Overcrowded sorties worry health workers

CEBU, Philippines —  Although no sudden peak of cases has been noted yet in line with election-related activities, the Department of Health is hoping that organizers only allow fully-vaccinated supporters to be in crowded places while senior citizens are advised not to join rallies for their own protection.

DOH spokesperson, Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire together with Dr. Edsel Salvana, in yesterday’s press briefer admitted that health workers naturally express worry every time they see huge crowds in campaign sorties as it could be a potential super-spreader event.

“Health care workers are worried about this, knowing how the diseases are transmitted. Pero, sa kabilang banda, kung sana lahat ng pumupunta dyan ay bakunado, yung ating agam-agam or worry ay mababawasan because we know that vaccinated individuals can transmit less than the unvaccinated,” said Vergeire.

Salvana added that hopefully organizers are putting in consideration the vaccination status of their supporters going into crowded places.

“Hopefully yung mga organizers are putting in their rules na pagka crowded, vaccinated lahat,” said Salvana.

Salvana reminded everyone that the COVID-19 virus is still very much around.

“The virus is still very much around. Kailangan po nating ipagpatuloy at alalahanin ang mga lessons in the pandemic, last year, two years ago, nakatago tayo lahat sa bahay. Wag tayong mag overcompensate na dalawang taon na tayong di nakalabas ay gawin na natin ngayon. Mag-ingat pa rin po tayo para hindi mag spike ang ating mga cases,” added Salvana.

Both Vergeire and Salvana also advise senior citizens to stay away from these rallies.

“Sa ating mga nakakatanda kung pwede naman pong maiwasan natin na sumama sa mga ganitong campaign sorties, ay sana po ay maiwasan po natin para hindi na po tayo magkasakit,” added Vergeire.

Seniors are the most vulnerable ones in COVID-19 with the majority of the deaths noted due to this disease being under the elderly population.

For the rest of those attending campaign sorties, Vergeire reminded everyone to continue observing the minimum public health standards, especially on the wearing of face masks as it has been observed that there are some attendees not wearing masks, even some politicians too.

“Paalala lang po natin sa ating mga kababayan, this is the season to campaign, this is the season to show suporta ninyo sa inyong mga kandidato pero wag nyong kalimutan na dapat, patuloy pa rin tayong nagpapatupad ng minimum public health standards. Wag nyo pong tanggalin mga mask nyo pag pumupunta kayo sa mga campaign sorties..siguraduhin nyo po na kayo ay bakunado,” stressed Vergeire. — GMR (FREEMAN)