The Department of Health (DOH) will study whether it is appropriate for Filipinos to wear double face masks to effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially since the new variant is already in the Philippines.
This is after the United States recommended a double face mask to have an extra mask to prevent respiratory droplets from passing.
But for Health Undersecretary and spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire, Filipinos are already doing double protection when wearing face masks and face shields.
“Kasi sa tingin natin ‘yung isang mask na suot natin plus the face shield is enough to be protec-ted. Mapapansin po natin from the time we implemented a mask and face shield hindi na masyadong nagba-balloon. Although tumataas ang kaso pero nama-manage po natin,” said Vergeire.
In America, wearing a face shield is not recommended for their citizens.
Despite this, many Americans still refuse to wear even face masks in public places.
If it is appropriate to wear another face mask, the DOH will need sufficient evidence that it is more effective.
“But I think ‘yung isang mask which guarantees us itong proteksyon ng 60 to 70% plus yung face shield plus the physical distance which will give you about 99% protection is enough for now,” said Vergeire.
DOH to study if Filipinos need to wear double face masks
In December 2020, the government ordered the public to wear face masks and face shields whenever they go out of their houses to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the holiday season.
Previously, the government only required the public to wear face masks and face shields inside public vehicles and establishments.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health has yet to see if there is a case of community transmission of the UK variant of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Bontoc, Mountain Province.
This is even if there is a traveler from the UK connected to the COVID-19 infection cluster in town.
Meanwhile, the patient who tested positive for the UK COVID-19 variant in Calamba City was a radiologic technician from Britain who returned to the Philippines during the Christmas season.
The DOH earlier said the UK COVID-19 variant case in Calamba was not connected to the cases detected in Bontoc, Mountain Province, and La Trinidad, Benguet.