The spread of the coronavirus can be prevented using many different methods. It is worth starting to combat it before the second wave begins. Once the epidemic has spread, it is much more challenging. Experts estimate that the second wave of the coronavirus could hit us as early as the fall. At this point, it is important to use all the tools we have at our disposal to control the epidemic so that we can ensure that healthcare capacity is sufficient.
The debate about the usefulness of masks has become a hot topic again. Internationally, their use is recommended and in some places, the use of masks is even mandatory, but in Finland there has not yet been an official recommendation.
Experts say it would be worth recommending their use, for example, on public transport where safe distances cannot be maintained. The recommendation is always voluntary and signals that all measures to prevent the spread of the epidemic have been implemented. Now that people are returning to offices and schools from their summer vacations, it is very likely that cases of the disease will increase.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) also recommend the use of masks when moving around in public places and when safe distances cannot be maintained. Mask recommendations are based on scientific evidence of their usefulness.
Now it would be important to have instructions on the use of masks in Finland as well. We don't want to end up in the same situation as when the pandemic started. We have reached a calm corona situation, which is not a given when you look at the situation around the world. The situation could worsen radically, even in a matter of weeks, if we start to relax the restrictions on everyday life too much.
The important tools already in place to prevent the spread of the epidemic are infection tracing and testing, good hand hygiene, and safe distances of more than two meters. To reinforce these, we would need a recommendation for one tool that we can put on our faces - face masks.
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