiologic Triangle
● has three vertices, representing the three
elements of an infectious disease
outbreak. :

1. Agent (the "What"):

● The cause of the disease.
● In the case of COVID-19, the agent is SARS-CoV-2.

1. Host (the "Who"):

● The organism (humans or animals) that can be
exposed to or harbor the disease.
● In this case, the hosts are humans.
● The virus may have been transferred to humans
through zoonosis from bats or
another intermediate animal.

1. Environment (the "Where"):

● The conditions that allow or facilitate disease
transmission.
● For COVID-19, this includes both micro and macro
human systems and
interactions that enable the virus to spread.

Goal of the Epidemiologic Triangle (ET):

● To break at least one side of the triangle (agent,
host, or environment) to stop the
disease's spread.
● Breaking more vertices reduces the disease
transmission and helps control the
outbreak.

Strategies to Break the Triangle:

● Breaking the Agent’s Vertex:
● Treatments were developed to target the virus
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(e.g., antiviral drugs and

monoclonal antibodies).

Breaking the Host’s Vertex:

● Vaccines and vaccination programs were rolled out
to prevent infection.

Breaking the Environment’s Vertex:

● Health protocols such as wearing masks, physical
distancing, and ventilation
were put in place.

Unprecedented Impact on People’s Lives:

● The pandemic led to drastic changes in daily life to
contain the virus.

Public safety strategies were implemented,

including:
● Staying home to reduce exposure.
● Contactless payments and technologies for safety.
● Telemedicine for healthcare access.
● Contact tracing using QR codes.
Additional measures included:
● Physical distancing, mask-wearing, ventilation, and
hand hygiene.

Moral Challenge of Science in the Time of COVID-19

The History of Science during COVID-19

● The pandemic has highlighted an unprecedented
global scientific and
technological emergency.
● Different scientific fields are working rapidly to end
the pandemic while advancing
scientific knowledge.
● There is an urgent need to push for scientific
advancement to ensure a COVID-
19-free future and a scientifically up-to-date world.

Challenges for Science

● Despite the constraints of health protocols, border
controls, and community
quarantines, the pandemic has pushed the
boundaries of all fields of science.
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● Social responsibility has become intertwined with

the scientific community’s
efforts to survive and overcome the pandemic.
Opportunities from Challenges
● The pandemic exposed flaws in existing public
health systems but also opened
new opportunities to address these issues.
● The crisis forced innovation in scientific and
healthcare practices, potentially
creating new pathways to improve public health
systems.

6 mins Morgan, Hilgenkamp, and Kassen (2021) enumerate Powerpoint Rizalyn Paring
these challenges as follows: Presentation

1. Travel restrictions - Scientists were forced to

collaborate at a distance.

2. Retreat from open access to data - Open-access

data benefits both publicly- and
privately-funded research.

3. Engaging with the media- Never before has it

been important for scientists to
work with the media and understand how science is
communicated in the media
so that they can disseminate scientific information
effectively.

4. Improving science communication - Scientists must

now, more than ever, be both
excellent researchers and effective communicators
of science.

5. Financial cuts - Scientists will need to deal with

even more research funding cuts
as economies all around the world reappropriate
financial packages towards
economic recovery.

6. Navigating social media - Scientists are challenged

to be social media-literate to
participate in knowledge exchange in these
democratized platforms of science
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communication.

7. Infrastructure and resources - Investments on

research are now geared towards
reducing barriers to international scientific
collaboration.

8. Encouraging interdisciplinary thinking - Scientists

are now actively encouraged to
transcend traditional disciplinary disciplines and
encourage collaboration
between disciplines.

9. Academic freedom and integrity - Scientists face

greater risks in scientific
collaboration if the publication of their data does not
create a dialogue but instead
results in an attack of the inconvenient truths and
those that publish them.

10. Curiosity- versus mission-driven research -

Scientists must maintain a balance
between curiosity-driven research, typically for
uncertain long-term impact, and
mission-driven research, typically for short-term
commercial gains.

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed scientists to

embrace socially responsible science, driving
them to go beyond their usual roles. Their
commitment to truth and progress aims to create a
better future, showing that only through science can
we overcome challenges and build a healthier world.

5 mins Question and answer (At least 5 questions) Powerpoint Marykris

Presentation Mag-aso
1. A type of health that is achieved through exercise,
balanced nutrition, and rest.
Answer: Physical Health

2. This model identifies three critical factors in

disease spread: the agent (virus), the host (human),
and the environment (conditions that facilitate
transmission). Strategies to break any of these
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elements can help control the disease's spread.

Answer: Epidemiologic Triangle:

3. What are the two primary diagnostic methods

that tests help detect the virus either by genetic
material or immune response, respectively?
Answer: Molecular tests (PCR) and antigen tests.

4. It is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, spreading via

respiratory droplets. Understanding this mode of
transmission has been central to public health
measures.
Answer: COVID-19

5. What are the Types of Health?

Answer: Physical Health, Mental Health,
Spiritual, Emotional, and Financial Health