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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ex-NTF adviser to Marcos admin: Prioritize public health and safety

Ex-NTF adviser to Marcos admin: Prioritize public health and safety

Published Nov 6, 2022 05:09 pm

A health reform advocate urged the national government to “protect the people” amid the ongoing Covid-19 health crisis.

Former Special Adviser to the National Task Force against Covid-19 Dr. Anthony “Tony” Leachon warned of a “gloomy Christmas," stressing that the country’s Covid-19 cases could escalate due to the implementation of eased Covid-19 measures.

(Tara Yap / Manila Bulletin)

“Kung tumaas pa ‘yan at magkasakit pa ang mga tao that will be a gloomy Christmas. So dapat ang move ng government is to protect the people. Public safety lagi, hindi naman deterrent ang mask sa economic recovery, in fact it is protective for the people. (If that goes up and people get sick, that will be a gloomy Christmas. So the government’s move should be to protect the people. public safety. Masks are not a deterrent to economic recovery, in fact it is protective for the people),” said Leachon in an interview over DZRH on Sunday, Nov. 6.

“I don’t see any reason why we should remove the masks when it should be the number one guide post in the public health standards,” he furthered.

This was after the administration allowed the voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor and indoor spaces except in healthcare facilities, medical transport vehicles, and public transportation may it be by land, air, or sea.

“Reckless ang move ng government na ‘yan, at ‘yan ay magbo-boomerang later on pagtaas sa Christmas. Ang sumipa ‘yan last week ng December hanggang January last year . Ako ay nananalanging huwag na sanang at hirap na hirap na ang mga tao dahil sa inflation (That move of the government is reckless and that will boomerang later on once cases increase on Christmas. The country’s cases escalated last week of December to January last year due to Omicron. I am praying that it will not increase again because people are already struggling due to inflation),” said Leachon.

Mask wearing is still encouraged for the elderly, individuals with comorbidities, those who are immunocompromised, pregnant women, the unvaccinated population, as well as symptomatic individuals.

Amid the implementation of relaxed measures, the country’s Covid-19 booster rate remained low at 20,604,431 as of Nov. 2.

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