Roque insists use of face shield help protect vs COVID-19

FILE PHOTO: Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque holds an online press briefing while on self-quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19. Screengrab from RTVM

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday insisted that face shields help protect the public against COVID-19, nixing a proposal to scrap its mandatory use.

Citing epidemiologist Dr. Edsel Salvana, Roque said one is given protection almost equivalent to a vaccine if they wear a face mask, face shield, and observe physical distancing.

“Kakabasa ko lang po ng sinulat ni Dr. Salvana, isang nirerespeto po na epidemiologist, ang sabi niya, talagang nakakatulong pa rin po ang pagsusuot ng face shield,” Roque said in an online briefing.

(I just read what Dr. Salvana, a respected epidemiologist, wrote. He said that wearing a face shield really helps.)

“Statistically, kapag ikaw po ay nag-mask, face shield at distancing, halos equivalent po ang protection niyan sa bakuna. So sa akin po, sa siyensya, may basehan po yan,” he added.

(Statistically, if you wear a mask, face shield, and observe distancing, it gives almost equivalent protection as a vaccine. For me, it has a scientific basis.)

It was Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso who suggested that the government stop requiring the mandatory use of face shields in public, and instead require it in hospitals.

Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases is open to listening to the local chief executives if they decide to recommend this.

“Ganunpaman, nakikinig naman po ang IATF, I’m sure narinig ng IATF ang mga rekomendasyon ni Mayor Yorme. Kung ito po’y magiging rekomendasyon ng lahat ng mga mayors sa Metro Manila, talagang pinakikinggan naman po ang ating implementers dahil sila po ang nagpapatupad ng IATF policies,” Roque said.

(Regardless, the IATF listens and I’m sure IATF heard the recommendation of Mayor Yorme. If this will be the recommendation of all mayors in Metro Manila, we will listen to the implementers of IATF policies.)

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has also opposed the proposal to stop requiring the use of face shields as the COVID-19 vaccination coverage remains low. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1441034/duque-not-in-favor-of-scrapping-face-shield-policy-for-now-due-to-low-vaccine-coverage