The Department of Health (DOH) is recommending the use of surgical masks, especially in areas that are experiencing an increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
The DOH made the recommendation in accordance with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines in “high-risk settings.”
“Kaya sa ngayon, ang ating rekomendasyon kung kaya niyo na mag surgical mask, especially in those areas na matataas po ang kaso, let's use surgical mask (For now, our recommendation is ---if you can wear a surgical mask, especially in those areas with high cases, let's use a surgical mask),” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in an online town hall event on Wednesday, Aug. 18.
Vergeire noted that the public can still use cloth masks. However, surgical masks offer better protection, she said.
“Pero kung hindi naman po kakayanin ng komunidad, cloth mask can still give protection, hindi po natin iyan tinatanggal sa equation (But if the community can't afford it, cloth masks can still give protection, we are not removing that in the equation),” she said.
Vergeire said that medical grade masks such as surgical masks are capable of filtering out particles in the air.
“Itong medical grade mask na ito, meron siyang certain layers that can filter various organisms in a specific particulate sizes. Kapag cloth mask po, wala pong angking characteristic o wala pong ganun ang cloth mask (This medical grade mask has certain layers that can filter various organisms in specific particulate sizes. The cloth mask does not have that kind of characteristic) ,” she said.
“Mas tumataas ang proteksyon kapag medical grade po ang mask... It's just that pag tayo ay mas capable of having this surgical mask, this is more recommended for our community (at) this time being (Medical grade masks give better protection ... It's just that ---if we are capable of having this surgical mask, this is more recommended for our community (at) this time being),” she added.
Regardless of what type of face mask an individual is using, it is important that it should be worn properly, said Dr. Anna Lisa Ong-Lim, member of the DOH-Technical Advisory Group, adding that the public should make sure that their face masks cover both their nose and mouth.
“Kahit ano pang gamitin nating klase ng mask, kung hindi maayos ang pagsuot, walang masyadong pakinabang (Whatever type of mask we use, if it is not worn properly, there is not much benefit from it),” said Ong-Lim.
For those who are using a cloth mask, it must be washed regularly and properly, said Dr. Nina Carandang, a member of the DOH-National Immunization Technical Advisory Group.
“Baka naman po replay ng replay ng cloth mask. Delikado din po iyon. Pagka gamit po, hugasan ng mabuti, ipatuyo ng mabuti para magamit po natin uli (Unwashed cloth mask that have been used continuously is also dangerous. After use, wash and dry it well so you can use it again),” she said.