Doctor backs eased face mask rule despite risk of higher COVID-19 cases

MANILA, Philippines — An infectious disease expert who used to advise the government’s COVID-19 task force is backing the relaxed face mask rule despite admitting that the new policy may cause a rise in coronavirus cases.

Dr. Edsel Salvana said in an interview during the Laging Handa briefing Tuesday that loosening COVID-19 restrictions is the way to go as the government explores new everyday scenarios – where the Philippines cope with the pandemic as the world transitions to an endemic stage.

But he also noted there will always be a risk of having more COVID-19 cases when health protocols are relaxed. And so, Salvana pointed out that anti-coronavirus vaccinations will play a crucial role amid the new face mask mandate.

“Of course, anytime magre-relax ka ng mga public health standards, there’s always the risk na tataas ang number of cases bagamat nakita naman natin in the last few months dahil sa antas na rin ng pagbabakuna natin, ‘yong kahit dumadami ‘yong mga may COVID-19 at some point in time, ‘yong number of severe cases is remaining low at hindi naman napupuno ang ating healthcare system,” he said.

“Meron na talaga tayong exceptions sa outdoor masking policy, kahit ‘yong dati pa, ‘yong ‘pag kumakain or ‘pag may sports, or kung nag-e-exercise.  So ito inextend lang natin all the way to ‘yong mga well-ventilated non-crowded settings at tignan po natin kung kakayanin natin sa ganitong pamamaraan dahil kinakailangan na rin naman natin po talagang mag-start to adapt to ‘yong tinatawag na new normal,” he added.

Face mask. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Salvana nevertheless expressed hope that people will continue to wear face masks “to be that safest as possible.”

“So we’re hopeful na, of course, to be that safest as possible, people would continue to wear masks. Voluntary naman po ito, so ibig sabihin kung gusto mong gamitin pa rin, gamitin mo pa rin. But at the same time, tinitignan po natin ‘yong unti-unting pagluwag para makita rin natin po kung ano po ba talaga ‘yong pinaka-calibrated response as COVID becomes more and more endemic,” he explained.

“We have to see how we can tweak this kasi meron rin po talagang burden whether we like it or not, may burden po talaga ‘yong paggamit ng mask, merong solid waste, may cost, at may mga tao talaga hirap na hirap po sila gumamit ng mask.  So we’re trying to do this in a careful, calibrated, scientific manner,” he added.

On Monday, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 3, which allows the voluntary wearing of face masks in “open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation.”

FILE PHOTO: Dr. Edsel Salvana. INQUIRER FILES

The directive, however, also reiterated the public’s continued adherence to minimum health standards.

READ: To wear, or not wear, face masks vs COVID: The zigzag road PH is taking

“Face mask shall continue to be worn in indoor private or public establishments, including by public transportation by land, air, or sea, and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained,” EO No. 3 reads.

On September 7, Angeles said the Department of Tourism (DOT) was mulling an optional mask policy when outdoors.

Marcos, at that time, was in Singapore, where people were no longer required to wear face masks except inside hospitals, on public transportation, and in other high-risk settings.

Angeles said that DOT made a presentation showing tourist arrivals are higher in countries with less-restrictive policies on wearing a face mask.

READ: Maskless like SG? DOT mulls dropping masks outdoors to attract more tourists

The Department of Health initially objected to the proposal, but officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said a compromise was reached to allow the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to recommend lifting the mandatory mask policy when outdoors.

READ: DOH for retention of mandatory face mask policy, compromise reached — Vergeire

On whether to change the existing rule on wearing face masks indoors, Salvana advised authorities to first wait for the result of the recent relaxing policy in outdoor spaces.

“Again ang issue talaga diyan, ano ba talaga ‘yong risk? Sino ba talaga ‘yong pinaka-high risk? Kasi kung bubuksan natin pati ‘yong indoors alam naman natin na that’s removing one more layer of protection every time we remove these things,” he said.

“So ang timeframe diyan is actually, ang sasabihin ko sa inyo tignan muna natin kung ano ‘yong magiging epekto nitong pagtanggal natin sa outdoor spaces, alam naman natin hindi lahat ng outdoor spaces ay ligtas,” he added.

RELATED STORY

Experts wary over eased face mask rule, warn of impact on anti-COVID vax drive

KGA/abc