US doctor says wearing masks bad for kids
I still prefer to wear masks for my and my family’s safety since I’m always outside our home
Daily TribuneI still prefer to wear masks for my and my family’s safety since I’m always outside our home
The new government mask policy has been generally met with approval, especially from the tourism and business sector, a Filipino-American molecular biologist is now pushing for extending the mandate to schools.
On Monday, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order 3 which makes mask-wearing optional in outdoor settings.
On the day it took effect, however, many Filipinos were still seen keeping their masks on outside their homes.
"I still prefer to wear masks for my and my family's safety since I'm always outside our home," said tricycle driver John Bello in the vernacular.
Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government reminded local government units that the order applies only in outdoor settings.
"The use of masks in indoor public and private establishments and public conveyances shall continue to be enforced, especially now that cases are on the uptick," Abalos said.
Boost to tourism
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco lauded Executive Order 3 making the wearing of masks in outdoor settings.
"The order is a welcome development especially as empirical data shows that in other economies in Asia, Europe and North America where stringent health protocols were lifted, this resulted in more favorable economic conditions, an increase in tourist arrivals, and a faster recovery of their respective tourism portfolios," Frasco said.
She said they are optimistic that the Philippines will gradually catch up with its neighbors in the ASEAN region, saying the new policy will build more confidence in travel, spur economic activity, and enhance people-to-people connectivity in and around the country.
"With the President's EO and hopefully, the eventual recalibration of all remaining restrictions, the country will be able to strike the necessary balance between protecting lives and promoting livelihood.
Our prospects for recovery are much brighter with the Philippines' signal to the world that we are open, we are ready, and we are moving forward," she said.
Businessmen upbeat
Go Negosyo chairperson Joey Concepcion said giving citizens the option to wear masks outdoors would mean great news for incoming tourists.
"What we really wanted is to bring more tourists. No one will visit your area or tourist destination if masks are required outdoors, it's not fun to be in the Philippines anymore. But tourists, I think, would understand if it is required indoors," Concepcion said during the virtual Pandesal Forum on Tuesday.
"We have to save the tourism sector. Many people want to come to the Philippines, so let them be and enjoy the outdoors without wearing a mask. Their stay and money will go to waste," he added.
Concepcion said everyone is learning how to cope with the virus, noting that most organizers of gatherings in hotels, such as major conventions, are requiring antigen testing.
"I attended a wedding and since they have undergone antigen testing, everybody is not wearing masks at the reception and wanted to see each other's face and relatively, everyone comes out safe. This is how we must live a normal life and we cannot live in fear anymore. That's why vaccine and booster shots are important," Concepcion stressed.
No masks for students, please
During the same forum, organized by the 83-year-old Kamuning Bakery, a Filipino-American priest and micro-biologist suggested that it's about time to impose the same mandate on schools, noting that wearing masks "brings psychological effects to growing kids."
Father Nicanor Robles Austriaco cited a study by American physician Dr. Leana Wen, stating that masking stunted her toddler's social development.
Fr. Austriaco said Dr. Wen supported mask wearing during the pandemic but changed her stance two months ago after her four-year-old boy was discovered to have developmental delays.
"Masking has harmed our son's language development and limiting both kid's extracurriculars and social interaction would negatively affect their childhood," Austriaco said, quoting the disclosure of Dr. Wen.
Austriaco said the government should consider taking off masks in schools.
"I can say that it is not even face-to-face learning, but a mask-to-mask education. We must move from mask-to-mask to real face-to-face education for the sake of our children. And since data showed that masking is not that effective, we should be willing to move from there as soon as possible. They are our future and let's not allow them to be continuously hurt by masking," Austriaco stressed.
To attain this, the priest-biologist encourages all citizens to get vaccinated and acquire booster shots.
"However, at some point, we need to acknowledge that some of our kababayans have chosen not to be vaccinated or boosted. Then, they will have to learn to live with the consequences of their choices. At this point, we need to completely return to the old normal," he said.
PAULA ANTOLIN