How to stay healthy during the dry season? Health chief counts the ways
GOLDEN HOUR A couple on a paddleboard glides through the calm waters of Boracay Island amid the soothing backdrop of the setting sun. —JACK JARILLA
MANILA, Philippines — With the dry season officially here, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III gave a few tips on how to prevent dehydration and stay healthy.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Wednesday announced the official start of the dry season. But while this has been associated with the sun, sea and the beach, precaution should still be observed.
On Thursday’s Laging Handa briefing, Duque told the public to not forget to drink lots of water and to avoid extreme sun exposure.
“Talaga po ‘pag ang summer andito na, ang atin pong paalala sa mga mamamayan ay ‘yung laging rehydration. Laging uminom ng tubig,” he said.
(When summer is already here, our reminder to citizens is rehydration. Always drink water.)
READ: Your Summer Hydration Cheat Sheet
“Iwasan ‘yung sobra—labis na exposure sa init ng araw dahil magkakaroon po tayo ng heat stroke, or heat exhaustion, ng dehydration lalo na po sa mga matatanda,” he warned.
(Avoid overexposure under the sun because we may suffer from heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or dehydration, especially the elderly.)
Duque advised the public to stay indoors during midday. However, if it cannot be prevented, sunblock should be applied liberally.
According to the World Health Organization, the sun’s ultraviolet rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“‘Wag na ‘yung from 10 [a.m.] to 3 o’clock ay lumalabas at lalo na kung hindi naman maiwasan, kailangan maglagay ng sunblock,” Duque said.
(Don’t go out from 10 a.m. to 3 o’clock but if you cannot prevent it, you need to put on a sunblock.)
