HEADS UP: Why Pope Francis Thinks Choosing to Parent Pets Over Kids is Selfish (Jan. 14)

Here’s a Heads Up from reportr on news you need to know today, Jan. 14:

CULTURE EXPLAINED

• Are fur parents selfish for wanting to take care of pets more than children? We analyze Pope Francis’ controversial statement of parenthood.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• If you are a close contact of a COVID patient, here’s your quarantine and testing guide.
• When Bioflu and Biogesic are hard to find, should you go generic?
• What is a pulse oximeter and how do you use it properly for COVID home care?

OMICRON NEWS

• There were 34,021 new COVID cases yesterday, a new all-time high that broke a three-day-old record.
• The Department of Education has authorized its local offices to suspend classes when necessary depending on the COVID situation and adjust their calendars accordingly.
• Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has suspended classes from Jan. 14 to 21 due to the COVID situation.
• People who get infected with the Omicron variant are 90% less likely to die and 75% less likely to require intensive care.
• Omicron is especially dangerous to the unvaccinated population, the WHO said, as it urged caution over considering it a welcome variant, one that will make COVID-19 endemic.
• Denmark is now offering a fourth COVID vaccine dose to vulnerable populations, one of just three countries in the world to do so.

ELECTION NEWS

• Former members of ex-President Fidel Ramos’ cabinet have endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo as president, saying they saw in VP Leni FVR’s leadership qualities.
• Comelec has launched a Facebook page where national candidates in the 2022 elections can hold virtual rallies.

TRENDING NEWS

• What is Wordle? The five-letter puzzle craze that has got millions around the world guessing.

NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Philippine passport holders can enter 66 territories visa-free, making it the 77th most powerful in the world out of 199 in the 2022 Henley Index.
• Online money transfers via InstaPay and PESONet should again be free of charge to help the public manage their finances during the Omicron surge, the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Banks said.
• Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City has been renamed Fernando Poe Jr. Avenue in honor of the late “king” of Philippine movies.