Contents
In April, the Minister of Health, Adam Niedzielski, announced talks during which a decision will be made on the possible lifting of the obligation to wear protective masks. Is the moment when nearly 2 million people from a country with a low vaccination rate came to us, and there are new increases in the number of coronavirus infections in Europe, a good moment to ease the restrictions? We asked an expert about it.
- The epidemic situation in Poland is still not the best. The number of infections is less than a month ago, but death rates from COVID-19 are still at a very high level
- We are also dealing with a new challenge, which is the admission of refugees from Ukraine – a country with a very low vaccination rate against COVID-19 (around 35%).
- Moreover, in Asia and Europe, there are record increases in the number of infections, which is related to the spread of the Omicron BA.2 sub-variant.
- – Relaxing the restrictions in the face of these two factors is at least unwise and has no scientific basis. I am worried about the health safety of Polish women and Poles – comments the drug. Bartosz Fiałek, rheumatologist, deputy medical director in the Independent Public Complex of Healthcare Institutions in Płońsk
- Check your health. Just answer these questions
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Masks – the last stage of easing restrictions?
– I recommended to the prime minister that from the beginning of April, the solutions regarding wearing masks, applying quarantine and isolating – said the Minister of Health Adam Niedzielski on Thursday.
In an interview with Radio Plus, Adam Niedzielski explained that the lack of an increase in hospital workload “opens some space for further decisions related to masks and the transition from an epidemic to an epidemic emergency”
A few days earlier, in Polsat News, The health minister said that discussions on lifting the remaining restrictions will most likely take place in April. «Probably the decisions that will concern masks, home isolation, quarantine (…) – these will probably be decisions that will be combined (…). Indeed, this is how we think about it with the Prime Minister, so that April will be the period when we will make these decisions, ”he said, adding that perhaps we will be able to go into a pandemic emergency at the same time, while now we are still in a pandemic state.
Information about the possible lifting of the obligation to cover the nose and mouth in public space aroused a lot of emotions. Poles have been waiting for such a decision for months, many from the beginning did not hide their frustration resulting from the necessity to put on a protective mask in public transport or closed rooms. At the same time, their photo is considered the last stage of easing the restrictions, a symbolic sign that the pandemic is behind us.
- See also: Niedzielski: I want us not to take off our masks until the end of March
A new wave of infections in Europe
The fact that it is not so at all, and the coronavirus still does not give up, is easy to find out by looking at the covid statistics of Western Europe (as well as Asia). After the wave of infections caused by the Omikron variant, most of them implemented the COVID-19 (living with COVID-19) strategy. It consists in the gradual lifting of restrictions and treating the infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection as an endemic disease similar to the flu. The marked decline in the number of new cases, a low number of deaths and a high vaccination rate in these countries (over 70-75%) gave hope that the fight against the coronavirus is coming to an end.
Further part below the video.
It turns out, however, that the matter is not that simple, and SARS-CoV-2 is making itself felt again. Germany and Austria have the highest rates of new cases since the start of the pandemic. In the first of these countries, on March 10, their daily number exceeded 300. The increases are also visible in the death statistics, of which nearly 600 were reported that day, the most since February last year.
- Check it out: The number of people infected with the coronavirus is increasing dramatically in European countries. There are two reasons
It is also bad in Great Britain. There are over 70 infections here, twice as many as a week ago. Slightly milder, but equally visible increases are also observed in Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Greece, Portugal and Italy.
According to experts the new cases are mainly caused by a sub-variant of the Omicron called BA.2which developed in parallel with BA.1 and with it gradually displaced the until recently dominant Delta. This sub-variant is even more infectious than its predecessor.
- This could be the coronavirus’s next move. What awaits us? Four possible scenarios
The epidemic in Poland – new challenges
– It is really hard to expect and hope that Poland will be a green island that the sub-variant BA.2 will save. As before, these infections will reach us, and it will happen soon, when we look at the history of the development of subsequent COVID-19 epidemic waves. This is another, sixth warning that we seem to be taking lightly. In the next few weeks we will see an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Poland – predicts the drug. Bartosz Fiałek.
- See also: Why are Poles still dying from COVID-19? The expert lists two reasons
According to the expert, increases in the covid statistics should also be expected in connection with the influx of Ukrainian refugees to Poland. – They come from different parts of the country where only every third citizen is vaccinated against COVID-19. Of course, there are places like Kyiv, where the vaccination rate before the outbreak of the war was around 65%, but for example in neighboring towns it is only 20%. Let’s also remember that Many children came to Poland, most of whom, as in our country, are not vaccinated due to their age-related lack of entitlement. From an epidemic point of view, easing the restrictions in this situation may simply end badly – says the doctor.
- Read also: Vaccinations against COVID-19 for Ukrainians. Experts: fast educational action needed
Adam Niedzielski, when asked about lifting the restrictions in the face of this challenge, said that “making decisions now concerning, for example, what to do next with masks, must be slightly suspended”. However, the government is still considering the scenario in which the use of this protection will not be obligatory in April or May. It is not known, however, whether the lifting of this obligation will apply to all Poles and any situation in which wearing a mask is currently necessary.
No more masks – yes, but …
– If we were to talk, after all, about the abolition of the obligation to wear protective masks, it would certainly have to be conditioned by the local epidemic situation. – believes the drug. Bartosz Fiałek.
If we have green locations somewhere in Poland, i.e. regions where there are very few COVID-19 cases and the risk of significant spread of the virus is not great, then one could think that the obligation to wear protective masks could be partially abandoned. However, such a scenario does not come into play when the daily number of new infections increases. Removing masks, a protective barrier to reduce the transmission of an epidemic-causing pathogen, is simply unwise, there is no scientific basis. And the research is clear in this matter: masks reduce the risk of airborne virus transmission and provide economic benefits, associated with the fact that we are less often forced to use medical appointments, additional tests, treatment or hospitalization.
– You cannot make such decisions on the basis of faith or whim. If, despite the real epidemic threat and clear signals from around the world, such decisions are made, I am afraid for the health safety of Polish women and Poles.
The editorial board recommends:
- I’ve never had a coronavirus. Should I be worried or happy?
- COVID-19. It’s time for the fourth dose? Pfizer introduced his position
- NOPs after mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. Huge US study and a clear conclusion
- How to strengthen immunity and avoid COVID-19? Simple ways