In the Philippines, the country with the longest and strictest lockdowns in the world, face shields are no longer required in most locations. Moreover, the Philippines was the only country in the world requiring the use of both facemasks and face shields.
The Philippine government will no longer require the use of face shields in areas under Alert Levels 1 to 3.
“Alert Levels” are just another moniker for the various General Community Quarantines the government previously used. However, if you put lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig. We’re still under lockdown in “paradise.”
“FACE SHIELDS FINALLY SCRAPPED IN MOST PHILIPPINE LOCATIONS”
NO MORE FACE SHIELDS!
President Duterte first scrapped the face shield requirement this past June. He then flip-flopped on the issue days later. So-called “medical experts” in the Philippines, who evidently know more than any other scientists on the planet, persuaded Duterte to change his mind.
However, Duterte recently received a recommendation from the Inter-Agency Task Force, IATF, to lift the face shield requirement. The IATF is appointed by the President. They issue regulations that deal with the pandemic. All recommendations must be approved by Duterte.
Duterte made the face shield announcement this past Monday, November 15, 2021.
It’s almost been a year since this asinine regulation has been in effect. While I don’t have a problem wearing a facemask, the face shields were hot and always fogged up on me.
Face shields are “voluntary” in areas under Alert Levels 1 to 3. This includes Metro Manila now under Alert Level 2.
The Philippine Dept. of Transportation reports that face shields are no longer required in public transport under Alert level 3 and lower.
In areas under Alert Level 4, “local government units (LGUs) and private establishments are given discretion to mandate the use of face shields.”
“For alert level 5 and granular lockdowns, the use of face shields in community settings shall be mandatory,” said the IATF resolution.
However, some city leaders, including Davao City’s Mayor Sara Duterte, already scrapped the face shield requirement. Manila and Iloilo City mayors did the same.
But those so-called “medical experts” in the Philippines are against the lifting of the face shield requirement. However, with national elections looming next May, the face shield ban might actually stick this time.
Face shields have not been very popular with the general public. In fact, a recent poll shows that only 13% of Filipinos have been satisfied with the way the government has handled the pandemic in general.
With reporting from Rappler.com
Photos courtesy of JC Gellidon @ Unsplash