#ASKGOYO
Atty. Gregorio Larrazabal
It’s August 26, 2020, today. About seven months since the first official COVID-19 case in the Philippines. In Wuhan, China, where the virus supposedly originated from, they had a pool party last week where thousands of people attended. Though there’s been reported outbreaks in some cities, the country is slowly trying to get back to normal, and their economy is improving.
In other countries, scientists are busy developing vaccines for the virus, with several companies now doing Phase 3 trials. Not only the powerhouses like the US, Russia, and China, but other countries are neck deep into developing their vaccine. Even Thailand is doing their own vaccine development. A word of caution though. Most scientist predict that a vaccine will be available middle of next year yet, and not everyone can get a vaccine. So, relying on a vaccine is not the silver bullet some make it out to be. At the end of the day, the Test, Trace & Treat approach, coupled with other safety protocols is necessary to help us overcome this enormous challenge. Swift testing, contact tracing and quarantine were the common reasons for the success of countries with manageable COVID-19 spread.
While in the Philippines, I just read a news report that the DILG will start hiring contact tracers starting September. Use of contact tracers have been used by several LGUs, but it’s shocking to realize that seven months after the first official infection, there is still no plan being implemented by the national government for the utilization of contact tracers.
I saw a pic last week, comparing the stage of development in the fight against the virus. While other countries have been preoccupied with Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the development of a vaccine, we’re still developing a Phase (face) Shield.
Because we are now at a stage where people who enter malls and other business establishments and those who use public transportation, are required to use a face mask AND face shield. I tried to google any other city or country which implemented a similar strategy to win against the virus. I unfortunately could not find any, including densely populated urban areas like Metro Manila. There have been areas which require a mask OR a face shield. But not both at the same time. I spoke with a healthcare worker in the US, and he told me that in their area they wear a mask. There are some who wear a face shield, but only if they have a health issue and cannot wear a mask. He told me they don’t wear a mask and shield at the same time. I tried calling a friend in Japan and he told me they wear a mask, but not a face shield. A doctor friend told me healthcare professionals wear both a mask and face shield, while inside the hospital. He explained it’s necessary because of the environment they work in.
To put things in perspective, wearing a mask and also a face shield over the mask may provide additional protection. However, many say you can probably achieve the same results by simply wearing sunglasses or eyeglasses while using a face mask. There have been several posts on social media where people have difficulty using both face mask and face shield for a prolonged period of time. I think the best option would be for doctors and scientists to be consulted on this, as we need to have a medical and science-based approach to this matter.
As far as I know, there is no peer-reviewed scientific research done which prove that it is essential in containing the virus by requiring the general population to wear a face shield while wearing a face mask, specially inside business establishments. In fact, no other country has mandated such health protocol. Specifically, no country which has successfully minimized the threat of the virus, mandated such requirement. Not New Zealand, not Japan, Not Vietnam, just to name a few. No matter if a developed or a developing country. What they did, however, is use a science and data-driven approach in their fight against SARS-CoV-2. Even the World Health Organization and our very own Department of Health did NOT issue any recommendation for the use of a face shield while using a face mask.
It’s like someone got shot, and all that’s being done when the patient is in the hospital is apply bandage to stop the bleeding, instead of taking steps to get ready to perform surgery on the patient to remove the bullet.
I think that’s where we should be focused on: Test, Trace & Treat, and other science-based programs. Stop the band-aid solutions, and instead, focus on meaningful plans and programs. Stop talking about face shields and the business of selling face shields, which I might add, the prices of which has shot up when the mandate was ordered, and instead, make plans based on what medical experts and scientists recommend.
Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. Demand what we deserve: Real plans and programs, and not band-aid solutions.