The Department of Health discouraged the use of personal air purifiers, saying it could give false security against COVID-19.
“Sinabi na po natin dati ‘yan, na wala po ‘yang ebidensya. Bagamat hindi po ito nakaka-cause ng harm sa isang tao, pero hindi rin po siya nakakapagbigay ng proteksyon laban sa COVID-19,” she said in a briefing.
(We have said it before that there is no evidence to support that. Therefore, although this will not cause harm, it will also not give protection against COVID-19.)
“It will give that false security to our kababayans na baka magkaroon ng complacency because of this and baka lalo pa tayong magkaroon ng impeksyon,” she added.
(It will give that false security to our countrymen. There might be complacency because of this and might lead to more infections.)
Earlier, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia ordered all drivers and conductors of public utility vehicles (PUVs) in the province to use personal air purifiers amid the pandemic.
The memorandum dated August 13, 2021, became effective on Monday, August 16, 2021.
“Effective August 16, 2021, all drivers and conductors of Public Utility Vehicles are required to wear personal purifiers at all times during their trip,” the memorandum read.
Cebu LGU also tasked the Philippine National Police and Highway Patrol Group “to assist in the strict implementation” of the mandatory use of personal air purifiers.
Personal air purifiers give false security vs. COVID-19: DOH
Meanwhile, Piston Cebu called the move a “band-aid” solution to the increasing number of cases in the province.
“Ang kining air purifier usa ka band-aid solution lamang. Ang kinahanglan karon sa katawhan papaspasan ang libre ug luwas nga bakuna ug libreng swab test. Dapat pud pakusgan ang mass testing ug contact tracing, ug himuong libre ang pagpatambal sa mag-positive sa COVID,” said Greg Perez, chairperson of PISTON-Cebu.
(The air purifier is a mere band-aid solution. The people need now to hasten the distribution of free and safe vaccines and free swab testing. Mass testing and contact tracing should also be strengthened, and treatment for COVID-19 positive patients should be free.)
They added that now that air purifiers are mandatory, they should be made free and provided by the government as this is just an additional expense for ordinary drivers and conductors.
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