Category Archives: Health & Medicine

ALMOST EVERYONE EXEMPTED FROM MANDATORY WEARING OF FACE SHIELD

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – The Philippines’ Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Diseases (IATF) has mandated that all Filipinos leaving their homes should wear a face shield, in addition to the already-mandated wearing of face masks, as a strategy to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus.

But then, the Department of Health, a member of the IATF, has said that the wearing of face shields is not recommended for those with respiratory issues, or those who are having breathing difficulties when wearing the said protective gear.

Since it is assumed that most people are having breathing difficulties when wearing face shields (while already wearing face masks), we surmise that almost everyone would be exempted from the new IATF rule. The only people covered by the rule are probably those who consider wearing both a face mask and a face shield a fashion statement.

IATF NOW REQUIRES WEARING OF HEADBANDS/SUN VISORS IN PUBLIC

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said this week that the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has issued additional guidelines for all Filipinos to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Under the new guidelines, the wearing of headbands and sun visors will now be required whenever Filipinos leave their homes, regardless of what level of community quarantine they’re in. This is in addition to the wearing of face masks. Previously, protective gear was required only when people take public transportation or enter buildings, establishments and enclosed venues.

In a surprise inspection conducted by Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Debold Sinas in Divisoria, Metro Manila, he said that shoppers were pretty much following the new rules, as evidenced by the photo below.

MASK. HEADBAND. HUGAS.

Duque: No Dropping The Ball, Just Passing The Ball

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Health Secretary Francisco Duque was asked by President Duterte to address the accusation that he “dropped the ball” in the Philippines’ bid to procure some 10 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. So he did.

“There is no such thing as dropping the ball. Negotiations are ongoing. In fact Secretary Galvez signed a CDA (confidentiality data agreement) with Pfizer in November,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a virtual press briefing on Wednesday, December 16.

So, there is no dropping the ball. Just passing the ball.