Gov’t should ‘think twice’ before reimposing mandatory use of face shields – Moreno

 INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — Until science proves that face shields offer extra protection against COVID-19, the national government should “think twice” about reimposing its mandatory use, said Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

“Kung pagagastusin lang natin ang taumbayan ng wala naman support ng siyensya na ito’y nakakatulong, they have to think twice,” Moreno told reporters after Tuesday’s wreath-laying ceremony during the celebration of Andres Bonifacio’s 158th Birth Anniversary at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

(If it adds to the people’s expenses without proof that it will help against the spread of COVID, they have to think twice.)

“We have to be sensitive to our people, economically speaking, kasi while gusto nating proteksyunan ang buhay, kailangan din natin [isipin] yung kabuhayan o yung katayuan ng tao,” he added.

(We have to be sensitive to our people, economically speaking, because while we want to protect lives, we should also think of the financial capacity of our people.)

Moreno pointed out that reimposing the required use of face shields would burden people financially.

“Kasi sa hirap ng buhay ng tao ngayon,

yung P10, P20 araw-araw, P300 to P500 a month. Malaking pera na ‘yan sa isang ordinaryong pilipino,” the mayor said.

(Because P10, P20 every day, that P300 to P500 a month. That’s a considerable amount of money for an ordinary Filipino.)

“Until science will agree with it that it will give extra protection, siguro ibili na lang natin ng gamot kaysa face shield, [I think we should just spend the money to buy medicines instead of face shields]” he added.

READ: WHO not recommending face shield use yet amid looming Omicron variant

Further, Moreno suggests building up the country’s hospital capacity if the government will spend millions or billions on the procurement of face shields should wearing such items be mandated again.

“Kung daang-daang, milyon and gagamitin natin o bilyun-bilyon ang  gagamitin natin bilang gobyero, patayo na lang tyo ng COVID hospital in preparation,” he said.

(If we’re going to spend thousands, millions, or billions as a government to buy face shields, let’s just put up a COVID hospital in preparation.)

Earlier, National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the government is considering reimposing the face shield policy amid the Omicron variant threat.