Towards the end of the summer, as the number of coronavirus cases began to decline and vaccinations increased, many governments began easing restrictive measures. Social life is back. In Britain, Boris Johnson spoke of “Freedom Day”. But a few months later the picture was reversed, cases erupted again and many governments began to change course.
The fact is that in addition to vaccination, the three measures that have proven to be effective to date are: the use of a mask (ideally FFP2 or FFP3), keeping a distance and washing your hands. The economic and social costs of these measures are low. According to a new study by the University of Melbourne Alone and the Edinburgh World Health Center, we can no longer afford to neglect these basic hygiene rules.
The use of a mask saves
The researchers looked at data from the pandemic during the pandemic of about 37,000 individual studies on coronary heart disease restrictive measures. New research confirms that good hand hygiene reduces coronavirus infection by 53%. Proper use of the mask also reduces the risk of infection by 53%. According to data from 200 countries, the COVID-19 mortality rate in countries with compulsory mask use was 45.7% lower than in countries where this measure did not apply.
In an interview with DW, Ulrich Pells, director of the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Munich, said: “FFP2 masks can reduce the emission and absorption of coronavirus particles by 95%, while FFP3 by up to 99%. This means that an FFP2 mask can reduce the risk of infection to the user by 1/20. An FFP3 mask at 1/100 “.
The new research, however, notes that there are differences in the use of the mask from country to country. For example, in some countries the use of an FFP mask is mandatory and in others it is not. Ulrich Pells also points out that it is not enough to just use a mask, but it is equally important that the mask is used correctly: “The mask is only fully effective when applied well and tightly. It is especially effective when it sits properly on the nose “. However, he emphasizes that in any case “the use of any mask is better than not using a mask”.
No contact, no infection
According to research, perhaps the most effective measure to deal with the pandemic remains strict adherence to distances. In the most extreme form, keeping track of distances means isolation or in other words lockdown. This method is considered to eliminate coronavirus cases, but at the same time it is equivalent to the freezing of economic and social life.
However, although some countries, such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, have long used the “strategic zero-out” method, experts note that this model cannot be applied everywhere. On the one hand, the pandemic is now at an advanced stage, so that the cases are completely eliminated. On the other hand, the economy can no longer afford to remain stagnant. Nevertheless, keeping distances at work, in shops or public places is considered necessary for our effective and easy protection.
Fabian Schmidt
Edited by: Dimitra Kyranoudi
DW
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