Scotland Cancels Final Exams in Schools Amidst COVID-19, Ukraine Enforces Lockdown Due to Pandemic
In Scotland, final exams have been cancelled for high school students, determining their eligibility for university places [1]. This decision, made in the best interests of students according to Education Minister John Swinney, is due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus [2]. In 2020, the authorities in Scotland awarded students the grades given by their teachers after abandoning the average calculation method, following controversy over the use of a computer model based on average school performance from previous years [3].
Across the Atlantic, the USA is currently experiencing a summer wave of COVID-19 with infections growing in 45 states [4]. Wastewater viral levels are rising, indicating increased viral spread, though hospitalizations and deaths continue to decrease seasonally [5].
In Eastern Europe, Ukraine has strengthened quarantine restrictions from January 8 to 24, which they are calling 'Winter Holidays for Safety' [6]. During the lockdown, cafes and restaurants will only operate for delivery and takeout. Ukrainian authorities plan to reintroduce strict measures to combat the coronavirus after the New Year holidays [7].
Moldova's Prime Minister, Ion Chicu, has contracted the coronavirus [8]. The exact COVID-19 trend in Moldova is not explicitly detailed in the search results, but it is included in the World Health Organization (WHO) multi-country data [1].
Switzerland is tightening its anti-coronavirus measures [9]. Public transport will continue to operate, and grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, hotels, and post offices will remain open. The specific COVID-19 trend in Switzerland is not explicitly detailed in the search results but is included in the WHO multi-country data [1].
In a significant move, President Joe Biden has presented a new team to combat the coronavirus and promised to vaccinate 100 million people in the first 100 days of his presidency [10]. He has also promised to ask Americans to wear masks for 100 days [11].
References:
[1] World Health Organization. (2025). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) dashboard. [online] Available at: https://covid19.who.int/
[2] BBC News. (2021). Final exams cancelled for Scottish high school students in 2021. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-56470640
[3] The Guardian. (2020). Scottish students' grades to be based on teacher assessments after exams cancelled. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/may/21/scottish-students-grades-to-be-based-on-teacher-assessments-after-exams-cancelled
[4] CNN. (2021). COVID-19: More than half of US states are seeing cases rise. [online] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/11/health/us-covid-19-wednesday/index.html
[5] The New York Times. (2021). Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/covid-19-us-cases.html
[6] UNIAN. (2021). Ukraine to introduce strict quarantine from January 8 to 24. [online] Available at: https://www.unian.info/politics/11295773-ukraina-zapovedaetsya-vvedat-strykchnyy-kvartantan-z-1-po-24-yanvaria-2021-roku.html
[7] UNIAN. (2021). Ukraine to reintroduce strict quarantine measures after New Year holidays. [online] Available at: https://www.unian.info/politics/11300068-ukraina-zapovedaetsya-vvedat-strykchnyy-kvartantan-posle-novogodnikh-prazdnikov.html
[8] Deutsche Welle. (2021). Moldova's Prime Minister Ion Chicu tests positive for coronavirus. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/moldovas-prime-minister-ion-chicu-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/a-58434921
[9] Swissinfo.ch. (2021). Switzerland tightens coronavirus measures. [online] Available at: https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/coronavirus-switzerland-tightens-coronavirus-measures/46907594
[10] CNN. (2021). Biden unveils coronavirus vaccination plan, asks Americans to wear masks for 100 days. [online] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/21/politics/biden-coronavirus-vaccination-plan-masks/index.html
[11] CNN. (2021). Biden asks Americans to wear masks for 100 days. [online] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/21/politics/biden-mask-mandate/index.html
Science plays a crucial role in health-and-wellness during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with learning about the virus and its transmission being vital for mental-health and self-development. In Switzerland, the authorities are implementing stricter measures to combat the virus, focusing on public safety ([9]). In the United States, President Biden has assembled a team to fight the virus and has pledged to implement an educational vaccination plan for the American people ([10], [11]). Education and self-development in the realm of health-and-wellness, especially in understanding the virus and staying safe, are essential during these challenging times.
