MANILA, Philippines Senator Richard Gordon on Friday backed the loosening of face shield protocols in
the country, describing the item as an accessory, not a necessity.
Theres always something behind it. Somebody manufacturing face shields, I dont know. I personally go out
with a mask, if I go to a hospital that where I use the face shield, Gordon said in an interview on
ABS-CBN News Channel.
Its really an accessory, it is not a necessity Its good to have that as an extra precaution but
I would leave it to the public to wear face shields and require it only in dangerous areas, he added
It was in December when the governments pandemic task force required people outside of their residences
to wear both face shields and face masks at all times.
Manila Mayor Francisco Isko Moreno Domagoso recently suggested that the mandatory face shield policy should already be dropped.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, however, said face shields offer an added layer of protection against COVID-19.
On Thursday, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said President Rodrigo Duterte agreed that face shields should only be worn in hospitals, which Malacañang later said is now considered a policy.
The Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has recommended to Duterte to require the wearing of face shields in enclosed or indoor spaces.
Face mask is enough
Gordon, who is also chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, said that the wearing of face masks is already sufficient.
I make sure that I wash my hands regularly and I make sure there are people who will remind me, around me, and my children always remind me that I should be careful…This (face shield) extra accessory, its just like an extra bumper in a car, the senator said.
In the first place there a problem with disposal, that plastic, he also noted.