The Government has announced that next week the obligation to wear masks in health centers, hospitals and pharmacies will be eliminated. In relation to the removal, the head of the Epidemiology Service of the Government of the Canary Islands and president of the Spanish Association of Vaccinology, Amós García Rojas, in a recent interview for Radio Lanzarote-Onda Cero, emphasizes that the mask has been of "great importance in combating the fight against COVID-19."
He also recalls that "it will continue to be used" in the areas of hospital centers where "there are highly sensitive patients such as the ICU, the oncology ward, among others." The epidemiologist emphasizes that "it should not disappear in other areas or for other pathologies."
García gives clear advice to citizens: "when a vulnerable person with pathologies tells me that they are going to be in a closed space, I recommend that they wear a mask."
Regarding sick leave due to Covid-19, another of the topics discussed during the interview, the head of epidemiology in the Canary Islands makes it clear that in the case of having "a mild or asymptomatic condition," the person can do their daily activities but "wearing a mask to avoid contagion." On the other hand, if the symptom picture is greater, "they should stay at home to avoid infecting others," he adds.
But we must not forget "the important nuance" that "the microorganism is not going to become extinct or diluted," but that "it will always be with us," García points out.
"SARS-COVID-2 presents itself with a different face," given that "we have managed to eliminate that terrible face of the pandemic: that of deaths," the epidemiologist emphasizes. "Now we are in a favorable situation" and all this, thanks to "vaccines, the positive behavior of citizens and the measures implemented," he reveals.
"Now we are in a favorable situation, thanks to vaccines and the measures implemented"
Regarding anti-vaxxers, for Amós García, it is a profile of citizens that is "very scarce, but noisy," he admits. Some speeches by some people that are part of "conspiracy theories," rather than "scientific realities," he admits. Some "theories" that have gained more prominence "on social networks," he adds.
A way to "mislead society" and "make the measures given not credible," criticizes Amós García. Something with which he is forceful: "if it were not for the vaccines, at least 20% of the population would have died in two years."
"Anti-vaccine speeches mislead society and make the measures given not credible"
Despite the anti-vaxxers, the results of vaccinations in Spain have been very positive, with "90% of the population" being "vaccinated," he admits.
The president of the Spanish Association of Vaccinology (AEV) hopes that "we have learned from all this," especially from "hand washing," a "simple" measure but one that "was not so present before the pandemic," he recalls. In addition, he concludes the interview asking citizens to "be more supportive."