SWS says Filipinos always practice minimum health standards vs COVID-19

September 30, 2020

Social Weather Stations (SWS) on Tuesday said majority of Filipinos are always practicing minimum health protocols such as wearing of face masks and observing physical distancing to make sure they won't be infected by the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19).

In its latest report, SWS found that in the past month, 79 percent of adult Filipinos use face masks when going out of their houses, 67 percent  wash their hands several times a day, 60 percent keep “physical distance” or a safe distance of one meter from other people when outside their homes, and 56 percent use a face shield when using public transportation or going to malls, markets, or drugstores

“The proportion of those who always practice COVID-19 prevention measures rose slightly for using a face mask, from 76 percent in July to 79 percent in September,” the survey said.

SWS said responses hardly changed for hand washing and keeping physical distance.

It added the practice of wearing a face shield when riding public transport  or going to establishments like malls, markets, or drugstores was surveyed for the first time.

The survey also found that the proportion of those who are wearing face mask is now highest in the Visayas at 86 percent, followed by Mindanao at 78 percent, Metro Manila at 77 percent, and Balance Luzon at 76 percent.

SWS said there is a decline in Metro Manila which was previously 90 percent.

Those who always wash their hands is also highest in the Visayas at 75 percent, followed by Mindanao at 69 percent, Balance Luzon at 64 percent, and Metro Manila at 63 percent.

As to those who are observing physical distance, Visayas is highest at 66 percent, followed by Metro Manila at 65 percent, Mindanao at 60 percent, and Balance Luzon at 56 percent.

Those who always use face shield when riding public transport or going to establishments like malls, markets, and drugstores are highest in the Visayas at 66 percent, followed by Mindanao at 58 percent, Metro Manila at 55 percent, and Balance Luzon at 52 percent.

The survey also found college graduates mostly wear face masks, face shields and keeping physical distancing at 85 percent, 71 percent, and 60 percent respectively, while those who are washing their hands are non-elementary graduates and elementary graduates at 69 percent.

The survey was conducted last September 17-20 when most areas of the country were already under the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ). Ella Dionisio/DMS