MANILA, Philippines — Now that masks are voluntary, pediatricians suggested that schools continue to encourage students to wear masks in classrooms and inform them of the benefits of wearing them.
At a press conference on Tuesday, November 8, the Pediatric Society of the Philippines (PPS) and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society of the Philippines (PIDSP) proceeded to wear face masks in study rooms as the Philippines continues to ease pandemic restrictions.
“WEPP and PIDSP reiterate that while face-to-face learning has great benefits, the threat of COVID-19 in vaccinated and unvaccinated youth persists and therefore the use of face masks in closed school services will need to continue to lessen the threat. of SARS. -Transmission of CoV-2,” said PPS President Dr. Anna S. Florentina, when reading its articulation with the PIDSP.
On October 28, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 7 lifting the mask mandate that has been in place since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. A few days later, the Department of Education (DepEd) said so allowing the optional use of masks in internal study rooms in accordance with the president’s order.
At a press conference on Monday, Nov. 7, DepEd spokesman Michael Poa said the company only tracked EO 7, but that didn’t mean academics were being asked not to wear face masks.
“I will stick to what the vice president, tayo po ay sumunod sa (let’s continue with) EO 7, said. We continue to maintain our leadership with DOH and EO 7. Hindi po natin sinabi na’ wag magmask (We’re not saying they shouldn’t wear masks), it’s up to parents, guardians,” Poa said when asked if DepEd would continue to inspire mask wearing among students.
Health experts have continually reminded the public that masks not only oppose COVID-19, but also oppose other diseases.
Students still wear face masks at Eusebio High School in Pasig Cit. The school’s principal, Gilbert Inocencio, told Rappler that they inspire students to wear face masks in internal study rooms as it adds another layer of coverage opposite to COVID-19 and other illnesses.
PIDSP President Dr. Fatima Gimenez said the goal of her council is to remind the public that COVID-19 is still here.
“We would like to warn other people about this, because as doctors, we want to inform them about the consequences of COVID-19,” he said.
On Friday, November 4, the Department of Health reported that about 3,900 young people between the ages of 12 and 17 were infected with COVID-19 from September 1 to November 3, since Philippine schools resumed in-person classes after more than two years. Forced campus closures. – Rappler. com