key: cord-0839948-lzj4lrf7
authors: Cordero, Dalmacito A
title: To wear or not to wear… that is the question! The need for ‘one voice’ in implementing health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic
date: 2021-06-30
journal: J Public Health (Oxf)
DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab261
sha: 81688bd03f7340307cbb9c97e6cb8bebb7e92d58
doc_id: 839948
cord_uid: lzj4lrf7

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To wear or not to wear . . . that is the question! The need for 'one voice' in implementing health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic

To the editor In a recent correspondence, the author argued that the current situation from the ground has already been seeing shifting attitude of many Filipinos toward the government's vaccination program. There is a significant increase of confidence among the public in getting inoculated and this development is crucial in hastening the achievement of the so-called herd immunity. 1 This observation is indeed valid and evident as shown by the recent data concerning the increasing number of those who were vaccinated already. As of 17 June 2021, the Philippines has administered at least 7 045 380 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that is enough to have vaccinated about 3.3% of the country's population. The country averaged about 135 236 doses administered each day. However, at that rate, it will take further 160 days to administer enough doses for another 10% of the population. 2 As the problem on vaccine hesitancy is gradually decreasing, another issue that may conflict with achieving herd immunity is the government o cials' unclear policy on practicing health protocol. Since last December 2020, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has made it mandatory for people to wear full face shields together with face masks to e ectively lessen the transmission of COVID-19. 3 Just recently, President Rodrigo Duterte mentioned in his regular meeting with the IATF that face shield use should be limited to hospitals. He was quoted then by Senate President Vicente Sotto III in a tweet. On the contrary, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III believes that the Department of Health can still appeal to the IATF that the wearing of face shields is still mandatory. This caused a lot of confusion from the public since they have di erent reasons in justifying if it is still needed to wear or not to wear face shields anywhere. Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, an OCTA Research fellow, said that face shields can still provide an additional 9% protection against COVID-19. It should be noted that the IATF should be the one to recommend first to the President such health policy. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque finally clarified that, despite the President's most recent remarks, there will be no change in the face shield rule until after the Chief Executive decides on a recommendation of the IATF. The government face shield policy has been characterized by vagueness and contradictions. 4 After having pointed out this recent issue on minimum health protocols, this paper suggests that there should only be 'one voice' that will be heard by the public concerning policies to avoid such confusion and misinformation. Being the highest o cial in the country and the one o cially approving the recommended policies, the President should be that 'one voice' to guide the flock. The problem is that he sometimes speaks spontaneously without thinking first and as influenced by his emotions. The tendency, therefore, falls on the other o cials is to justify his claims and make alibis as always practiced by the presidential spokesperson. It is important to remember that health protocols or any policies are very crucial since these dictates our goal toward achieving public health. We cannot a ord to sacrifice public safety with the usual 'part of the personality' reason to justify any government o cial's mistakes. This is also the reason why all the cabinet members and o cials surrounding the chief executive must be freed from selfish interest and should embody the virtues of truth and justice. If the shepherd receives enough wise support and even 'honest corrections' from other constituents, then avoiding such inconsistent policies can be prevented. Thus, the 'one voice' will always be clear for the sheep to hear and follow, without confusion.

From hesitancy to confidence: Filipinos' shifting attitude toward COVID-19 vaccination program