DOH not keen on using scare campaign vs. COVID-19

The Department of Health (DOH) thumbed down suggestions to use "scare campaigns" similar to those being employed against cigarette smoking in a bid to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in the Philippines.

In a statement, the DOH said contracting COVID-19 is not similar to getting diseases due to smoking.

"COVID is different such that the element of proactive decision is absent, meaning nobody 'wants' or 'chooses' to get COVID because most people are already knowledgeable of its gravity and accompanying dangers," it said.

"This is why deterrent campaigns to scare people about COVID are not likely to work because the public is already scared to begin with," it added.

The DOH said it  instead launched the BIDA campaign to remind and equip the public with preventive measures they can make to protect themselves from the virus.

The mnemonic BIDA stands for:

B - Bawal walang mask!
I - I-sanitize ang mga kamay, iwas hawak sa mga bagay!
D - Dumistansya ng isang metro!
A - Alamin ang totoong impormasyon!

As of July 10, the Philippines recorded a total of 52,914 COVID-19 cases with 13,230 recoveries and 1,360 deaths. —LDF, GMA News