An official of Davao City Covid-19 Task Force told Dabawenyos to be accountable of their own safety now that wearing of face mask outdoors is voluntary.
This specially that Covid-related deaths in Davao City is still considered by health authorities as “high.”
“I would like to remind everyone an taas gihapon atong number of deaths that is why it said voluntary ikaw gihapon any mag decide. If you think na safe ang usa ka lugar even if open space and if you think high risk ka then wear your face mask,” said Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of Covid Task Force, over Davao City Disaster Radio on Tuesday.
However, she reported that active cases of Covid-19 this week is lower than a thousand and the positivity rate is at 10 percent.
“The number of death is telling us naa gihapon si Covid-19. Kung dili man nato ma prevent any infection which is difficult kay dili nato makita any virus now pa na voluntary and face mask at least ma prevent nato any kamatayon and in order to prevent death avail our vaccines and booster doses,” she said.
Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte has ordered on Monday that the city will comply with the Executive Order (EO) allowing optional wearing of facemasks outdoor indicated in the provisions of the Executive Order No. O3 issued by Malacañang.
Dr. Ashley Lopez, head of the City Health Office (CHO) said pending the minimum public health standards (MPHS) amendment from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and the existing city ordinance related to this will be put on hold.
Malacanang issued on Monday Executive Order No. 03 “allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor settings and reiterating the continued implementation of the Minimum Public Health Standards during the State of Public Health Emergency relative to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Schlosser said it’s more on the economic aspect why the city supported the EO of the President.
“While reading the EO I think any pinata naay weight is the economic a spec and part of opening the economy is to go back to the usual activities pre-pandemic. Experts said wearing if face masks is puede siya i-do away for the freedom to move in an activity,” she said.