Hospital group says lifting mandatory face mask use indoors 'premature'

The head of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) on Thursday said allowing the optional wearing of face masks in indoor spaces at the current situation is “premature” as it may give the wrong notion to the public that the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

Pending the release of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s executive order, PHAPI president Dr. Jose de Grano said the voluntary use of face mask indoors may result in the public being complacent against the still-prevalent COVID-19.

“Sa amin po, it’s still parang ang tingin namin ay napaaga, premature. Right now, baka magkaron tayo ng conception na libre na tayo, na because voluntary na ‘yan, ay isipin ng mga tao na wala na ang COVID,” he said on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

(For us, we think it's premature. It might give a conception that we are already free and that because it's voluntary, people may think that COVID-19 is gone.)

“Pero sa katotohanan po, mataas pa rin ang kaso natin. 20,000 plus pa rin ang active cases natin at ayun nga, every day, more than 1,000 to 2,000 pa rin ang nagiging daily cases natin,” he added.

(But in reality, the number of cases is still high. We still have 20,000 plus active cases, and more than 1,000 to 2,000 daily cases.)

Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said Thursday that new COVID-19 infections in the country may increase from 2,500 to 18,000 daily in November or December if people discontinue wearing their face masks.

De Grano said that should there be a COVID-19 surge because of the voluntary masking, there might be a possibility that hospitals would not be able to handle it due to lack of manpower.

“Right now, low risk pa tayo at kokonti pa lang ang hospital utilization… Pero ‘pag nagkaron po ulit ng surge, puwedeng hindi kayanin ng ating mga hospitals kasi alam niyo naman, may problema tayo sa manpower at sa healthcare workers,” he said.

(Right now, we are still at low risk and the hospital utilization is still low... But if there is another surge, our hospitals may not be able to handle it because we have a problem with manpower and healthcare workers.)

He also said the country is still not ready to ease the face mask use nationwide, but since the President already decided on the matter, people should just decide for themselves whether or not it would be good to take off their masks.

De Grano also called for continued adherence to the minimum public health standards, particularly the wearing of face mask use indoors and outdoors.

DOH earlier maintained people will be more protected against COVID-19 if they use more layers of protection such as masking, vaccination, physical distancing, proper ventilation, sanitation, and taking care of their health.  —KBK, GMA News