The city of Rio de Janeiro decreed on Monday (7) the end of the mandatory use of masks in closed places. The Medical Correspondent, from Novo Dia, neurosurgeon Fernando Gomes explained which aspects this decision was based on.
Gomes said that the evolution of cases, with a reduction in the number of serious cases and deaths and with the advancement of vaccination itself may have motivated the decision.
“The number of more serious cases, which require medical-hospital intervention, ended up reducing. So, understanding the historical process itself, it is the moment when one thinks that this possibility [de retirada de máscara] becomes more concrete and real”, he says.
The doctor also points out the advance in vaccination. “We know that the coverage rate [vacina] it is already over 70%, of course when we talk about booster doses, this number is still not that great, but at least the contact with one or two doses is already quite large”, he highlights.
The capital of Rio de Janeiro was the first in the country to adopt this measure. However, Gomes points out that “in the past, for example, Israel took this initial step and then had to go back”.
“It is a new moment in history itself, perhaps it could even happen [de retomar o uso da máscara]. But due to the advances in numbers and a greater understanding from a biological point of view, it seems that we are reaching the moment of greater maturity and even putting the masks aside”, says the doctor.
Asked if this would be the ideal time to remove a mask in closed places, Gomes says that when we talk about social isolation and restriction measures, and a way to block the advance of the coronavirus, this is mainly based on the fact that the service of health is not prepared.
“At the moment it seems that the situation is different because we have very low numbers compared to what we observed in the past. The right, most appropriate or mature moment often ends up being difficult to say in such a forceful way. But, comparing our own historical process, it seems, in fact, that we are in a situation of control a little more comfortable for this”, she points out.
The Rio de Janeiro measure should not be adopted by health professionals or in schools – which should maintain the use of masks.
For the neurosurgeon, today people are more aware because of the pandemic memory with care. Gomes explains that it is possible to prevent any disease from progressing in a disorderly way by adopting non-pharmacological measures.
“When the individual gets the flu or a cold, he will behave differently than he behaved before the Covid-19 pandemic itself”, he said.
Emotional conditions that lead people to extreme situations
Last weekend, a fight between fans in Belo Horizonte left one dead. Fernando Gomes explains that within behavioral neuroscience, fanaticism can be triggered by a ‘herd effect’.
“There is a very strong sense of identity, of belonging that for some aspects of our life makes a lot of sense. For example, you feel like you belong to your school, your country, your family and that can be a very good thing. But when you join this fanaticism, it has this effect that is triggered as if it were a school of fish that, suddenly, it is not possible to understand exactly who made the first move, reflecting on the behavior of the others”, he says.
International Women’s Day and health
This March 8th is International Women’s Day. In the Correspondent Medical section, Fernando Gomes talks about women’s health beyond the reproductive system.
The doctor highlights some pathologies of the woman. “Breast cancer causes about 18,000 deaths per year in Brazil. We have the issue from early detection to quickly established treatment to block this type of evolution.”
In addition, Gomes comments on other conditions that affect women annually. Watch the full video above.
Source: CNN Brasil
