Pres. Duterte's gasoline mask advice clarified as joke

President Rodrigo Duterte's suggestion to disinfect face masks with gasoline or diesel was clarified as a joke by his spokesperson, Harry Roque.

Roque expressed doubt that Filipinos would take the President's remarks seriously, questioning why anyone would wash with gasoline.

The DOH also chose not to dwell on the President's "joke" about reusing face masks.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire stated that officials sometimes make jokes to ease stressful conversations.

Vergeire emphasized that DOH's risk communications aim to provide the public with clear and specific information.

Earlier, Duterte had instructed the public on reusing masks by spraying them with alcohol, Lysol, or soaking them in gasoline.

The DOH later clarified that only cloth masks can be reused if regularly washed.