By Victor Batongbakal
MALOLOS, BULACAN ― In conjunction with Executive Order No. 7, s. 2022, Sec. 1: Voluntary Wearing of Face Masks in Indoor and Outdoor Spaces, Muzueños seem to refuse to take their masks off in public places around San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.
Masked passersby along the street of Barangay Muzon. Photo by Victor Batongbakal, KALASAG
Philip, a tricycle driver, 64, said that wearing a face mask outside is much more favorable to him even with given circumstances.
"E mas maganda 'yung naka-face mask. Kasi lahat [sakop], e. 'Pag wala kang face mask masasagap mo 'yung [lahat ng alikabok]," he said.
The use of face masks does not only limit to virus prevention today. As people get comfortable with it, drivers who earn money on the road believe that it also serves as their protection from different specks of dirt.
His co-driver, Ferdinand, 55, is in accord with his sentiment.
According to him, the right time to fully depart from wearing a face mask is when the virus is completely gone.
The tricycle driver also pointed out the termination of face shields back then which caused a lot of inconvenience to Filipinos.
"Buti nga nawala na 'yung face shield, kasi 'yung face shield nakakaasiwa sa tao 'yun, e," he stated.
Meanwhile, in a phone interview done by Philippine News Agency (PNA), the Department of Education (DepEd) said learners are taking personal responsibility as they continue to wear face masks for their safety inside the classroom.
Grade 7 student, Nathan, 12, told Kalasag that even outside of school he wears a face mask. He only takes it off at home and when he feels secure to do so.
"Hindi naman po ako ganu’n [kadalas] magtanggal, pero minsan nagtatanggal," he explained.
Although some of the residents of Barangay Muzon were quick to point out that they get irritated by wearing face masks, according to one of the residents, people should care not only for themselves but also for the safety of everyone around them.
"Mas okay sa akin 'yung may face mask. 'Yung irritation naman pansarili naman na 'yun, e. 'Yung nadudulot ng face mask hindi naman pang-isang tao lang," she asserted.
The City of San Jose Del Monte is conducting “Bakunahang Bayan'' which also has a three-day vaccination process counterpart "Bakunahang Bayan in Malls" program from December 5-7 that aims to provide additional protection by administering free and readily available vaccines and booster shots.
The Barangay Health Worker of Muzon, Suzana, 59, emphasized the importance of vaccines in our body and shared her sentiments on why Muzueño should take them to not easily acquire the virus.
"Oo, mahalaga pa rin. Kasi hindi naman habang-buhay nasa katawan ng tao 'yan, e. May duration siyang four months, mawawala na rin 'yun. Kaya kumbaga dinadaan na lang sa booster," she said.
For health workers like Suzana, the risk of getting infected is higher, the reason why she always puts her face mask on especially when she is accommodating the sick.
As of December 6, SJDM has 33 total active cases, nine of which are newly recorded.
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TAGS: Muzueños, Voluntaryfacemask, COVID19, BakunahangBayan, SJDM
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