OPEN FORUM BOX: Is it a wise move to ditch the wearing of face masks? 

For the last couple of years or so, the face mask has become part of everyday wardrobe.

Essentially, going out without a face mask is like not wearing any shirt or blouse–okay, it is a bit of an exaggeration–but you get the point.

We have been forced to wear face masks as part of the health and safety protocol to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus disease (Covid). A number of measures have been put in place just to ensure people follow the face mask mandate.

After 2 years and several months, the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) recommends the removal of face mask mandates in outdoor settings, limiting the mask mandate to those indoors.

While the removal of the mask mandate bodes well for the economy and tourism, here comes the Department of Health (DOH) is not keen on letting people take their face masks off.

In a message to reporters, DOH OIC Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the position of the health department is for people to continue wearing face masks.

The IATF called for easing of the mask mandate following recent studies that removing mask mandates could help in the revival of tourism.

About four days ago, on Sept. 7, 2022, President Marcos approved in principle the IATF proposal to ease the mask mandate.

It is reported that the pilot testing for the relaxed face mask mandate will be towards the end of the year.

The question arising from this situation: Is it a wise move to ditch the wearing of face masks?

We don’t wish to question the wisdom behind the decision of the president to accept the IATF’s recommendation to ease the face mask mandate.

Yet, there are still things needed to be considered.

The health authorities like the DOH says people should still wear face masks.

The IATF believes it is time to help the tourism industry recover and we can do so by easing the face mask wearing rules and make it mandatory indoors and optional when a person is outdoors.

The reality is that the pandemic is far from over and easing of face mask mandate may be too early. Haste makes waste as they say.

Let’s listen what the medical practitioners have to say about the face mask mandate and prevent a repeat of the surge in cases like what we experienced before.