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Actress and goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Antoinette Taus calls for the use of fabric masks over disposable ones as the latter continues to pollute the bodies of water in the Philippines.

On Instagram Tuesday evening, Taus explains that the incredibly high volume of medical waste has added to the ongoing global issue of plastic pollution.

Declaring, “Improper treatment and disposal of healthcare waste pose serious hazards for secondary disease transmission due to exposures to infectious agents among waste pickers, waste workers, health workers, patients, and the community in general where waste is improperly disposed.”

She added that there are ways the public can help the Philippine oceans without compromising safety protocols amid the coronavirus pandemic such as: avoiding the use of gloves for the general public, choosing reusable fabric masks instead of disposable ones, separating contaminated medical waste from regular household trash, and limiting consumption of unnecessary waste.

Antoinette cited that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) does not recommend gloves for the general public as it gives people a false sense of security.

Arguing, “'Failing to change them often is the same thing as failing to wash your hands.”

Furthermore, by segregating waste properly, it helps garbage collectors and waste management officers to dispose of items properly.

Read her full post below:

View this post on Instagram

Missing the #PhilippineSeas oh so much...💙🇵🇭 Swipe 👈 for some important images explained below. Our ocean is suffering in so many ways and one of them is due to all of our #COVID19 disposable masks and gloves. This devastatingly high volume of medical waste adds to the ongoing global issue of #PlasticPollution. 🥺🌊 #BeatPlasticPollution #ForNature Improper treatment and disposal of healthcare waste poses serious hazards of secondary disease transmission due to exposures to infectious agents among waste pickers, waste workers, health workers, patients, and the community in general where waste is improperly disposed.⁣ ☠️ #COVID19 #PlanetCORA _________________ WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP: . ❌ The Center for Disease Control (CDC) does not recommend gloves for the general public, citing that they give people a false sense of security and "failing to change them often is the same thing as failing to wash your hands." . 😷 However, the CDC does recommend wearing masks, and recent research indicates that masks can significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19. Please choose reusable fabric masks (if you are not significantly exposed or a medical professional), and no matter which type you choose, please handle them carefully and dispose of them properly. . ♻️ Separate all your used and contaminated medical waste from your regular household trash. Make sure to LABEL your medical waste and, if possible, place them in YELLOW containers for proper disposal by community garbage collectors and waste management. . ⛔ Limit your consumption of unnecessary waste. Avoid single use plastics when ordering take out and delivery and make sure to segregate and recycle all used packaging. Most reusable items like utensils, straws and cups are already available at home. . 📲 FOLLOW & LEARN MORE: @PlanetCORA @UNEP @CleanSeasPilipinas _________________ #WeAreCORA #COVID19ph #BeatPollution #MedicalWaste #CleanSeas #CleanSeasPilipinas #WildForLife #BreakFreeFromPlastic #ActNow #GlobalGoals #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #AntoinettesAdventures #IslandPrincessToni #PlanetOrPlastic #iChoosePlanet Medical Waste Photos: Naomi Brannan / Oceans Asia

A post shared by Antoinette Taus (@antoinettetaus) on Jun 30, 2020 at 2:59am PDT

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