THE WEARING of face shield and face mask are now mandatory in public conveyance following the order of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) effective August 15 in an effort to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease.
The DOTr said mandatory use of face shield and face mask aims to further reduce the risk of transmitting the coronavirus disease in public transport facilities, saying, health authorities have pointed out that the use of face shields and masks reduces exposure to and emission of respiratory droplets considerably.
“Sa mga kababayan ho natin, huwag sana nating isipin na panibagong gastusin o dagdag abala ang pag-require natin sa paggamit ng face shield. Let us remember that no amount of protection is too much when it comes to health and safety, especially that we are battling an invisible enemy.”
“What we are addressing is not a transport issue, but rather a health issue. Kaya nga ho hinihingi ko ang kooperasyon ng bawat isa,” said DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, adding, the order applies to all public transportation throughout the country, involving the aviation and airports, railways, road, and maritime sectors.
DOTr Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon Jr. echoed Tugade’s order and he urged the cooperation of everybody. “Ipatutupad po natin ang mandatong ito sa lahat ng pampublikong sasakyan tulad ng sa mga tren, bus, jeepney, taxi, passenger vessels at maging sa eroplano. I will not elaborate more on the practical benefits the face shield offers, but we know that the use of face coverings and masks for superior protection is adopted widely,” he said.
Tuazon said the face shield should sufficiently cover the nose and mouth.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, said it is not known if face shields provide any benefit as source control to protect others from the spray of respiratory particles.
The CDC, which is under the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, said it does not recommend use of face shields for normal everyday activities or as a substitute for masks.
“Some people may choose to use a face shield when sustained close contact with other people is expected. If face shields are used without a mask, they should wrap around the sides of the wearer’s face and extend to below the chin.
Disposable face shields should only be worn for a single use. Reusable face shields should be cleaned and disinfected after each use. Plastic face shields for newborns and infants are not recommended,” it said.
But it strongly recommends that people wear masks in public settings and when around people who do not live in the same household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
It said face masks may help prevent people who have Covid-19 from spreading the virus to others. And masks are most likely to reduce the spread of the disease when they are widely used by people in public settings, and should not be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. (Mindanao Examiner)
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| Health Secretary Francisco Duque, Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, and Chief Testing Czar Secretary Vivencio Dizon wear face shield and face mask during a recent visit in Navotas City. (DOH) |
The country has recorded over 44,000 active cases of Covid-19, but this number could easily change due to the continued surge of the disease, especially on Luzon Island, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
The DOTr said mandatory use of face shield and face mask aims to further reduce the risk of transmitting the coronavirus disease in public transport facilities, saying, health authorities have pointed out that the use of face shields and masks reduces exposure to and emission of respiratory droplets considerably.
“Sa mga kababayan ho natin, huwag sana nating isipin na panibagong gastusin o dagdag abala ang pag-require natin sa paggamit ng face shield. Let us remember that no amount of protection is too much when it comes to health and safety, especially that we are battling an invisible enemy.”
“What we are addressing is not a transport issue, but rather a health issue. Kaya nga ho hinihingi ko ang kooperasyon ng bawat isa,” said DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, adding, the order applies to all public transportation throughout the country, involving the aviation and airports, railways, road, and maritime sectors.
DOTr Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon Jr. echoed Tugade’s order and he urged the cooperation of everybody. “Ipatutupad po natin ang mandatong ito sa lahat ng pampublikong sasakyan tulad ng sa mga tren, bus, jeepney, taxi, passenger vessels at maging sa eroplano. I will not elaborate more on the practical benefits the face shield offers, but we know that the use of face coverings and masks for superior protection is adopted widely,” he said.
Tuazon said the face shield should sufficiently cover the nose and mouth.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, said it is not known if face shields provide any benefit as source control to protect others from the spray of respiratory particles.
The CDC, which is under the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, said it does not recommend use of face shields for normal everyday activities or as a substitute for masks.
“Some people may choose to use a face shield when sustained close contact with other people is expected. If face shields are used without a mask, they should wrap around the sides of the wearer’s face and extend to below the chin.
Disposable face shields should only be worn for a single use. Reusable face shields should be cleaned and disinfected after each use. Plastic face shields for newborns and infants are not recommended,” it said.
But it strongly recommends that people wear masks in public settings and when around people who do not live in the same household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
It said face masks may help prevent people who have Covid-19 from spreading the virus to others. And masks are most likely to reduce the spread of the disease when they are widely used by people in public settings, and should not be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. (Mindanao Examiner)
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