The Davao City COVID-19 Task Force reminded Dabawenyos to remain vigilant and disciplined as the upcoming local and national elections can become a super spreader event.
Dr. Michelle Schlosser, the spokesperson of the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force, said, “Any other social gathering, pwede man gyud sya maging super spreader, especially when the people are not disciplined (Any other social gathering can be a super spreader, especially when people are not disciplined).”
She said that Mayor Inday Sara Duterte Carpio, in her Executive Order (EO) No. 11, Series of 2022, underscored the retention of the mandatory wearing of face masks even if the city is under alert level 1 or alert level zero status.
“Nagpabilin gud gihapon ang spread sa infection, nag-rely gihapon na sa disiplina sa tao. Any gathering, whether it be an election, wedding, birthday, or a simple friendly get-together, dako gyud ang chance na maka-spread og infection (The risk of COVID-19 transmission remains, it still depends on the discipline of people. Any gathering, whether it be an election, wedding, birthday, or a simple friendly get-together, there’s a great chance of spreading infection),” Dr. Schlosser said in a Viber interview with the City Information Office (CIO) on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.
She then urged Dabawenyos to remain vigilant as COVID-19 still exists. She reiterated the importance of wearing face masks at all times except when eating or drinking and refraining from engaging in high-risk behaviors and activities.
The city health official also said that since the coronavirus could not be seen and it is inevitable one would get infected, considering that erstwhile COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, getting a booster dose is the best and wisest way of protection from the severity of the disease.
Dr. Schlosser added, “Dili enough ang two-dose series lang. Kinahanglan gyud magpa-booster ta (It’s not enough that we have a two-dose series of the anti-COVID-19 vaccine. We really need booster shots).”
Aside from wearing face masks, getting fully vaccinated and boosted, and practicing proper hand hygiene, she also reminded voters to bring their stuff, such as ball pens, when they go to their designated polling precincts.
She added, “Dugay naman nato na gina-encourage sa mga establishments and offices. Mas maayo to bring your own stuff kasi wala man ta kabalo kinsa naggunit ana and definitely, kinahanglan gyud mag-hand hygiene. You have to wash your hands, bring your alcohol with you kung kinahanglan nimo i-disinfect isa ka bagay nga gunitan nimo
(We have been encouraging in establishments and offices. It’s better to bring your stuff since we don’t know who held those things and definitely, hand hygiene is vital. You have to wash your hands, and bring your alcohol with you if you need to disinfect something that you need to hold). Again, face mask, hand hygiene, and bring your stuff.”
Davao City’s alert level 1 status has been extended until April 30, 2022, as COVID-19 cases remain low. CIO
