After senior citizen dies at community pantry, DOH appeals to elderly: Don't go out yet

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Saturday appealed to elderly people not to go out of their houses to line up in community pantries.

Vergeire made the appeal after a senior citizen succumbed to a heart attack while falling in line at Angel Locsin's community pantry in Quezon City.

"We are on (modified enhanced community quarantine) so sana walang mga matatandang lumalabas muna para mapangalagaan [We are on MECQ so senior citizens should not go outside for their own safety]," Vergeire said at a Laging Handa public briefing.

On Friday, 67-year-old Rolando dela Cruz fainted and died while lining up at the community pantry organized by the actress in Barangay Holy Spirit. A balut vendor, Dela Cruz reportedly went to the venue and lined up past 2 a.m.

Locsin has apologized for the incident but Dela Cruz's family was not blaming anyone

Under an MECQ, senior citizens over 65 years old - along with people below 18 years old, with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women - are still not allowed to go out of their houses.

Vergeire said the benefits of community pantries could be highlighted without sacrificing health protocols against COVID-19.

"Siguro sana po ay let's show the benefits of what the community pantry can do for our citizens, but at the same time, ensuring na tayo lahat ay sumusunod sa protocols para wala tayong pagkakahawa-hawa sa mga ganitong events," she said.

(Let's show the benefits of what the community pantry can do for our citizens, but at the same time, let us ensure that all of us are following health protocols so we do not become infected in such events).

Local government officials should always stress the importance of wearing face masks and observing physical distancing, she added. -MDM, GMA News