Group of Doctors Appeals Not to Bring Children at Malls Amid Ongoing Health Crisis
A group of medical doctors appealed to the parents and advised them not to bring children to malls despite being allowed due to risk of virus.
As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) has advised parents and guardians not to bring children under the age of 11 to the mall. Despite a decrease of COVID-19 instances in the country, this is the situation.
At the Laging Handa public briefing, PMA President Dr. Benito Atienza stressed that regardless of the warning level, parents should not take their children to the mall first. He advises parents to bring their children to the park with social distancing because there is currently no vaccine for them.
“Kahit anong [alert] level ang ipatupad, ang hiling natin sa mga magulang ay huwag muna dalhin sa mga mall ang ating mga anak lalo na sa 11 years old pababa,” said PMA president Dr. Benito Atienza at the Always Ready public briefing yesterday.
“Wala pang available [na bakuna] sa kanila. Ang kailangan ay dalhin sila sa mga park, may social distancing,” Atienza added.
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Following a report that a 2-year-old child tested positive for COVID three days after being taken to the mall, Atienza made the announcement. Despite this, the Department of Health (DOH) stated that it was an isolated incidence, despite the fact that they were investigating the matter as well.
Meanwhile, local government units were asked on Monday by resident Rodrigo Duterte to establish ordinances prohibiting children under the age of 12 from entering malls and other public venues, in order to protect them from possible COVID-19 infection. He stated that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases had recommended it.
This was part of his reminder to the public not to be complacent despite the downward trend in COVID-19 infections, which has led to lower quarantine restrictions in most areas in the country, including Metro Manila. Duterte said he understood how parents were yearning to bring their children outdoors again.
But he said: “As we continue to reopen more establishments and allow more mobility to help our economic recovery, we still need to be cautious. I saw a recent report where a two-year-old child was tested positive for COVID-19 after visiting a mall.”
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