With the advance of vaccination and the fall in the rates of the pandemic, capitals such as São Paulo, Campo Grande and Curitiba are studying releasing the use of masks. The city of Rio de Janeiro was one of the first to stop requiring facial protection in open and uncrowded environments. Later, it was decreed in the Federal District and in Porto Velho, where use became optional in outdoor areas.
For the infectologist at Instituto Emílio Ribas, Rosana Ritchmann, this is one of the most controversial issues among researchers, scientists and health professionals. In her view, caution is especially necessary in the way the authorities will announce the measure. “We are in a phase of great trend in relation to our near future, so I think this is a moment of caution and not release.”
His caveat concerns how citizens, in general, will interpret this decision. “I’m afraid the population’s perception is: ‘the pandemic is over’, ‘I no longer need to wear a mask, neither outdoors nor indoors’ and, then yes, we run a huge risk of recirculation and, unfortunately, these numbers change.”
The infectologist explains that when there is no distance, even those vaccinated will put other people at risk. She also talked about how the mask is a simple, inexpensive measure that works to contain transmission.
“There are several studies and even a Brazilian one, by Fiocruz. They put masks on people who were infected [pela Covid-19] and trying to recover the virus. And it was only recovered on the inner face of the mask, on the outer face there was no virus at all, so in fact it is an excellent barrier.”
Reference: CNN Brasil
