Pediatricians recommend continued masking in classrooms

Pediatricians are still recommending students and teachers to wear their face masks inside classrooms following the government’s decision to make masking optional in the country.

Both the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) and Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP) are urging the continued wearing of face masks in indoor school facilities to prevent the transmission of Covid-19 virus.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Nov. 8, PPS President Dr. Florentina Ty said that wearing of face masks coupled with other health protocols are essential at this point given the presence of new Covid-19 variants in the country.

“The PPS and PIDSP reiterate that while there are profound benefits of in-person learning, the threat of Covid-19 among vaccinated and unvaccinated children persists, and so wearing of facemasks in indoor school facilities must be continued to decrease the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission,” said Ty.

“Preventive measures such as appropriate use of face masks, ventilation and physical distancing have been suggested in some studies to have significantly reduced secondary transmission. Correct and consistent mask use by all students, teachers, staff, and visitors is particularly important when physical distance cannot be maintained,” she added.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) No. 7 last Oct 28 that allows the voluntary wearing of face masks in indoor and outdoor settings.

Last Nov. 1, Department of Education (DepEd) Spokesperson Michael Poa said that optional wearing of face masks inside classrooms is now allowed following the directive stated in EO No. 7.