Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) — A health official on Monday reprimanded a lawyer who went viral over the weekend for the improper use of face shield and mask, even falsely dismissing the effectivity of surgical masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Lawyer Larry Gadon was photographed wearing a face mask taped to his face shield in a public space, even insisting on his wrong belief that the use of masks in open spaces is not necessary.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire scolded him for spreading false information that may endanger the public.
“Those people who are known by the media, general public, alam niyong may role kayo kapag nagsasabi kayo ng ganitong misinformation,” Vergeire said in an online media forum. “Hirap na hirap na tayo mag-enforce ng minimum health standards, so we seek the help of everybody in giving the accurate information.”
[Translation: To those who are public figures, you have a role when you spread misinformation. We are already having a hard time enforcing the minimum health standards, so we seek the help of everybody in giving the accurate information.]
She said the public should be more discerning of where they get information.
“Makinig lang tayo sa tamang impormasyon. This is not a joking matter,” the DOH spokesperson added. “People might be following them. This is not the right way to go, magkakasakit ang mga tao.”
The World Health Organization has advised the use of face masks in public, hand in hand with other health protocols, to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Wearing of face masks in public is also mandatory in all parts of the country, with President Rodrigo Duterte ordering the arrest of all violators.
