Use of face shields now limited to ‘high risk activities’

PRESIDENT DUTERTE has finally agreed to forego the wearing of face shields outdoors, but said Filipinos will only need to wear them on top of face masks in enclosed and crowded places for added protection against the deadly Covid-19, especially now with the Delta variant of the deadly respiratory virus.

Lawmakers and other groups have previously called on Duterte saying using face shields are not necessary. This was also echoed by Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, who said using face shields outdoors may no longer be necessary, especially in areas where the risk of infection is low.

Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States does not recommend face shields for the general public, especially as a substitute for face masks.

The agency, however, does advise health care workers to wear them or some other form of eye protection along with face masks, especially in areas that are experiencing moderate to substantial spread of Cocis-19.

Now, Duterte said the country’s top medical experts from the Technical Advisory Group recommend the use of face shields in situations considered “high risk activities” such as those in closed areas, crowded places and individuals who have close contact with Covid-19 patients.

“Ang limitasyon, ang face shields gamitin mo Three Cs: closed whatever facility, ospital o basta magkadikit-dikit; crowded, ganoon rin, it’s a crowded room tapos closed lahat, mas delikado; and saka ang close contact, kung magkadikit-dikit ang tao. So diyan applicable pa rin ang face shield. Iyon ang recommendation. Labas sa tatlong limitations, puwede na hindi na gumamit. Eh iyon ang recommendation, ‘yun ang masunod,” he said.

According to Duterte, the inconvenience of wearing a face shield is miniscule compared to the added protection that it offers against Covid-19, especially against the deadly Delta variant.

“Ngayon, sabi ko takot ako sa — lalo na ‘yung pagdating ng Covid D(elta variant). I got so scared that I ordered the re-imposition of the face shields. Ang akin naman nito sabi ko any — maski gaano kaliit ‘yung contributing factor niya to avoid Covid, okay na lang,” he said.

Apart from using face shields, face masks and maintaining social distancing, Duterte also reminded Filipinos to get inoculated as soon as the vaccines are available in their locality. But he was quick to discourage individuals, as well as local governments, from choosingCovid-19 vaccine brands, noting the limited global supply of vaccines.

But even Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Carpio said the government should consider buying Western vaccines instead of China’s Sinovac and Sinopharm due to their low public acceptability.

“We come up with the resolution (informing the IATF) because this has become a huge challenge in vaccination rollout. We have a moral responsibility to let the IATF know what is happening on the ground. If possible, we shift our purchases to Moderna and Pfizer because this will help in the rollout of the vaccination program,” Carpio said.

Duterte said there is no need to prefer a particular vaccine brand because all vaccines procured by the country and approved by regulators have been proven safe and effective, adding that vaccine efficacy is based on stringent medical research and procedures. He also ordered vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. to ensure fair and equal distribution of vaccine brands across the country

 

“Because if you give the Pfizer to one city, sabihin ng iba kami pala dito sa ibang city? Kulang ng supply. Hindi puwede ‘yan. Sabi ko pareho ‘yan lahat, huwag kayong mamili kung anong nandiyan ipadala sa inyo and specifically my order to Sec Galvez na wag niya do it purposefully to give Pfizer sa — haluin mo ‘yan lahat. Huwag kayong mamili,” he said.”

The Philippines has received more than 66 million coronavirus vaccines through government and private sector procurements as well as donations from China, United States, and the World Health Organization-led COVAX facility. (Mindanao Examiner)