Pronunciation ChallengeMasks Or No Masks? | May 17, 2021

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[Transcript]

[Masks, On or Off?]

It’s been tough these few weeks in Taiwan due to the pandemic outbreak. A level 3 nationwide restriction has been imposed by Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center, CECC. But fortunately, people here have been cooperative and well-alerted, working from our homes and avoiding public gatherings. However, in the U.S., with more people being vaccinated, the pandemic has been rather controlled now compared to when it first broke out in 2020. Late last week, May 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC, said most Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can now stop wearing masks whether they're indoors or outdoors and that they no longer need to keep their distance from each other.

Hmm… from what we’re facing here in Taiwan, this sounded a bit ridiculous, I must say, but let’s find out why they said it. One thing to point out here is that this is guidance from the CDC; it's not national law. Many US states did not require wearing masks whether people were vaccinated or not. But several states that did have mask mandates removed them after the new CDC guidance came out. The health agency said that even if you’re vaccinated, people could still be carrying the virus anywhere they go. But now, it says the latest evidence indicates it's unlikely that vaccinated people are carrying the virus, so they can be mask-free. Well… I would put my mask on at all times, you just can’t be too careful in a time like this. None of the vaccines has been shown to be one hundred percent effective against coronavirus, there have been a number of breakthrough cases recorded when people who are fully vaccinated still tested positive for the disease. So… folks in the States, good luck and stay safe. Just PUT YOUR MASK ON!!

[The Tokyo Olympics]

Yes, folks, news about the Tokyo Olympics, AGAIN. With the opening of the Tokyo Summer Olympics in just 2 months, new questions are being asked about whether the games should go on. Japan has recorded 45,000 new positive COVID tests over the past week. With just about 10 weeks away from the Tokyo Olympics and a growing course of high-profile voices in Japan are raising alarm about the Games, including sponsors, athletes, politicians, and the medical community. Most recently, Toyota, a top Olympics sponsor, said that the company is concerned about the public frustration against hosting the Games in the middle of rising COVID-19 cases in Japan and a strained medical system. This comes after 2 of Japan's star athletes, tennis players Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori, said they're conflicted about whether the Olympics should be held this summer.

As we get closer and closer to the Games, the setbacks continue to mount⏤at least 35 towns in Japan that said they are canceling deals to host international athletes, citing COVID-19 concerns. The US track and field team has canceled its pre-Olympic training camp in Japan. The torch relay has been canceled or moved off of public streets in parts of the country; several test events have been canceled or postponed. On top of all of this, Japan has only fully vaccinated about 1 percent of its population. And yes, amid all of this, the International Olympic Committee continues to reiterate that they are determined to host the Olympic Games as planned. Folks in Japan, dear listeners in Japan, good luck, stay safe.

And now, here’s our sentence of the day:

Now, it says the latest evidence indicates it's unlikely that vaccinated people are carrying the virus, so they can be mask-free.

[Vocabulary]

1. latest
newest, most recent or modern

Ex: Watch the news for the latest updates of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. unlikely
not probable or not likely to happen

Ex: Let's face it, our team is most unlikely to win.

3. vaccinated
to receive vaccination usually by injection, to prevent from getting a disease

Ex: The children were vaccinated against the coronavirus.

[Epilogue]

Folks, I hope you guys are safely at home right now.
If you have to go out, mask on, avoid gathering, and always keep your hands sanitized.
This is going to be a tough war, but we shall overcome it.
This is Ken Miao, I love you guys, let me know that you’re safe and sound.
I’ll see you again next week. Peace.

Now, it says the latest evidence indicates it's unlikely that vaccinated people are carrying the virus, so they can be mask-free.