Malacañang and the Department of Health (DOH) have opposed the belief of Attorney Larry Gadon regarding face masks.
In the viral photos in social media, Gadon was seen wearing a face shield with the face mask glued to the shield without actually covering his nose and mouth.
“I don’t believe in masks outdoors. Face shield is okay. Masks may be good for small enclosed places like elevators or small conference rooms,” Gadon stated.
However, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire emphasized that “this is not a joking matter. Alam ng mga tao, lahat, may mga namamatay, may mga nagkakasakit. Nagsusuffer ang economy (People know that there are those who die and get infected. The economy is suffering). And the only way to go for us to fight this situation or to overcome this situation is lahat tayo magtulong-tulungan (we should help each other).
Usec. Vergeire also pointed out how such careless statements will only make it worse not only for the economy but most especially for the medical frontliners,
“So ‘yung mga ganitong statements are not helping us at all. Nakakaawa yung mga healthcare workers natin, kung sakaling magkakaroon ng pagsunod ang mga tao dito sa mga sinasabi ng nagsabi nito.(So these kind of statements are not helping us at all. Our healthcare workers will gravely suffer if people will follow such an opinion).”
Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has stated that Gadon is “not a doctor” who raised “his personal opinion”. Sec. Roque pointed out that it was the experts who said that almost 90% of transmission can be reduced by wearing face masks and face shields. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
