Some sources of COVID-19 misinformation traced, reported -DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) has traced and reported some of the sources of misinformation about COVID-19, an official said Friday.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire also said the DOH has asserted its role as the Philippines' health authority, even in cases where "mixed signals" came from government officials themselves.

"We have been successful for some, we were able to trace the sources of this fake information and we were able to endorse them to proper authorities," Vergeire said at a webinar hosted by the US Embassy.

Asked about "mixed signals" coming from high-ranking government leaders, the official said the DOH has consistently provided the public with science-backed information.

"We like to think of it that DOH is the leader in the health sector. We are the ones being heard because we are from the health department and we always  give out facts and we always give out the truth regarding health," she said.

"We also explain it to our other counterparts in the other national agencies issuing out statements so that everybody will be guided," she said.

In one instance, the DOH advised the public that cloth masks, but not surgical or N95 masks, can be washed and reused. It made the clarification following no less than President Rodrigo Duterte's suggestion that masks could be disinfected by spraying them with Lysol or soaking them in gasoline.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/747945/doh-says-cloth-mask-can-be-washed-and-reused-warns-vs-using-gasoline/story/

Malacañang said Duterte was only joking.

In another case, the DOH had to reiterate the importance of face masks after lawyer Larry Gadon, who gained notoriety for the court cases he had filed and the causes he supports, was seen wearing one improperly.

"This is not a joking matter," Vergeire said at the time.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/751634/this-is-not-a-joking-matter-doh-reminds-public-that-experts-recommend-wearing-masks/story/

"Sana lahat ng tao naiintindihan nila kung ano po ang implikasyon kapag nagsasalita po sila sa public because people might be following them and this is not the right way to go. Magkakasakit po ang mga tao," she said.