“When the mask becomes necessary again“: this is the title of the latest press release from theNational Academy of Medicine, dated November 2, 2022. No longer mandatory in most places since the end of the state of health emergency on July 31, it could still become very useful again this fall and winter. Here’s why.
The 2020-2021 season was spared the flu, as Covid-19 gained ground. The other winter viruses, such as gastroenteritis or even bronchiolitis, were also absent subscribers. But it was no coincidence… It’s thanks to barrier gestures that these diseases have kept a low profile. At that time, repeated hand washing, the use of hydroalcoholic gel in all sauces and the wearing of a mask in closed places were de rigueur.
The return of winter viruses
But the 2021-2022 season was less lenient, with a return of the flu, the peak of which was late, last April. “Many cases of “flu + Covid-19” co-infection have been notified worldwide, either before the implementation of the restriction and distancing measures, or after the lifting of these measures”, observes the Academy of Medicine. However, these co-infections increase the risks of saturation of the services hospitals and the risk of death.
As winter 2023 approaches, as the epidemics of gastroenteritis, Covid-19, and especially bronchiolitis are back, the Academy recommends putting barrier gestures back in place:
- For the elderly or carriers of comorbidities, and their entourage, care must be taken to be up to date with vaccinations : flu and Covid-19, and wear FFP2 masks in enclosed public spaces.
- For pharmacies, hospitals, dispensaries, health centers… It is important to put on a surgical mask. Of course, this must be accompanied by systematic hand cleaning with hydroalcoholic gel.
- Ditto: the Academy of Medicine recommends wearing a mask in closed spaces, public transport.
Source: When the mask becomes necessary again, National Academy of Medicine, October 2, 2022.
