A Department of Science and Technology official thinks it’s not worth it for jeepney drivers to wear a personal air purifier.
DOST vaccine expert panel head Dr. Nina Gloriani said studies have not yet proven the coronavirus efficacy of high-density air purifiers that use negative ions.
Moreover, such air purifiers are expensive and need to be charged, which is impractical to jeepney drivers.
Gloriani is more convinced of the effectiveness of air purifiers with hepa filters.
Gloriano stressed that it is still better to follow protocols such as wearing a face mask, washing hands, and maintaining physical distancing.
“Ang danger diyan yung complacency. Kung akala niya meron na siyang proteksyon at yun nga kung hindi naman yan napalitan, hindi naman yan magla-last forever, ang mahal pa, so you have to consider all of those,” said Gloriani.
The Department of Health had earlier said there was no evidence to prove that a personal air purifier could protect against COVID-19.
“Sinabi na po natin dati ‘yan, na wala po ‘yang ebidensya. Bagamat hindi po ito nakaka-cause ng harm sa isang tao, pero hindi rin po siya nakakapagbigay ng proteksyon laban sa COVID-19,” she said in a briefing.
Wearing personal air purifier ‘not worth it’ – DOST official
(We have said it before that there is no evidence to support that. Therefore, although this will not cause harm, it will also not give protection against COVID-19.)
“It will give that false security to our kababayans na baka magkaroon ng complacency because of this and baka lalo pa tayong magkaroon ng impeksyon,” she added.
(It will give that false security to our countrymen. There might be complacency because of this and might lead to more infections.)
Earlier, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia ordered all drivers and conductors of public utility vehicles (PUVs) in the province to use personal air purifiers amid the pandemic.
The memorandum dated August 13, 2021, became effective on Monday, August 16, 2021.
“Effective August 16, 2021, all drivers and conductors of Public Utility Vehicles are required to wear personal purifiers at all times during their trip,” the memorandum read.
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