Wear face masks made of thin fabric, Roque tells joggers

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday suggested that joggers should wear face masks made of breathable fabric.

Roque gave the advice after the World Health Organization (WHO) said last week that people should not wear face masks when exercising as masks may reduce the ability to breathe comfortably.

“Ako po [ay] nagdya-jogging. Gamitin ninyo na lang iyong manipis na face mask kasi kung napapansin ninyo, paiba-iba ang sinusuot kong face mask,” he said in a televised briefing.

“Iyong aking isang face mask na binigay ng mga katutubo, minsan ko lang ginagamit kasi dalawang tela, mahirap huminga. So pag-jogging ko, iyong pinakamanipis na tela ang aking ginagamit na face mask.”

The Philippine government mandated that people wear face masks when outside of their homes as a precautionary measure to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.  

However, the WHO said the sweat a person produces while exercising could soak the mask.

A mask can also make it difficult for the person to breathe and promote the growth of microorganisms.

According to the WHO, the most important preventive measure during exercise was to maintain a physical distance of at least one meter from others. — DVM, GMA News