CHO: Don’t buy paper masks

CEBU, Philippines — The City Health Office (CHO) has reminded the public to be vigilant in buying facemasks that are being sold without proper labels and packaging by authorized establishments.

During the inspection conducted by a joint team together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) last February 6, they were able to catch stalls selling facemask made of paper.

Doctor Daisy Villa said that this kind of masks do not give any protection at all.

“Both sides of the mask naa gyud purpose, but the paper mask, wala gyud na siya, it’s just a paper na dili protective,” said Villa.

She added that the surgical masks compose of layers, and one of it is the filter which is very important, since, without it, using the mask would be pointless.

“Nagpasalamat ta sa DTI and the rest of the group na ni check up ana, kay ang mga tao tungod sa ilang pag-panic para maka-secure sila og mask.  Mopalit gyud maski unsa ka mahal without knowing na useless ra diay siya kay dili man gihapon makaprotekta nila,” said Villa.

Villa reminds the public not to believe in everything that they hear or have read on the internet, especially when it comes from unreliable sources.

She said that before spreading these fake news, make sure that the news itself is verified to avoid causing panic to others.

The DTI was joined by the Food and Drug Administration, Philippine National Police Cybercrime, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Department of Health, and the Cebu City Market Authority Division in the joint inspection that hopped from one store to another to verify reports of overpricing.  GAN (FREEMAN)