After the public schools, the City Health Office (CHO) is now “highly” encouraging tertiary schools to wear face masks as protection against seasonal flu. ‘The memo on wearing of face masks is also extended to tertiary schools,’ Dr. Margie Roa-Rubio, the Assistant City Health Officer for Operations, said in an interview Monday. Those in workplaces and using public transport are also encouraged to wear masks for protection against viruses, Roa-Rubio said. Earlier, the CHO and the Department of Education (DepEd) separately issued advisories, urging parents whose children are in public schools to wear face masks. The CHO also advised the DepEd on the non-entry of students manifesting flu symptoms to schools to enable them to get medical consultation and close monitoring. ‘We issued the advisory because schools are asking us what to do as some students have manifested cough, colds, and fever. The most effective way for us is to find preventive measures that are applicable for all and are proven scientifically,’ Roa-Rubio said. She also recommended taking children’s temperatures as part of school surveillance for influenza-like symptoms, as these symptoms may indicate dengue fever. Rubio also urged school leaders to help in health promotion and empower students to combat diseases, including dengue. ‘We already knew that based on our experience with Covid-19, wearing a face mask is effective because it is a respiratory infection,’ she said.
Source: Philippines News Agency
