HEADS UP: Stay Safe From COVID at the Office (March 17)

Here's a Heads Up from Reportr.World on news that you need to know today, March 17:

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

• If you're back in the office, brush up on safety tips to avoid catching the virus and bringing it home. Stay safe, COVID cases are rising again.
• Metro Manila residents, for two weeks from today, only those aged 18-65 are allowed outdoors. Minors must stay indoors, according to the MMDA.
• UP Diliman is showing the education system how to be gender-inclusive. School records will soon reflect students' gender identity. He, she or they: the student decides.

CULTURE EXPLAINED

• In a blow to Pope Francis' friendly stand on the LGBT community, the Vatican said the Church can't bless same-sex unions.
• In the Philippines, cinema is helping normalize love between gay men through BL or Boy Love films. Here's how it's being done.
• It's a myth, alcohol or any other potion can't turn gay men straight. Here's why.

TOP STORIES:

• Health Secretary Francisco Duque said that unless the surge is capped, COVID cases could surpass the 2020 peak.
• The Skyway Stage 3 announced a closure starting 5 p.m. yesterday, citing an order from the TRB, which denied issuing such a directive.
• Palawan voted against splitting it into three provinces. The plebiscite had a 60% turnout, according to Comelec, and provided a glimpse at new normal elections ahead of the 2022 polls.
• The WHO urged the public not to panic over the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine, saying safety precautions were being observed. Some countries paused their rollout of the jab following reports of blood clots as a possible side effect.
• Targeting misninformation and anti-vaccine conspiracies, Facebook said it would soon label posts about COVID jabs.
• Friends of the late flight attendant Christine Dacera said they were considering filing charges against her family, who are blaming them for her death.
• Tech disruptor Elon Musk has just been crowned, literally, as "Technoking" at electric car-maker Tesla.
• Here's a list of the 2021 Oscar Nominees, including a posthumous one for Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman.
• A young couple in Ukraine is showing fellow on-off lovers how to stick together. They handcuffed themselves to each other and are documenting the experience on Instagram.