Republic of the Philippines

Department of the Interior and Local Government

Philippine Public Safety College
NATIONAL FIRE TRAINING INSTITUTE
4029 Camp Vicente Lim, Brgy. Mayapa, Calamba City, Laguna

Name: ____________________________ Date of Submission: ________

Course/Class Nr/Company: _____________

REACTION PAPER
in
COVID-19 CONTACT TRACING
(Title of the Topic/Presentation)

Part I. Introduction

COVID-19, pandemic as we now described it, have greatly frightened the lives of
millions even billions of people around the world. The same threat and shock didn’t
excuse our country. The Philippines have suffered the same torments that other
countries have faced. Many lives were sacrificed, establishments have closed, financial
crunch was faced, and all government and non-government departments have tediously
struggled to provide service amidst the pandemic. Our department, the Bureau of Fire
Protection has been one with the government’s mission since the commencement of
COVID-19 threat. BFP has been the forefront agency that had provided support,
especially in safeguarding the health of everyone. As a public health provider during this
trying time, it requires not only the eagerness to get the job done but also the
commitment to get the job done even better. Having a wide grasp of knowledge on a
specific task somehow gives an edge or leverage. Knowing what you are doing is
indeed better than working painstakingly. This pandemic might have been an unknown
danger to all but little by little we are benchmarking from one another.

Part II. Content

Summary
The comprehensive topic on the Basics of Contact Tracing for COVID-19
prevention by Emily S. Gurley can be summed up into her statement that whatever
COVID case that may be, it still needs action. Action is indeed the most essential thing
that anyone can provide during this endeavor. This may be in the form of information
dissemination, contact tracing, providing health assistance and social services as well

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as identifying and informing those who were exposed to a specific person who was
diagnosed as COVID-19 positive.
It is important to note that knowing the case of COVID 19, the isolation period
and the high-risk settings are the most perfect measure to somehow prevent the spread
of this deadly threat. Moreover, describing what contact tracing is and how it stops
transmission was a very compelling lecture from the given material. The role,
knowledge, and skills that should be embodied by a contact tracer include explaining
the meaning and purpose of isolation and quarantine; calculating how long a case
should isolate and how long a contact should quarantine; describing the connection
between the infectious period and isolation and quarantine; and identifying high-risk
settings for transmission that require additional action.
Thesis Statement
In Gurly’s statement— “If we can limit contact between people who are infected
and others, we can limit opportunities for the virus to be transmitted.” proves the
importance of the contact tracing action in the scenario. Knowing those who were
infected with the virus as well as those who were exposed may limit or somehow
eradicate the spread. Painting a clearer picture to this, if one area has been tagged to
have local transmission of COVID-19, we may protect the neighboring zones as well as
tend to those who were already inflicted. Through effective contact tracing, this can be
achieved. Her lecture on infectious period, calculating isolation and quarantine duration
can further solidify the goal. Being an effective contact tracer must be equipped with the
necessary knowledge on this matter.

Reaction
As one of the most tapped agencies during this pandemic, the content of the
course was undeniably very timely and relevant. The information given were
substantiated well accompanied with graphics and statistics. I can really see the
connections of the learned knowledge to my department as well as a citizen currently
experiencing the devastation and threat of the pandemic.
As to the content of the course, I really admire how it was organized progressively
from defining case, contact, isolation, and quarantine to identifying high-risk situations.
The videoclips that were divided into different topics were systematically organized for
an ordinary person to understand and absorb. Hence, I appreciate the overall course for
providing loaded information and activities that would retain the learned skills.

Application
Having been engrossed with immense background regarding contact tracing gives
me the confidence and authority that I am of knowledge with what I am doing. Through
our community extension project, I may also utilize these knowledge and skills to further
advocate health awareness and COVID 19 prevention campaign. Moreover, being an
instrument to disseminate this topic to my coworkers will already greatly affect the
workforce.

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Part III. Conclusion
Way to sum up all the knowabouts and howabouts of contact tracing, I consider
proper execution and implementation can make any intervention achieve its desired
goal. Having a good background of the topic is already a huge step to this. By
knowing how it will transpire the proper execution shall follow.
This pandemic might have intertwined with many dark entanglements in the light,
but the silver lining of it shall make it more meaningful. For without it, we might not have
such enthusiasm to learn, re-learn and unlearn things that will bring grandeur to our
career or the department itself.

Part IV. Attachments/Documentations

Part IV includes photos, certificates, and other documents related to the
Topic/Presentation and/or documentation photos of exposure to the presentation.

Signature Over Printed Name / Date

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