The city of Rio de Janeiro decreed the end of the mandatory use of masks in closed places on Monday. This Saturday (12), people still circulate using face protection both indoors and outdoors.
In establishments in the South Zone of the capital, the report by CNN identified divergent opinions on the measure. “I’m no longer using it outdoors, but I still use it indoors because I feel safer,” says Thaís Romeiro.
Among those who used the protective equipment, most were elderly. The municipal decree recommends that in addition to this public, immunosuppressed and unvaccinated people (including children who have not completed the vaccination schedule) continue to wear a mask.
“I will continue to wear the mask. I’ve had health problems, lung diseases. In the house where the work is, they will continue to use it”, said Lena Moreira, a maid.
According to the Municipal Health Department, the change was based on indicators of Covid-19 cases and vaccination coverage in the city. According to the latest data from the Rio Covid-19 Panel, the fatality rate from the disease is 0.3%. In all, 14,918,972 people have already been immunized in the capital of Rio de Janeiro, with 97.6% of the population over 5 years old, able to receive the vaccine.
Risks of easing
Despite the more favorable scenario, compared to the beginning of the pandemic, when the fatality rate reached 8.7%, with 18,962 victims of the disease in 2020, and 16,085 deaths in 2021, in the city of Rio alone, researchers warn of the risks of the disease. early relaxation.
In a note released by the Covid-19 Observatory on Friday (11), the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) points out the risks of premature relaxation of protective measures in the face of the current scenario of the pandemic.
The researchers recommend prudence when adopting any easing measure, considering the possible impacts of Carnival and the potential increase in cases and hospitalizations. Experts advocate the adoption of public health strategies that expand vaccine coverage, such as requiring a vaccine passport in workplaces and indoors.
Basic care helps prevent Covid-19
Source: CNN Brasil
