Isko: Don’t panic, don’t hoard masks

DON’T panic, don’t hoard.

These were the twin appeals made yesterday by Mayor Isko Moreno to the public buying face masks and the sellers, respectively, even as he also called for sobriety.

Moreno made the appeal after receiving reports that hordes of buyers trooped to Bambang in Sta. Cruz area to purchase face masks and that tension ran high when the store owners told them the masks are out of stock.

Some complained they pre-ordered and came back as scheduled, only to be told that there are no stocks available.

Moreno called for sobriety, saying panic and chaos will not resolve anything.

Likewise, he reiterated earlier warnings that hoarders and profiteers will be dealt with accordingly.

As this developed, Moreno handed some 500,000 face masks to students from public elementary, high school and college in the city.  He also gave students 6,200 face masks to the San Lazaro Hospital where suspected coronavirus cases are being treated being one of the hospitals with such capability.

Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna who is supervising the six city-run hospitals and Dr. Arnold Pangan, chief of the Manila Health Department, said all hospitals and health centers are prepared to accept those who want to be checked for fever, cough or colds which are usually the initial symptoms of the feared virus.

Meanwhile in light of the corona virus scare, Mayor Moreno has written the Philippine Ports Authority to ask for the schedule of berthing of foreign vessels.

In a letter, Moreno sought a copy of the schedule of berthing particularly of vessels coming from China and other countries where there have already been reported cases  of corona virus.

Moreno said he would also like a copy of the manifest for each vessel for purposes of easier tracing in case needed.

In seeking for the schedule of docking vessels, Moreno said he is ‘dictated by my express statutory mandate to ensure the preservation and promotion of public health and safety of my constituents.’

He said ‘this will give the city government ample time to take the necessary steps and measures and strategize in fully fighting the outbreak of this dangerous virus’.