MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte advised to use face shields to further protect individuals from COVID-19 amid the threat of the Omicron variant.
During his Talk to the People that aired late Tuesday, Duterte noted that face shields, on top of face masks, add another layer of protection.
“You know what’s really, not funny, but more of a reaction of a human behavior. Some countries even criticized us for requiring the face shields. Alam mo sa totoo lang (you know, in reality), I believe that in some areas, in some countries, the people there are so much concerned about their human rights,” he said.
“Nakakatulong sa Pilipino, totoo lang (It really helps Filipinos), I think the compliance of our citizens in the matter of strictly enforcing the mask, one, and while it might be not really a well-studied proposition, but I would dare say that that shield will add another layer of protection,” added the president.
Believing that face shields helped in lowering COVID-19 cases in the country, the chief executive advised to not throw the people’s face shields and continue using it.
“Kaya ‘yung talagang gusto niyo ‘di kayo matamaan, huwag ninyong itapon ‘yung (If you do not want to be infected, don’t throw away your) shield. Continue using it, I advise you because I really firmly believe that the wearing of that face shield has contributed a lot. I cannot quantify by what percentage but just a gut feeling na ‘yung kasi tayo mababa na tayo ngayon (because we have low COVID-19 cases now),” said Duterte.
READ: PH posts lowest new COVID-19 cases so far in 2021 at 168; 10 more deaths
To date, the country has recorded three cases of the Omicron variant.
Earlier, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the government is looking into the possible return of the face shield amid fears of the Omicron variant.