DOH: Metro Manila doesn't need N95 masks, save them for those near Taal
Published Jan 14, 2020 12:00 am
By Genalyn Kabiling
Metro Manila residents should not engage in panic buying of N95 masks as the government moves to distribute such protective gear to communities directly affected by the Taal Volcano's ash explosion, a health official said Tuesday.
Pedestrians walking around Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City sport face masks as to protect themselves from the hazards brought by ash fall from the erupting Taal volcano on Sunday (ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN)
Health Assistant Secretary Maria Francia Laxamana said Metro Manila residents could use surgical masks instead of N95 masks since the ashfall is not as heavy as those falling in places near the volcano.
Laxamana explained that people in the high-risk areas of Batangas and Cavite should instead be given priority in receiving the N95 masks for ash fall protection.
“Huwag tayong mag-panic. Huwag na muna tayo mag-N95 dito sa Metro Manila. Ibigay muna natin sa mga kababayan sa areas ng Batangas at Cavite (Let us not panic. Let us not use N95 masks here in Metro Manila. Let's give them instead to our countrymen in need in the areas of Batangas and Cavite)," she said in the “Laging Handa” (Always Ready) press briefing in Malacañang.
Laxamana said some people in Metro Manila started panic buying N95 masks, leading to the dwindling supply of such products.
"Hindi ganoon katindi yung mga ash fall, so nagpanic lang ang mga tao nung nagbilihan ng N95, kaya sad to say that nagkawalaan ng stocks. ‘Yung mga dapat na bibigyan natin ng N95, ‘yun ang hindi, ‘yun ang nagkulang (The ashfall is not really heavy here so people just panicked and bought N95. Sad to say, the stocks have decreased, depleting stocks for those who should really be given N95 masks)," she said.
"’Yung N95 is really prescribed doon sa mga areas na inalis natin sa areas within the 14 kilometer radius, so sila yung first line na dapat gumamit talaga ng N95 (The N95 masks are really prescribed for people evacuated from the areas within the 14-kilometer radius. They are the first line who should really use the N95 masks)," she said.
Laxamana said the health department has started emergency purchases of N95 masks but admitted that they still need more supply to meet the growing demand.
She said the department has started distributing face masks to people staying in evacuation centers.
Amid reports Taal ash fall may reach Laguna and Quezon, she said the department will likely expand the face mask distribution in these areas.
President Duterte recently announced the government will distribute free face masks "to people who can't afford" to protect themselves from Taal's ash fall. He also wanted to impose a price cap on the masks amid dismay over the alleged hoarding and overpricing of the products.
Pedestrians walking around Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City sport face masks as to protect themselves from the hazards brought by ash fall from the erupting Taal volcano on Sunday (ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN)
Health Assistant Secretary Maria Francia Laxamana said Metro Manila residents could use surgical masks instead of N95 masks since the ashfall is not as heavy as those falling in places near the volcano.
Laxamana explained that people in the high-risk areas of Batangas and Cavite should instead be given priority in receiving the N95 masks for ash fall protection.
“Huwag tayong mag-panic. Huwag na muna tayo mag-N95 dito sa Metro Manila. Ibigay muna natin sa mga kababayan sa areas ng Batangas at Cavite (Let us not panic. Let us not use N95 masks here in Metro Manila. Let's give them instead to our countrymen in need in the areas of Batangas and Cavite)," she said in the “Laging Handa” (Always Ready) press briefing in Malacañang.
Laxamana said some people in Metro Manila started panic buying N95 masks, leading to the dwindling supply of such products.
"Hindi ganoon katindi yung mga ash fall, so nagpanic lang ang mga tao nung nagbilihan ng N95, kaya sad to say that nagkawalaan ng stocks. ‘Yung mga dapat na bibigyan natin ng N95, ‘yun ang hindi, ‘yun ang nagkulang (The ashfall is not really heavy here so people just panicked and bought N95. Sad to say, the stocks have decreased, depleting stocks for those who should really be given N95 masks)," she said.
"’Yung N95 is really prescribed doon sa mga areas na inalis natin sa areas within the 14 kilometer radius, so sila yung first line na dapat gumamit talaga ng N95 (The N95 masks are really prescribed for people evacuated from the areas within the 14-kilometer radius. They are the first line who should really use the N95 masks)," she said.
Laxamana said the health department has started emergency purchases of N95 masks but admitted that they still need more supply to meet the growing demand.
She said the department has started distributing face masks to people staying in evacuation centers.
Amid reports Taal ash fall may reach Laguna and Quezon, she said the department will likely expand the face mask distribution in these areas.
President Duterte recently announced the government will distribute free face masks "to people who can't afford" to protect themselves from Taal's ash fall. He also wanted to impose a price cap on the masks amid dismay over the alleged hoarding and overpricing of the products.