Thursday, June 1, 2023
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home News National

Ditch face shield policy, Speaker asks President

Maricel CruzbyMaricel Cruz
September 22, 2021, 12:50 am
in National
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

Citing economic and medical concerns, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has asked President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider the policy requiring people to wear plastic face shields as an added protection against COVID-19.

In a letter dated Sept. 20, 2021 addressed to the President and copy furnished to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Velasco said the face shield requirement only poses an added financial burden to Filipinos who are already bearing the brunt of the pandemic.

He also noted the absence of solid medical proof that the use of a face shield is effective against the transmission of the deadly coronavirus.

Velasco asked that Filipinos be allowed to not use face shields “when going out of their homes or indoors, including in malls, commercial establishments, and public transportation.”

“May I humbly and respectfully recommend that the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and the Department of Health both under the Executive Department reconsider the mandatory use of plastic face shields for the general public (under IATF Resolution No. 88 and Joint Memorandum Circular 2021-0001 on the Clarificatory Guidelines on the Mandatory Use of Face Shields Outside of Residence for COVID-19 Mitigation, respectively),” he said.

“The use of face shields has made little difference in protecting against the transmission of COVID-19 over the proper use of masks alone and imposes an additional burden to poor Filipino families already reeling from the adverse effect of the pandemic on their livelihood,” Velasco told the President.

Assistant Majority Leader and Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles backed the Speaker’s appeal.

“This is a good suggestion by the Speaker which we hope the IATF will consider given the current economic situation,” Nograles said.

He also agreed with the Speaker that the cost of a face shield of about P20 to P50 is already a substantial amount equivalent to the cost of a meal for poor Filipinos.

“They will prioritize buying food over face shields, which offer no guarantee of protection against COVID-19,” said Nograles.

Velasco cited the COVID-19 Low Income Household Panel and Economic (HOPE) survey conducted by the World Bank and supported by the Australian government showing a grim picture on the impact of the pandemic on the poorest 18 million poor and vulnerable households, comprising 70 percent of the population, and residing mostly in rural areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

Among others, Velasco said the HOPE survey showed that 56 percent of Filipino families have less food on the table.

“COVID-19 has worsened hunger among Filipinos. The cost of a face shield of about P20 to P50 is already a substantial amount equivalent to the cost of a meal for these poor Filipinos, and mandatory requirement of the same takes away money for food from these families,” Velasco explained.

He noted that the World Health Organization, as well as the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommend the use of eye protection, such as goggles and face shields, only for those providing direct care to patients with COVID-19.

Velasco said that studies conducted by physician-researchers of Wayne State University School of Medicine indicate that combining the use of face shields and masks made little difference over the use of masks alone.

Even in the Philippine context, Velasco said the same result on the doubtful efficacy of face shields is evident.

He cited an article by researchers from the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, the country’s leading professional association of specialists in infectious diseases and microbiology.

They concluded that the use of face shields may help doctors and health care workers against splashes and sprays of blood or other bodily secretions but does not give additional protection against respiratory aerosol such as those present in COVID-19 transmission.

Velasco endorsed the findings of the epidemiology experts and recommended requiring the use of face shields plus face masks, apart from PPEs, “only for enclosed spaces with high transmission of COVID-19 such as hospitals and quarantine facilities.”

He then requested the President to “reconsider the mandatory use of face shields for the general public because protection against airborne transmission is already sufficiently addressed by the proper use of facemasks.”

Moreover, Velasco, who advocates against single-use plastics and plastic pollution, said the requirement “adds to the already worsening garbage problem in the country considering the flimsy construction of these disposable face shields.”

“The rest of the world universally considers the following as effective interventions to prevent the spread of COVID-19: proper wearing of face masks, regularly washing or disinfecting of hands or high-touch surfaces, and ensuring proper ventilation in indoor spaces,” Velasco said.

