Plastic barriers in PUVs 'useless' without physical distancing, says physician

Plastic barriers in public utility vehicles (PUVs) are "useless" without physical distancing, a physician said Tuesday, Aug. 24.

In an interview with TeleRadyo, Philippine College Physicians (PCP) President Dr. Maricar Limpin recommended getting rid of the plastic barriers inside PUVs, saying it serves no purpose without physical distancing.

"Wala rin silbi yung plastic barrier, in fact matagal na naming sinasabi yan. Alisin na natin yan kasi yung virus kung dumikit nga dun sa plastic, tapos mahawakan natin, tapos mailgay natin sa ilong e di parang mabilisan din nating nalanghap yung virus at pwede tayong magkaroon kaagad nung infection (The plastic barrier is useless, in fact we've been saying that for a long time. Let's get rid of it because the virus might stick to the plastic, then we'll touch it, then we'll put our hands in our nose, we'll inhale the virus, and we'll get infected right away," Limpin lamented.

Limpin also asked the public to maintain physical distancing in public spaces and when riding PUVs.

"I-maintain na lang natin ang physical distancing, wag na nating lagyan ng cover. Nape-prevent din po yung daloy ng hangin, , napipigilan pa. Buksan na lang natin yung bintana (Let's just maintain physical distancing and just remove the plastic covers. It also prevents the flow of air. Let's just open the windows)," she reiterated.

The physician also called on the government to fix the transportation system in the Philippines, adding that the public is braving long lines in transport hubs and riding jam-packed PUVs because "they are left with no choice."

"Mag-contract servicing tayo, yung transport service kasi talagang ang mangyayari doon sa mga tao, sa kagustuhan nyang makarating dun sa kanyang pupuntahan, lalong-lalo na sa kung trabaho, talagang kapit tuko yan (Let's do contract servicing, because that what really happens to people, especially when they are going to work, they will just endure crowded PUVs, as long as they can go to work)," Limpin said.

"Kailangan ang gobyerno ang gumawa ng paraan kasi hindi lang natin pwedeng payagan ang mga tao na wala silang choice (The government needs to find a way because we can't just allow people to have no choice)."