Go tells IATF: Listen to experts (2)

We wanted this crisis to end but this will not end if we are not going to be compassionate towards other people. If it is not necessary, please do not go out and gather in public places

Senate Health and Demography Committee chairman Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has asked the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to consult more experts in crafting policies to improve the COVID-19 response.

“We are open to the suggestions of the doctors, economists, and more experts who want to help. Let us hear the concerns of various groups like the medical community,” Go told the IATF members during the emergency meeting on Saturday where he was invited as the Senate health panel chair.

Over the weekend, medical workers and various doctors held a press conference asking the government to implement enhanced community quarantine for two weeks as the healthcare workers are already overwhelmed with the surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.

We are open to the suggestions of the doctors, economists, and more experts who want to help. Let us hear the concerns of various groups like the medical community.

Go told the IATF members to consider and balance the interests of all sectors including the capability of the government to assist the poorest of the poor and vulnerable sectors.

“No one wants to go back to ECQ but if we are not going to help each other, we will be forced to impose stricter guidelines to stop the spread of the disease,” he said.

“Let us consider giving assistance if our funds can still accommodate it in case we need to stop all the business operations,” he added.

On the other hand, Go appealed to the IATF to impose stricter protocols and enforce minimum health standards to prevent the further spread of the disease.

“We should also strictly enforce guidelines for minimum health standards and provide free masks for the poor,” Go said.

Let us consider giving assistance if our funds can still accommodate it in case we need to stop all the business operations.

“Even if we want to open the economy, let us strengthen the guidelines and we need to protect the people. The lives and the welfare of each Filipino should be our top priority,” he added.

He also said the procurement of locally made masks can create jobs and can also save lives.

The senator reiterated his appeal to the public to follow health protocols and asked them to cooperate with the government in its fight against COVID-19.

“We wanted this crisis to end but this will not end if we are not going to be compassionate towards other people. If it is not necessary, please do not go out and gather in public places,” he said.

“If you need to buy essential goods, it is better if one person will go out to buy it to prevent further transmission of the virus and to protect your household,” he reminded the public.

Go said the public should not be complacent and they should be reminded that violation of these rules will compromise the lives of other people.