PUBLIC URGED TO WEAR APPROPRIATE FACE MASK

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio is asking the public to wear appropriate face masks after noticing that majority are using reusable face masks.

In a discussion with medical consultants, Duterte-Carpio said cotton-type and reusable face masks, which is currently being used by majority of Dabawenyos due to the shortage of surgical masks, will not guarantee protection from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), adding that it even poses risk of getting infected.

“Dili siya maka-filter og kagaw (It cannot filter virus),” the mayor said in a radio interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio on Tuesday, March 24.

Duterte-Carpio, on Monday evening, March 23, issued Executive Order (EO) No. 20, providing additional guidelines in the implementation of community quarantine beginning 5 a.m. of Thursday, March 26 until 11:59 p.m. of Sunday, April 19, unless further extended, modified or withdrawn.

Section 1 of the EO states that “Face masks are mandatory when going out in public. Face masks with face shield are encouraged”.

However, the mayor admitted there is confusion as to the implementation.

“Dunay confusion on the ground sa mga tao nga ga-implement sa policies about sa face mask. (There is confusion on the ground with regards to the implementation of the policy the face mask),” Duterte-Carpio said.

Initially, the mayor said medical consultants said there is no need to wear face mask while in an open area.

“Para klaro nalang tanan, pag face mask nalang tanan (So that there will be no confusion, lets advise them to wear masks) But warn people. Use the correct face masks,” she said.

Among the masks the mayor recommended are N95 masks or the face masks the city government distributes through the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO).

The city mayor said the CTTMO is distributing free masks to public commuters not wearing one while riding in mass transports.

As of press time, she said CTTMO already distributed an estimated 8,000 masks since Friday, March 20.

The mayor also suggested the use of face masks with pockets or filters or barriers can be inserted.

She added the public can use eco-bags as filter, as these are water resistant.

She also reminded the public to avoid touching their masks to prevent the spread of the virus which are passable through physical contact.

Para klaro nalang tanan, pag face mask nalang tanan. But warn people. Use the correct face masks. SARA Z. DUTERTECARPIO Davao City Mayor