The President’s Executive Order No. 3, which makes the use of face masks optional in outdoor settings, is like a “surprise visitor” — a lot of people welcome it since it is another step toward normalcy but there are also others who frown upon its timing.
It should be noted, however, that EO No. 3 is just the removal of the mandatory face mask policy in outdoor spaces, so it means that face masks must still be worn in indoor private and public establishments, especially on all forms of public transport.
Malacanang announced this EO based on the recommendation of the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management and Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF). The office said that this is “in response to the improving Covid-19 situation, highlighted by a steady decline in new cases and attributed to the success of the country's vaccination drive.” This EO is a welcome move for cities such as those in Cebu and Negros Occidental, which have already been encouraging their residents to go maskless in open spaces weeks ago.
On the other side, there are cities that still remain cautious, such as Davao City and those in Mindanao, which have already allowed optional wearing of face masks in outdoor areas but still strongly advises their residents to keep their face masks on for the meantime, maybe until December when Covid is weakened.
Whatever side one is leaning on, whether to still wear a face mask in open spaces or to breathe in the air freely without impediments on the nose or mouth, it now becomes a personal decision. One can look into the case of countries in America or Europe as mask mandates were dropped months ago; or one can learn about Asian countries which have continuously required their citizens to have a face mask on. In both groups, there are still new Covid infections. In both groups, there are defenders and naysayers of mask mandates.
What is then the middle ground? It seems like a recent statement from Dr. Lulu Bravo, executive director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, could be the answer. Dr. Bravo still highlighted the importance of wearing a face mask—because it not only protects us from Covid but also provides protection against other communicable diseases. In short, it is still better to wear a mask “whether it is required or not.”
“If you are immunocompromised or have comorbidities, elderly, a transplant patient, etc. you should wear a mask not only to protect you from Covid, but also from other diseases as this is the flu season,” she said. “It is better to be protected from coughs and colds with the help of wearing a face mask.”
Going by the latest data from the Department of Health, it reported 15,379 new Covid-19 cases from Sept. 5 to 11, 2022. It is a decreasing number from the previous week, which also saw a slight dip in the number of deaths, ICU occupancy, and healthcare utilization. These are encouraging numbers indeed but when you look at the glass half empty, there is a spike in new cases in Rizal Province as the positivity rate increased to 17.4 percent on Sept. 10 from 12 percent on Sept. 3. Reports indicated that this was partly due to one infected person infecting others around him.
Given all the information, and provided the option by the government via EO No. 3, wearing a face mask outdoors now becomes a personal decision. Time to choose wisely!