The Association of Public Health Physicians defended today, September 7, the continuity of the use of masks to prevent Covid-19 and the flu and to be able to spend a “more controlled” winter, allowing the NHS to resume the delay in care activity.
The Socialist Party (PS) told the Lusa news agency that it will not propose in parliament the renewal of the mandatory use of masks in outdoor public spaces, a diploma whose validity expires on the 12th, a position that it said coincides with that of the General Directorate of health.
Also, in statements to the TSF, the president of the PSD Parliamentary Group, Adão Silva, stated that only a sudden worsening of the Covid-19 pandemic in the coming days would prevent the Social Democrats from defending the end of street masks.
Speaking to Lusa news agency, the acting president of the National Association of Public Health Physicians (ANMSP), Gustavo Tato Borges, stated that there is no set date to stop wearing the mask.
«The National Association of Doctors of Public Health continues to suggest that, especially in this winter phase that we are about to enter, the mask continues to be personal protective equipment used by all or almost all so that we can protect ourselves not only from Covid-19. , but also the flu», defended Gustavo Tato Jorge.
According to the expert, this measure will make it possible to spend "a much more controlled winter" with regard to these two pathologies and will also allow the National Health Service to resume the delay it has with regard to surgeries, consultations and monitoring of other patients .
For Gustavo Tato Borges, it is essential that people understand that the decision to end the mandatory use of masks in public spaces is “a political decision”.
"It is the politicians who must assume whether or not it continues [the use of masks in public spaces] and, although this obligation is likely to drop [on Sunday], it is our duty to continue to take measures to protect our health and the use of masks it is clearly one of them», he stressed.
In his opinion, it makes perfect sense that, at least during the winter, masks continue to be used, especially the frail patients, the chronically ill, the elderly, the immunocompromised and all those who have a family member or a user with whom they come in contact in these situations in order to be more protected.
The issue of whether or not to renew the mandatory use of masks in outdoor public spaces is one of the issues that may be analyzed next Wednesday, during the meeting of the conference of parliamentary leaders, which will set the first schedules for the new session legislative.
Asked if the use of masks in the workplace for eight hours could cause any problems, Gustavo Tato Borges stated that everything depends on the workplace and the type of work being carried out.
“If it's a very physical job, it may be more complicated to wear the mask for so long, but if it's not so physical it's probably easier to do it,” he commented.
The specialist gave the example of health professionals who, during the pandemic, have been wearing masks uninterruptedly during the time they are on duty.
"Therefore, it is possible to use [mask], but of course I understand that for some jobs it may be more difficult," he said, pointing out that in places where workers have a physical distance of two meters it may be possible to remove the mask.
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