The UAE’s call for heightened safety measures continues as the Ministry of Health and Prevention recently announced the need for all those who step outside their homes to wear protective equipment, including masks and gloves.
Emirates News Agency (WAM) released an infographic outlining the different types of masks currently acknowledged by officials, along with pointers for usage.
N95 Surgical Mask: It’s an example of personal protective equipment, widely used by doctors and medical professionals who are in direct contact with patients. This type of mask provides a reliable level of protection of 95% from inhaling smaller airborne particles. However, wearing it may be uncomfortable, because it impedes wearer’s ability to inhale sufficient amounts of air.
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Surgical Mask: Surgeons are used to wearing this type of mask, which provides very limited protection, only preventing exposure to patient body fluids. Small infections particles are able to penetrate this type of mask.
Paper Mask: It has a flexible paper pad placed over the nose and mouth with rubber bands for personal comfort against nontoxic, irritating dush.
READ ON: Cloth masks can be worn as alternatives — MoHAP spokesperson
Fabric/Cloth Mask: In case disposable masks are not available, washable cloth masks made of cotton or blended cotton can be used.
MoHAP spokesperson Dr. Farida Al Hosani urged those who will wear cloth masks to not only wash the mask at the end of the day for reuse the next day, users should also not share the same mask with other individuals.
She also stressed not to reuse medical masks with one-time usage and to dispose of them properly.
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In support of the UAE’s declaration of 2025 as the Year of Community, LadderUp, in collaboration with the Philippine Business Council – Abu Dhabi (PBC-AD), has officially launched a monthly symposium series aimed at equipping parents with practical tools for raising confident, independent, and emotionally resilient children.
The inaugural session, titled “Essential Skills for Resilient Children in a Changing World,” took place at Maktaba, Khalifa Park, and brought together Filipino, Indian, Korean, and Arabic families. The initiative encourages cross-cultural understanding and collaboration, highlighting the shared goal of nurturing well-rounded children in today’s fast-changing world.
During the panel discussion, Prof. Gau Raganit, Chairman of the Philippine Business Council – Abu Dhabi, shed light on the growing gap between academic knowledge and the real-world skills needed to thrive.
“We needed somebody who can add to the solution, not the problem. And that’s not also easy said and done, because it requires not just skills of knowledge by the books, but an experience and being able to put everything together that includes the behavior, the mindset and all the things they learn,” Prof. Raganit said.
Prof. Raganit emphasized that while academic excellence is important, it’s equally vital to teach children how to communicate, collaborate, and understand cultural differences—especially in a diverse setting like the UAE.
He also shared that success has no perfect formula, and that it’s important for families to normalize the idea that it comes with ups and downs. Teaching children to embrace these challenges, he added, is part of helping them grow into resilient individuals.
“Adapting is something that we should develop, meaning the resilience depends on how we are prepared when we are faced with these consequences or challenges in what we have,” he said.
He also urged parents to lead by example and prepare their children for a fast-evolving world—not just with knowledge, but with adaptability, strong values, and the support of a broader community.
Prof. Raganit also called for shared responsibility in raising the next generation.
“This initiative is not limited to the institutions, but to each and every one of us, and to make that as an action is something that we can be really proud of, as a parent, as a teacher,” he said.
