DOH exec: Face shields use already resolved, optional under Alert Level 4

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday stressed that the use of face shields is optional in areas under Alert Level 4 and only mandatory in areas under Alert Level 5 following debates on its effectiveness.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire issued the remark when sought for comment on the statement of an aerosol expert that plexiglass barriers and face shields are a waste of resources.

“Ngayong itong face shields napagusapan na at naresolba na sa IATF na gagamitin lamang kapag Alert Level 4. This will be based on the discretion of the establishments and local governments,” Vergeire said during a Palace briefing.

(The face shields have been talked about and resolved in the IATF that it will only be used under alert level 4. This will be based on the discretion of establishments and local governments.)

“Kapag Alert Level 5, it’s going to be mandatory (it's mandatory under Alert Level 5),” she added.

In separate tweets, Prof. Luis Jimenez of the Colorado University said the Philippines is “well-represented in the bad examples of practices that waste resources but do not reduce transmission” as he cited the country’s use of plexiglass barriers and face shields.

Jimenez said plexiglass barriers have been shown to increase transmission while face shields are only useful if someone coughs in another individual’s face.

Philippines is well-represented in the bad examples of practices that waste resources but do NOT reduce transmission (or even increase it, like lateral plexiglas barriers), e.g.:https://t.co/OLhVveUuHy

— Prof. Jose-Luis Jimenez (@jljcolorado) January 9, 2022

And another example of bad practices in PH:https://t.co/jVTiuoWUtI

— Prof. Jose-Luis Jimenez (@jljcolorado) January 9, 2022

Meanwhile, Vergeire said the DOH has advised schools and establishments on the appropriate barriers to be used.

“Now as to the barriers in the different schools and different establishments, nakapagbigay abiso na rin po tayo na kailangang iyong appropriate na barrier na ginagamit. Hindi ‘yung sinasabi natin, nag cite na tayo ng instances where it will cause more harm than good,” she said.

(Now as to the barriers in the different schools and different establishments, we have given an advisory on how to appropriate the barrier. We have also cited instances where it will cause more harm than good.)

She said the DOH is currently monitoring the situation.

For his part, NTF special adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa maintained that face shields are helpful even if they are not completely effective.

Herbosa had exchanged dialogue with Jimenez on social platform Twitter after the former said Jimenez has “no expertise on disease epidemiology and pathogenesis.”

“Actually mali ‘yung nagsasabi na hindi effective ‘yung face shield kasi ang prinoprotektahan niyan ay ‘yung droplet spread. Kailangang-kailangan namin ‘yan sa ospital,” he told Super Radyo dzBB.

(Actually, people saying that face shields are ineffective are wrong because they protect against droplet spread. They are needed in the hospitals.)

“Ang sinasabi ang Omicron ay airborne so maliit ang chance makadagdag ng tulong. Mas importante ‘yung vaccine. So would you say, hindi effective, hindi entirely 100% totoo ‘yun. May kaonting gamit ‘yun,” he added.

(What they're saying is Omicron is airborne so there is little chance to add protection. Vaccination is more important. It's not 100% effective, that's true. But it is somewhat helpful.)

In October last year, the World Health Organization said there is no need for mandatory use of face shields even amid the possible entry of the Omicron.

It said that the virus is airborne and is transferred through close contact transmission, adding that what is important is observing social distancing, wearing face masks, and hygiene. — RSJ, GMA News