Sara on tuob: Follow doctors’ orders

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has called on Davao residents to follow doctors’ advice in the effort to prevent and treat the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

President Duterte’s daughter over the weekend pushed for people to follow what the doctors ordered amid encouragement of some local government units to use steam therapy or tuob to cope with the pandemic.

Carpio explained that the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) know best to handle the situation even with the absence of a vaccine against the disease.

She cited the need to strike a balance between the scientific method in dealing with COVID-19 and personal beliefs on the use of traditional medicine.

“The city government follows the doctors’ advice. When the patient is admitted in the hospital, the doctor writes on the chart putting in there the medication and dosage, plus vitamins and exercise,” Carpio said.

The mayor added that traditional medicine can be employed but with the doctor’s concurrence.

She also stressed that SARS-CoV-2, which causes the deadly disease, is being studied by doctors and specialists.

“The way to fight the COVID-19 pandemic is the expertise of epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists. They are available and working day and night in Davao City and they have studied pandemics for years,” she said.

Carpio surmised that appropriate attention is given only to someone who feels something and seeks medical check-up immediately, and that it pays to follow doctors’ advice to cope with the infection.

“Amid the pandemic, doctors have studied the virus for years and years and it is their job to find a solution to the medical problem,” she said as she stressed that no one has died due to COVID-19 testing.

The President’s daughter suggested that ordinary people can help in preventing the disease by staying home, wearing face mask outdoors, social distancing and frequent washing of hands with soap and water.

Wearing of masks is also a must even when talking to neighbors.

“Anyone can be afflicted with COVID-19. Even if you’re of different nationality, you have to wear a mask,” she said.