For the elderly and those with comorbidities, I genuinely agree with the health department that wearing of face masks in crowded places should be encouraged. Perhaps, we are still the only country in Asia where the coronavirus or Covid-19 is still much around based on the statistic of the Department of Health (DOH), which recorded a positivity rate of 7.6 percent.
SunStar Cebu reported that the health department recorded an increase in the daily average Covid-19 cases last week at 341 from 278 during the week prior. Positivity rate refers to the percentage of people who test positive out of the number of people tested during a certain period.
DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire stated on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, that the country’s hospitalization rate, which is one of the considerations for the imposition of stricter health protocols, remains manageable. Hence, there is no need for the mandatory re-imposition of wearing face masks.
Me, I still prefer to wear a face mask in public or crowded places. I do not mind being mocked by friends, considering most people no longer wear face masks in public. In airlines like PAL and Cebu Pacific, wearing a face mask inside the airplane is mandatory.
On the mandatory requirement of presenting a vaccination card, I think we are the only country that strictly enforces the presentation of the vaccination card against Covid-19 for returning Filipinos coming from other countries. I am not certain though if our Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) also requires this vaccination card for tourists.
The last time we were in Bangkok, the Thai government no longer required the vaccination card for inbound tourists. But our BOQ still requires the vaccination card for returning Filipinos, which some of my friends find unnecessary and discriminatory, especially to those who were not vaccinated for health reasons.
In Melbourne, Australia, the Australian government no longer requires tourists, visitors or returning Australians to present a vaccination card upon entering the airport terminal. The Australian government is however very strict on contraband and prohibited items like food and meat products.
Wearing of face mask is not anymore mandatory or encouraged in Australia. However, there are still those who choose to wear a face mask in public places like inside the factory outlets or malls, as we call it here. This only shows that there are still those who are much conscious, if not wary, of the effect of Covid-19.
We all know, of course, that prevention is better than the cure. With the unpredictable weather, like a hot sunny day in the morning and suddenly showers or downpour in the afternoon, we, particularly the elderly and those with comorbidities, should all be watchful.