An infectious disease expert is even opposed to removing the policy on mandatory face shields during a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
According to infectious disease expert Rontgene Solante, the level of vaccination is still low, and wearing a face shield can still be considered an “added layer of protection.”
“The fact that our vaccination rate is still not yet extensive, our vaccination rate is still very low and our compliance with face mask and face shield is not that good also. I cannot imagine na tayo tatanggalin ‘yung face shield and then face mask na lang tapos mababa pa ang vaccination rate and alam natin kung face mask na lang wala ka nang face shield mas lalo tayong vulnerable,” said Solante.
According to the data, about 5 million individuals have been vaccinated against COVID-19. In total, 4,088,422 were vaccinated by the first dose while 1,293,750 were vaccinated by the second dose.
Solante mentioned this following Manila Mayor Isko Moreno’s proposal to study whether it is really necessary to use a face shield.
“Gusto ko na ipatigil ‘yang face shield na ‘yan kasi dapat pag-aralan na natin maigi… Nakita mo ibang bansa? Tayo na lang bansa sa buong mundo yata nagfe-face shield. Ang face shield should be used in the hot zone, which is in the hospital,” said Moreno.
Removal of mandatory face shield policy not yet timely: experts
Mayor Isko added, “Kung meron nang pag-aaral na mask is enough and vaccination adds up to the protection, then we should refrain and stop requiring people na mag-face shield. Una, gastos. Pangalawa, so much discomfort.”
But even though the country’s vaccination rate has increased, Solante believes that the number of new COVID-19 cases per day is still high.
If the removal of the face shield is to be studied, he said, 70 to 80 percent of the population must have been vaccinated.
According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the pandemic task force could study Moreno’s proposal on the face shield.
But the agency believes it is too early to reduce protection until herd immunity is reached in the country.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.