On April 20, the obligation to wear a mask will fall in Spain. Considering the generation of expectations by the government and the two-year fatigue of the mask, the long-awaited statement by the population, however, has some nuances. The mask will not disappear overnight in our lives. Or not, based on expert recommendations.
On the one hand, there are exceptions to the rules. That is, places where the obligation does not decrease because the risk is high. These will be health centers, nursing homes and public transport. But, except in those areas where it is “absolutely necessary” to maintain it, in the words of Minister Carolina Darias, “responsible use” is recommended for the general population in virtually every indoor space where there is socialization, except for schools, a supplement for vulnerable people.
This includes shops, cinemas, theaters, concert halls, museums, bars, restaurants or nightclubs … as well as private holidays in a family or friendly setting, especially if someone is at risk, according to the latest Alerts Lecture document. Staffed by Ministry and Community Technicians. The Minister recalled that light and asymptomatic positive cases should also be used, which no longer have the obligation of isolation from 28 March.
Epidemiologist Salvador Piero, a researcher at Fisabio, considers it advisable to follow these recommendations “because transmission is high.” But he disagrees with another aspect: “We have an end to the pandemic, we are taking action to the point of madness, and it places all the responsibility on people without a campaign to follow these recommendations.” “So many recommendations are related to dizziness and some aspiration to put a mask on the political level,” said Javier Segura, vice president of the Madrid Public Health Association (AMASAP), who was waiting a few weeks after the holiday to announce the end of the commitment and notify institutions.
“The decision is weighted, in order to reach a consensus, gradually and prudently,” Defense Minister Darias told a news conference after the Territorial Council, pointing to the high immunity of the population – due to vaccines or infections – to the severity of the Omicron option. “There were those who wanted to run more or less, and we agreed to shake hands,” he said, acknowledging pressure from various quarters to end the event as soon as possible to later confirm that “recommended use depends on each” and only regulatory royal decree. Collect spaces where it is mandatory.
Until the last moment, there were doubts about when and how to continue removing the masks, a news that the government knew was cult-like in management and demanded by the population. First, on the date: Health examined the decision before Easter, but technicians disagreed. Finally, the ministry decided to spread the word about it this week, though the issue was not on the agenda and had not previously passed the Public Health Commission filter, which brings together community directors, which has become ugly. Euskad. Second, thin print. The work centers are part of the discussions. The technicians finally chose the latest proposal to leave it to the evaluation of risk prevention services and recommend its use if the distance between employees is less than a meter and a half and ventilation is not guaranteed.
The Spanish Society of Epidemiology believes that even though it waited after the holidays, there are still not enough elements to assess “completely” what impact the completion of the isolation that has been in place for some time has had on the transfer. A week and a half. Two decisions in a row do not convince epidemiologists who do not see the point in announcing now what will start on April 19th.
“A statement on a certain date, so that we do not know a priori what the situation will be in the near future, can not be a measure based on evidence of the epidemiological situation at that time, but on other issues. These are other aspects. “They should also be considered, of course, but they should be clearly articulated in making the decision so that it is understandable to citizens,” the SEE said in a statement.
The minister came out against the criticism on Wednesday. “Nothing is accurate. We had opinions in one direction and the other, but we went hand in hand with the evidence and the people who advised us,” he said, confirming that the available data showed a stable “downward” scenario. Trend in some indicators, such as hospitalization. According to the latest data, the number of patients in the ICU is at the November level.
The public health professionals who were consulted see protecting the vulnerable as the biggest challenge – Segura said, “even the weakness” of a new way of life with the virus. “In what space would not be more than 60 people? Think, for example, of the cinema. A good campaign should be conducted for the population to use and thus less people hospitalized,” said Peyro. “The problem and the difficulty is that we do not live in waterproof compartments. The criteria for protecting the vulnerable are only considered from the vulnerable zone, for example, if you live in a shelter,” adds the AMASAP vice president. The new management strategy reveals in its pages that taking steps toward normalization involves taking “a certain level of transmission” and “managing risk,” assessing “what residual levels are acceptable to society.”
SEE favors keeping the mask inside “in certain situations”. “The new surveillance strategy is based on the need to focus on protecting vulnerable people, and to be effective, it is necessary to take certain measures in the areas where these people live, live and work. Is part of his success. “Those who are not vulnerable, protect those who are by their behavior and by observing these minimum measures,” the statement reads.
Source: El Diario
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
