ILOILO – Even trash looks different during a pandemic. Where one would usually see bottles, cans and wrappers, there’s now an abundance of discarded latex gloves, facemasks, among other personal protective equipment (PPE) against the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
While wearing of protective gear is mandatory, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) warned that disposing used masks or gloves incorrectly could risk spreading the infection they’re designed to protect against.
The legislative body recently adopted the resolution of SP member Dorothy Paes, urging local government units in the province to educate the public on the proper disposal of single-use personal protective equipment such as facemasks, gloves, tissues and wipes, and other potentially infectious wastes.
Paes, an SP ex-officio member being the federation president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in the province, said improper disposal of soiled facemasks and other protective equipment pose health and environmental concerns.
“Makita nga nagalinapta sa higad sang dalan kag suba ang mga [discarded protective equipment]. Dapat may proper disposal gid ang aton LGUs,” stressed Paes.
Paes cited the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau’s classification of used facemasks, gloves as well as tissue and other wastes, particularly used by suspected, probable and confirmed cases of coronavirus, as “special waste.”
“Health experts pointed out that discarded facemask and face shield have a high possibility to carry infectious particles that may be cross-contaminate the surfaces,” explained Paes, pointing out that coronaviruses can remain infectious on inanimate surfaces for a number of days.
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China in December 2019.
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales.
While there are clear guidelines on the disposal and separation of medical waste within healthcare settings, Paes said guidelines for disposal of anti-COVID equipment in public settings are unclear.
It is thus proper for LGUs to educate the public about the ill-effects of the improper disposal of facemasks and other wastes.
For his part, SP member Domingo Oso Jr. introduced a resolution enjoining the Public Information Office and the Provincial Health Office to conduct information and education campaign in villages across the province.
As of Sept. 20, Iloilo province has a total of 1,123 cumulative COVID-19 cases. Of the total figure, 686 are local cases and 437 are either locally stranded individual, authorized person outside of residence and returning overseas Filipinos./PN