Tags: COVID-19Lord Allan Velascoplastic face shieldsreconsiderRodrigo Duterte
ADVERTISEMENT
Maricel Cruz

Maricel Cruz

Related Posts

China blames US ‘provocation’ for fighter jet incident in SCS

byAFP
June 1, 2023, 12:15 am
0
8
Sweet dreams are made of these: Tips to achieve great sleep every night

Beijing blamed US “provocation” Wednesday for an incident last week when a Chinese plane crossed in front of an American...

Read more

Divorce is still long shot in the Philippines

byAFP
May 31, 2023, 11:50 pm
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

Mother-of-three Stella Sibonga is desperate to end a marriage she never wanted. But divorce in the Catholic-majority country is illegal,...

Read more

Three die in four-vehicle smashup at SCTEX in Mabalacat, Pampanga

byDarwin G. Amojelar
May 31, 2023, 11:40 pm
0
8
Three die in four-vehicle smashup at SCTEX in Mabalacat, Pampanga

Three people were reported killed in a multiple-vehicle accident in a portion of the Subic - Clark - Tarlac Expressway...

Read more

CA okays appointments of 86 soldiers, 7 diplomats

byMacon Ramos-Araneta
May 31, 2023, 11:30 pm
0
8
CA bypasses appointments of Pascual, Lotilla

The powerful Commission on Appointment (CA) on Wednesday gave its nod to the promotions of 86 senior officers of the Armed...

Read more

Nine OFWs home after rescue from Thai, Myanmar crime rings

byVito Barcelo
May 31, 2023, 11:20 pm
0
8
BI’s task is to check travel documents, Tansingco says

At least nine overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were victims of a human trafficking syndicate were repatriated after being rescued...

Read more

BARMM Speaker eyes presidential pardon for Candao

byNash B. Maulana
May 31, 2023, 11:10 pm
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

COTABATO City—The Speaker of the Bangsamoro Parliament has issued a statement saying a former governor of the Autonomous Region in...

Read more

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • PHILEX MINING CORPORATION: Notice of the 2023 Annual General Meeting of Stockholders
  • Urban gardening
  • Maharlika bill goes to Palace
  • Economic managers laud passage of MIF with ‘several safeguards’
  • Solons commend Speaker for ‘exceptional’ leadership
  • House suspends Teves for another 60 days amid refusal to return to PH
  • PBBM: Gov’t, LGUs must digitalize transactions
  • Typhoon ‘Betty’ affects close to 15,000 people

Advertisement

Latest News

House suspends Teves for another 60 days amid refusal to return to PH

byMaricel Cruz
June 1, 2023, 12:45 am
0
8
Teves denies hand in 4 suspects recanting testimonies on killing

The House of Representatives on Wednesday imposed another 60-day suspension without pay on Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves, Jr. over...

Read more

PBBM: Gov’t, LGUs must digitalize transactions

byVince Lopez
June 1, 2023, 12:40 am
0
8
Villacorta new LTO officer-in-charge

The Marcos administration is pushing for more digitized transactions in all government agencies, including at local government units (LGUs), to...

Read more

Typhoon ‘Betty’ affects close to 15,000 people

byJoel E. Zurbanoand1 others
June 1, 2023, 12:35 am
0
8
Puerto bet tops Bb. Pilipinas pageant

By Joel E. Zurbano and Charles Dantes A total of 14,908 people or 3,821 families have been affected as of...

Read more

Radio broadcaster gunned down in Oriental Mindoro

byCharles Dantes
June 1, 2023, 12:30 am
0
8
Southwoods nails Seniors’ Fil golf crown

A radio broadcaster was shot dead outside his home in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on Wednesday, police said, the latest...

Read more

PH’s power grid performs better under NGCP

byAlena Mae S. Flores
June 1, 2023, 12:25 am
0
8
Maguing power tower damaged by bomb

By Alena Mae S. Flores The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said Wednesday the power grid’s performance continues to...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App