CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Contrary to public's belief, the Department of Health (DOH) is not recommending the use of face masks for everybody.

DOH-Central Luzon Medical Officer V Leilani Mangulabnan said face masks are only recommended for those who have existing sickness such as common flu, those who take care of sick people, and people recovering from sickness.

"We are having a shortage of face masks due to wrong public perception that is caused by lack of proper information and that is what we are trying to address now," she said.

Although the wearing of a face mask can help protect one's self from various viral diseases, Mangulabnan said the practice of good hygiene, especially proper handwashing, is still the best armor against the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD).

If one decides to wear a face mask for everyday use, Mangulabnan advised that surgical masks, not N95, is more appropriate.

"There is also a proper way of wearing surgical masks that we should be mindful of: the blue part must be facing outward," she said.