Ninang still prefers giving away peso bills for Christmas amid COVID-19

Jinky Ordoñez Sarmiento, a godparent to many, shared on Thursday that her family strived to get new banknotes to give away for Christmas amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to Saleema Refrain’s report on “24 Oras,” Sarmiento saw this as extra protection against the virus.

“Ang importante kung malutong yung pera iwas din na marami na siyang humawak. Pag bago kasi ang pera at least ikaw pa lang yung unang hahawak,” Sarmiento said.

She said she will also implement strict COVID-19 protocols among her godchildren.

“Naka-face shield, naka-mask, at may alcohol talaga akong ihahanda kung sakali man. Kung hindi nila gagawin, walang pamasko,” Sarmiento said.

A study by the Australian Center for Disease Preparedness showed that the virus may stay in banknotes for 28 days, longer than its 17-day survivability on other surfaces.

However, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) advised the public to disinfect their hands, not the banknotes.  

“Dini-discourage po natin ang pag-spray ng alcohol. Once na nai-spray ng alcohol, you are actually starting to lower the lifespan,” BSP Deputy Director Grace Malic said.

“Pagkatapos na maghawak ng pera, siguraduhin mo lang na naghugas ng kamay at nagsanitize,” she added.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF,GMA News