Rechannel funds for face shield and masks to testing, tracing, aid — Dr. Leachon

By: Daniza Fernandez - 3 years ago

MANILA, Philippines — Government funds allotted to purchase face shields and masks should be “rechanneled” to Covid-19 testing, contact tracings and cash aid to sectors hit hard by the pandemic, former National Task Force Against COVID-19 special adviser Dr. Tony Leachon suggested on Monday.

“Dapat i-rechannel natin ‘yung funds for the face shield and the face mask to the testings and also ‘yung ayuda and do contact tracings,” Leachon said during an interview on ANC, citing every model country focuses on testing.

(We should rechannel our funds meant for face shields and face masks to testing, contact tracings, and aid.)

“We will not be able to get out of this big hole if we will not concentrate on the testing, contact tracings at dapat libre. And then dapat meron ding ayuda kung sakali man magha-hard lockdown tayo na naka-ready na,” he added.

(We will not be able to get out of this big hole if we will not concentrate on the free testing and contact tracing. We should also have aid at the ready in case we undergo a hard lockdown.)

As the country’s economy grapples with the impact of COVID-19, Leachon proposed two moves to prevent coronavirus transmission: a two-week enhanced community quarantine with 100,000 to 250,000 daily tests conducted, or implement the granular lockdown but provide free testings for essential workers.

“Number 1, hard lockdown, free testings, do everything which may not be saleable. Of course, to our economic managers… Ngayon, ang compromise natin, okay with the granular lockdown, I agree with that pero vaccinated individuals sila. But provide free testings,” Leachon explained.

(Now, our compromise, I agree with the granular lockdown among vaccinated individuals. But provide free testing.)

Moreover, Leachon noted that the timing of the implementation of the granular lockdown would be off as it will increase mobility amid the surge in COVID-19 cases.

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