‘But the face shields idiocy I can live with, even if it makes a senator richer. What I worry more about is the tendency of government to lift restrictions once case numbers seem to be falling as if that trajectory is permanent and irreversible.’
NOW that the word from on high is that face shields are to be worn both indoors and outdoors a common refrain you’d hear from people is, “masaya na naman ang importer.”
Some are even more direct, albeit without showing any proof to back up their claim that it is one first-term senator who will be laughing all the way to the bank, thanks to this policy.
Why he is the favorite or usual suspect whenever someone is seen to be making a killing from a government contract surprises me given the fact that 1) he is supper super close to the President 2) who has repeatedly said he is against any and all forms of corruption in government.
We all know that you can count on the President that whenever he says something, he means it.
I have to admit I was one of those who couldn’t see any logic in requiring face shields outdoors. By outdoors I mean instances such as when you need to walk the streets of the city. The outdoors provided an environment where the risk of being infected by a mass of droplets coming from someone else is very, very low unless he intentionally spits or sneezes into your face. Otherwise, the outdoors is where the virus gets scattered by the wind and is scorched by the sun and except if you decide to hug everyone you encounter while walking then you should be relatively safe.
It’s just like peeing in the crystal clear waters of Boracay with other swimmers around . Who would know? The sea is already salty anyway.
But the law is the law no matter how stupid the lawmakers are so I’ve generally complied and have been toting a face shield even outdoors. Lucky for me I don’t use eyeglasses but can only imagine how inconvenient it must be for those who do.
In order to give some scientific basis to the uniquely Philippine policy that people must use face shields we are told that they provide 9% additional protection beyond what masks provide. Nine percent? Now, how was that arrived at? Then again asking stupid lawmakers to explain just exactly what their science was behind their policy is as fruitless as a narra tree. So forget it. “Sumunod na lang,” as the lazy brained among us love to say.
Did any of them shoot up with gasoline, I wonder.
But the face shields idiocy I can live with, even if it makes a senator richer. What I worry more about is the tendency of government to lift restrictions once case numbers seem to be falling as if that trajectory is permanent and irreversible. When we’ve seen enough evidence all over the world that poorly timed opening up of the economy can be disastrous in terms of stomping out the virus. Not even Taiwan has been able to get away scot-free from a second wave of infections despite its well known quick response to the initial outbreak. What more the Philippines? This “close-open” policy of ours, again very weakly based on science, will only delay further our ability to ultimately emerge from this pandemic.
We couldn’t even have just one single trace app for everyone and everywhere. Or consistently enforce protocols. Or submit data on infections and deaths on time so that the real numbers can be reported to the public. And now there’s a Delta variant out there ready to sneak past our defenses!
Stay safe. And get vaccinated as soon as you can. This is far from over.
