The recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) to ease the restrictions on wearing of face masks in public and workplaces drew mixed reactions from the common people working on the busy streets every day, and even barangay officials who are among those in the frontlines in the fight against Covid-19.

In a message Thursday, Sept. 8, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. merely said that “I am a member of the IATF pare (buddy)’’ when pressed if he shared the same sentiments of the other members of the task force regarding the matter.

But Abalos, who has been seeking to harmonize the policies of the IATF and local government units (LGUs), has prodded the highly-compromised persons pointing to those with health comorbidities, senior citizens and children to still wear face masks in open spaces with the looming implementation of the IATF’s recommendation within the year.

According to Health Department officer-in-charge (OIC) Maria Rosario Vergeire President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. ‘verbally approved the IATF’s proposal.

Abalos insisted that everyone should be responsible in taking care of their highly-compromised family members even with the relaxed wearing of face mask protocols with Covid-19 dangerously lurking in the background.

Common tao

Online seller Nini San Jose would rather make the wearing of face masks mandatory as a precautionary measure against Covid-19.

“Hindi mo malalaman kung ang tao sa tabi mo ay may Covid. Masyadong delikado. Mahirap kung madale ka ng delta (Covid-19 variant). (You will never know if the person next to you is infected by Covid. It is too risky. It is worrisome if you catch the Covid-19 Delta variant),’’ San Jose said.

For her part, 54-year old vendor Noraya Oma said she okay with the IATF recommendation: “Okay yan. Lalo na sa katulad naming vendor, talagang mahirap magsalita at huminga sa face mask lalo na kung may customer kami. Tama lang yan tanggalin na yang face mask dahil bakunado na lahat tayo.” {That's okay. Especially for vendors like us, it's difficult to speak and breathe with a face mask, especially if we have customers. Remove mandatory use of face masks because we are all vaccinated anyway.}

Butcher Nestor Cruz agreed with Oma, saying the recommendation was long overdue.

“Dapat matagal nang ginawa yan. Hindi naman nakakatulong yang face mask nay an. Ang sa akin, ang mahalaga malinis sa katawan para malayo tayo sa sakit.” {That should have been done before. The face masks don't help anyway. In my view, the important thing to do is maintain proper cleanliness so that we stay away from any diseases," he said.

Marketgoer Princess Jean Rafon, on the other hand, said that while she agrees with the recommendation, there should still be a protocol that must be observed.

“Yes approve naman ako diyan pero dapat may regulation pa rin. Like me nandito ako sa palengke medyo matao at siksikan, kailangan ko talaga mag-face mask mahirap na hindi ko alam kung sinong mga nakaka-bangga ko nakaka-salubong ko dito. Para sa sarili nating safety mag-face mask pa rin kapag nandito sa mga mataong lugar.” {Yes, I approve of that, but there should still be a regulation. Like me, I'm here at the market, it's quite crowded. I really need to wear a face mask, because I don't know who I might bump into. For our own safety, wear a face mask when in crowded places like here," Rafon said.

Tricycle driver Marlon Postada, on the other hand, said: “Talagang mahirap yang face mask mahirap huminga. Pero dahil required ginagawa naming. Pero kung tatanggalin na, mas maganda siguro basta ingat-ingat na lang sa sarili para hindi mahawa ng Covid.” {For us, sir, using face masks is uncomfortable. It’s difficult to breathe. But still we use face masks because it's required. But if it's going to be removed, maybe it's better. Just take care of yourself, not to get infected of Covid."

Market helper Justine Banghoy, for his part, has this to say: “Tama yan Sir! Wala ng face masks nay an gastos lang buti sana kung libre.” {That's good sir! No more face masks, it only cost us to buy for ourselves, it would be nice if they were free."

OK with barangay officials

Kagawad Maria Elena Oreta of Barangay Quirino 2-B in Quezon City agreed with the IATF’s move citing the decreasing number of Covid-19 cases not only in Metro Manila but also in most parts of the country.

“Panahon na para gawing hindi obligado ang pagsusuot ng face masks sa labas. Open space naman kaya okay lang (I think it is about time to make the wearing of face masks outdoors non-obligatory. It is in open space that is why it is okay),’’ Oreta said.

She noted that having heard of complaints from people that wearing of face masks for long periods of time had caused them difficulty in breathing, inaudible speaking voice, rashes, extreme sweating and excessive itching in the nose and mouth area.

Oreta also noted that with the hard times many consider the mandatory wearing of face masks an added financial burden at the time when jobs and income opportunities became scarce due to the pandemic.

Remain protective of self

In a Sept. 7 press briefing, Abalos appealed to the public to strictly observe the health protocols imposed by the IATF at all times even if the wearing of face masks will no longer be required in open spaces.

Abalos, in reference to the call of Vergeire, prodded the mayors and the governors all over the country to come up with measures that will improve the primary vaccination and booster shot numbers in their respective jurisdictions.

The DILG chief issued this call after saying that the IATF will soon tackle the health guidelines against Covid-19 in indoor places.

He also assured that the DILG will actively play a more active role in enhancing the country’s vaccination campaign against Covid-19 in areas with low inoculation numbers.

Abalos went to the extent of assuring his willingness to accompany Vergeire in strengthening and extensively promoting the government’s vaccination and booster shot campaign against Covid-19 in various places, even in far-flung islands and remote areas of the country.

The Manila Bulletin news team went to the Commonwealth Market in Quezon City, the busiest public marketplace in the country, to get the views and insights of common people on the IATF’s proposal.