Photo courtesy Benar News
FILIPINOS should stay vigilant and adhere to the implemented health guidelines to avoid the further spread of the virus, such as social distancing and observing proper hygiene, despite the recent recommendation of Inter-Agency Task Force of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to make wearing of face masks outdoors or open spaces voluntary.
“Alam niyo, wala pong part two ang buhay ng isang tao. Kapag namatay ka, patay ka na talaga. Huwag natin hayaan na tumaas na naman ang kaso at magdusa na naman po ang kababayan nating mahihirap,” Senator Bong Go said following the recommendation of Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to relax the mandatory use of facemasks for low-risk individuals in low-risk settings. He however clarified that he does not oppose the idea which was made out of extensive studies based on science. Go chairs the Senate Committee on Health.
The senator then reiterated that face masks are still necessary especially when in close proximity with others, to help curb the further spread of the virus, saying, “Pinag-aaralan naman yan at unti-unti naman tayong mag-a-adjust. Kung well-ventilated naman po ang lugar, voluntary na lang po ang pagsuot ng face mask. Sang-ayon naman po ako dito ngunit hinihikayat ko pa rin po ang kababayan natin (na magsuot ng face mask) dahil buhay po ang nakasalalay dito.”
“Mabuti na ‘yung nag-iingat tayo habang andyan pa ang banta ng kalabang hindi naman nakikita. Huwag tayong magkumpiyansa. Habang nandiyan pa ang COVID-19, delikado pa rin,” reminded Go. “Kahit na payagan na tayong hindi magsuot ng masks habang nasa labas o sa mga ligtas na lugar, ugaliin pa rin nating maging responsable upang maproteksyunan ang sarili at ang ating komunidad laban sa anumang sakit o pangamba,” he added.
Meanwhile, Go renewed his appeal to the unvaccinated yet eligible Filipinos to participate in the national inoculation drive, underscoring that vaccines would significantly strengthen one’s defense system and contribute to the country’s speedy return to normalcy.
“Patuloy din ang aking panawagan sa mga kwalipikado ngunit hindi pa bakunado na magpaturok na, pati ng booster shots, para protektado kayo laban sa COVID-19. Bukod sa pag-iingat, bakuna ang tanging solusyon para makabalik tayo sa normal na pamumuhay. Kapag narating na natin ang herd immunity, kaya nalang tayo tuluyang magluwag ng patakaran,” Go stressed.
To ensure that more Filipinos are well-protected from the virus, the senator then pushed for continued safe and effective vaccine rollout to more far-flung communities.
“Mga kababayan, nakikita na po natin ang mga indikasyon na malapit na nating malampasan ang pandemyang dulot ng COVID-19. Huwag lang po tayong maging kampante. Mag-ingat at magtulungan tayong lahat upang masigurong walang maiiwan sa ating muling pagbangon bilang nagkakaisa at mas matatag na bansa,” he concluded.
