Manila Mayor Isko Moreno shared some thoughts about the argument on face shields should still be required outside or not.
On his twitter account, Moreno posted a screenshot of a study saying how wearing face shields with face masks has “no significant improvement” compared to masks, alone.
“Both used together provided the best protection, although the combined protection was similar to surgical masks use alone,” said the research conducted by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
— Isko Moreno Domagoso (@IskoMoreno) June 17, 2021
While urging the public to wait for the Palace’s announcement regarding face shields, he also voiced out that face shields would cost a lot to some people who are earning the minimum wage.
“Iilang kilo rin ng bigas din [ang] mabibili sana. Wag sana tayo maging pabigat sa gastusin ng tao,” Moreno wrote.
Let’s wait for the Palace announcement today.
Some thoughts: Face shield costs money. Siguro ilan sa atin, di natin nararamdaman. Pero ang ordinaryong tao na kumikita ng minimum wage, iilang kilo rin ng bigas din mabibili sana. wag na sana tayo makapagpabigat sa gastusin ng tao.
— Isko Moreno Domagoso (@IskoMoreno) June 17, 2021
Earlier this month, the Department of Health (DOH) didn’t support the mayor’s call for its removal as the decision was based on science.
“There are many scientific studies showing that face shields in combination with face masks and more than 1-meter social distancing provide greater than 95 percent protection!” said Francisco Duque III in a text message to ABS-CBN news.
It was after Moreno stated during his Headstart interview that face shields could only be another huge blow to the poor.
“Gastos ‘yan sa utaw. Sa atin, ako siguro medyo maganda ang suweldo ko, hindi ko masyadong nararamdaman ‘yan pero yung ordinaryong manggagawa, medyo ano yan,” Moreno said.
In a tweet on June 17, Senate President Vicente Sotto III claimed that President Rodrigo Duterte has agreed that face shields should only be used in hospitals. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque attested to the statement.
However, Roque clarified later on that the policy on the use of face masks will remain unchanged until the President decides on the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
IATF stated that they decided that face shields will be required in enclosed or indoor spaces.