According to the Academy of Medicine, the current health situation requires the return of barrier gestures such as wearing a mask, to deal with winter infections.
- Barrier gestures are not mandatory but strongly recommended by the Academy of Medicine.
- It is advisable to wash your hands regularly and to use hydroalcoholic gel in places open to the public.
“The mask becomes necessary again”, said the National Academy of Medicine in a statement released yesterday.
Autumn marks the return of viruses
Indeed, the epidemics of Covid-19, influenza, bronchiolitis and even gastroenteritis are accumulating and raise fears of a risk of saturation of French hospitals. The possibility of a double infection (flu + covid) also exposes vulnerable people to the most severe forms.
A study carried out in the United Kingdom in 6,965 patients Covid-19 has indeed detected a viral co-infection in 583 (8.4%) of them, which increases the risk of death.
Thus, while barrier gestures have been neglected since the end of the state of health emergency on July 31, 2022, experts recommend today the return to wearing a mask and washing hands, which had proved their worth in the fight against viruses during the 2020-2021 season.
The mask is effective in combating the spread of viruses
This is why the National Academy of Medicine recommends, in detail: the wearing of an FFP2 type mask in closed public spaces for the elderly or carriers of comorbidities, for the entourage and health professionals who are in contact with vulnerable people, and for pregnant women, even when they are up to date with their vaccinations.
And the wearing of a surgical-type mask in hospitals, dispensaries, health centers and pharmacies, and in closed spaces open to the public, such as public transport during busy periods.
A position which joins that of the new Committee for monitoring and anticipating health risks (Covars). In its opinion published on October 20, it was based on studies which estimate that wearing a mask was associated with a 14% reduction in the risk of infection.
