SIGNS OF THE UNEASY TIMES: Stocks of face masks in several medical stores on Bambang Street in Manila’s Stant Cruz district ran out on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, a day after health officials confirmed the first novel coronavirus case in the country. (Photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines – Amid the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) scare, Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday blamed the panic over the shortage of face masks on the false sense of security that people get from wearing it.
READ: WHO exec: Face masks give ‘false sense of confidence’; put healthy people ‘at more risks’
“Face masks have come to symbolize the sense of security of people that has to be addressed. It has to be explained that they’re not really the biggest help,” Robredo, speaking in Filipino, said over “BISErbisyong LENI,” her weekly show aired over AM radio station RMN-DZXL 558.
According to the vice president, schools, constituents, and private organizations have been reaching out to her office and asking where they could get supplies of face masks, with some even getting “frantic.”
“I think a source of the fear is that there is a lack of attention [from authorities],” Robredo said. “The lack of supply [of face masks], adds to the fear. People are confused or maybe they’re afraid that they’re not available, because they have become to symbolize protection.”
Robredo stressed the importance of practicing proper hygiene and avoiding crowded areas.
READ: DOH to public: Regularly wash hands, hydrate, eat healthy food
“There’s really a need to strengthen the call of the World Health Organization on the practices that would help more than face masks,” she said.
READ: Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) advice for the public
Nevertheless, Robredo acknowledged that even without the threat of the 2019-nCoV, those with highly contagious illnesses such as the flu should always wear a face mask in public.
She also lauded the government’s procurement of face masks amid the global shortage.
READ: Gov’t buying more face masks amid shortage – Duterte
“It’s that they should still be available in stores. [Otherwise, the shortage] causes panic,” Robredo said.
READ: Shortage of masks, surplus of fear
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