Guidelines on rational use of Personal Protective Equipment
The theme of protective masks and personal protection equipment is very important and the greatest confusion reigns, both as regards the contexts in which it is better to use them, and as regards their effectiveness.
TheWorld Health Organization, for example, continues to saythat they are not needed unless in specific cases.On the contrary, the Lombardy Region, which for several weeks has been pushing citizens to use them anyway, now takes a step further and has the obligation to protect itself with a mask or something else when leaving the house.The debate on what is best to do is heated all over the world: the White House is oriented to recommend its widespread use, as well as China and Hong Kong.
Several researchers are also of this opinion and propose a generalized use of these barriers to curb contagion.At the time of writing, the different aspects are being considered: David Heymann, the panel manager in charge of the topic at WHO, announced to the BBC: "We are studying the new scientific evidence and we are ready to change the guidelines, if necessary. "
So how are things?Let's try to clarify. What science says First of all, the context in which it makes sense or does not make sense to use a mask should be clarified (later we will also talk about the different masks and their effectiveness).The mask, together with other protective measures,must be used in contexts where there is a high circulation of the virus, in which many of us are assumed to be infected.The masks are not by chance born as a protective device in healthcare settings, where they are useful when they are worn by patients carrying an infection and by the operators who take care of their treatments.
In this case, in fact, it is not possible to keep the necessary distances between those who are infected and those who are not: the doctor and the operator must take care of the patient, stay in close contact, get close to his mouth to be able to visit him or for other procedures .All operations in which the risk that the saliva droplets laden with viruses can reach the respiratory tract of the doctor is very high.The mask therefore acts as a physical barrier between the patient and the doctor / nurse.Hence masks are crucial for healthcare and social care workers who take care of patients.
hand sanitizers
By widening the discussion to the general population,their use is therefore always recommended to those who take care of an infected patient, even in a family context.The reason for this indication is the same as that of the health context.
If you are likely to be in close contact with a sick person, a mask reduces the chance of the disease being transmitted.Similarly, to avoid the transmission of the virus as much as possible through coughing or sneezing and in general through infected saliva droplets, those who have coronavirus symptoms or are diagnosed with Covid-19must wear a mask to protect others..In this case, ideally, both the patient and the caregiver should wear a mask.
