It is important to strictly practice physical distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a pediatric infectious disease specialist reminded the public on Wednesday, March 10.
The local government units (LGU) should closely monitor if their respective constituents are observing physical distancing and other health protocols as the number of COVID-19 cases in the country is increasing.
“Isa siguro sa pwedeng pagtuunan ng pansin ng mga LGU yung providing an opportunity for our citizens na masunod ang recommendation for physical distancing. Alam natin yung mga droplets na nagdadala ng mikrobyo kailangan nito ng malapitan na distance para maging effective ang paglipat niya (Perhaps one of the things that LGUs can focus on is providing an opportunity for our citizens to follow the recommendation for physical distancing. We know that the droplets that carry the microbes need a close distance in order for their transfer to be effective),” said Dr. Anna Ong-Lim, member of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines, in a public press briefing.
“So the longer the distance between people, the lesser the chances na makapanghawa (of getting infected). Kailangan na kailangan natin itong idagdag doon sa mga ginagawang protective measures para mas maging mabisa at epektibo ang ating pag kontra sa sakit (We need to add this to the protective measures being taken to make our fight against the disease more effective and efficient),” she added.
Ong-Lim emphasized that “we need to plan how we move in the communities,” saying that it is imperative to avoid crowded places.
To avoid bringing the virus at home, it is important to practice the minimum public health standards while outdoors.
“Mahirap kasi talagang mapigilan ang pagkalat ng sakit pag nakapasok na sa pamamahay. Siyempre ang ating behavior pagdating sa bahay ay hindi na tayo nagma-mask at syempre malapitan ang ating interactions. So, ang tanging solusyon dyan, dapat hindi tayo mahawaan sa labas ng bahay para ligtas pa rin yung mga taong kasama natin (It is really difficult to stop the spread of the disease once it enters the household. Of course our behavior at home - we are not wearing a mask and we have close interactions. So, the only solution is that we should not be infected when we are outdoors, so that the people living with us will be safe),” said Ong-Lim.
“I guess the point is, ang pag iingat dapat ini-impose natin ng husto doon sa labas para pagpasok sa loob ng bahay we can engage in our normal behaviors (I guess the point is, we need to impose the (safety) precautions when we are outdoors, so that when we enter our homes, we can engage in our normal behaviors),” she added.