MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – The Philippines is probably one among the few countries whose citizens still wear face masks. Never mind that the government has made it optional, except in high-risk environments. Never mind that the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the coronavirus is no longer a global health emergency.

Case in point: the anchors of one of the most-listened to radio stations wear their face mask when on the air. Never mind that they’re in isolation inside the broadcast studio.

Is this a case of overreaction, unfounded fear, or do they get stipends from the Health Department for being poster children of health safety?

Or are they afraid that their listeners might catch what they have, or vice versa? After all, no study has yet been conducted to determine if viruses are transmitted through the air waves.