91% of Filipinos always wear masks whenever they go out, says study

Ninety-one percent of Filipinos always wear masks whenever they go out, according to a survey conducted by YouGov in partnership with Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London.

Among the 29 countries the London-based data analysis group surveyed between June 22 and June 28, the Philippines is the second country with the highest percentage of citizens who always wear masks when they go out of their homes.

The country with the highest percentage is Singapore, with over 94% of its population always wearing a mask outdoors.

According to the survey, only 1% of Filipinos do not wear masks outside of their homes, 2% sometimes wear masks, and 5% frequently wears masks outside.

The survey, which provides behavioral analysis on how different populations are responding to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), also showed that Denmark, Sweden, and Finland only has 2% of their population wear a mask outside at all times.

However, the study also showed that although 91% of Filipinos wear a mask outside at all times and 83% always washed their hands with soap and water, only 50% of the population could always avoid going outside to work.

Only 58% of the population as well have the luxury to always avoid using the public transportation system. 

In a press conference in April, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the country had the highest number of COVID-19 cases among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations because of “pasaway” citizens. 

READ: COVID-19 cases breached 30k not because of ‘pasaway’ Pinoys, Hontiveros says

As of July 18, the country has 65,304 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 22,067 recoveries and 1,773 deaths. – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News