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The use of masks "has arrived to stay in Spain until a safe and effective vaccine" against Covid-19 is achieved , but it must be used correctly because "we are at stake in this phase of de - escalation ."

This has been defended by the head of the Preventive Medicine and Quality Management Service at the Gregorio Marañón Hospital in Madrid, the epidemiologist Nieves López Fresneda .

The masks are "a fundamental pillar to minimize the risk of transmission" of the coronavirus and one of the prevention and control measures, but not the only mechanism, he stressed.

It has also considered that the behavior of the Spanish population has been "very good" during confinement in terms of compliance with restrictions and regulations.

However, he said that in summer there is a lower perception of the risk of contagion and it is "when you have to comply very well with the recommendations of the health authorities to avoid, as much as possible, that dreaded second wave, which we hope will not occur. in autumn or winter. "

For this reason, it is "very important" that the population carry out an exercise of joint social responsibility to reduce the risk of transmission and the mask has had an impact, it is used correctly because "we are at stake in this phase of de - escalation ."

López Fresneda has highlighted the importance of the mandatory use of the mask because the Covid-19 is transmitted by respiratory drops that are emitted when coughing, sneezing or speaking and, in this context, it is "a physical barrier mechanism, which prevents secretions infected or contaminated airways pass to others who can inhale them, and therefore become infected. "

He affirmed that the Spanish population "was not accustomed" to the use of the mask until now, so "it is probable that it will not end up integrating into our day to day after Covid-19 "; while in countries such as Japan , China and South Korea , its use was already widespread due to the SARS epidemic in 2003.

"This situation - of obligatory use - will continue like this until you can count on a vaccine that is safe and effective," added this specialist in Preventive Medicine, who also coordinates the Master in Management of Clinical Patient Safety and Quality of Health Care of the International University of La Rioja (UNIR).

It is estimated, he pointed out, that 50 percent of the number of current cases of Covid-19 occur in asymptomatic people and, at the moment, it is "a bit early to assess the effectiveness" of the mask, but it must be used. correctly".

In his opinion, " epidemiological surveillance systems are making a very important effort to detect cases early and isolate them appropriately, in order to reduce the risk of transmission to others."

"Once the pandemic is over , and hopefully it will be as soon as possible, and there is a safe and effective vaccine, perhaps the use of the mask is not indicated at the community level - among the entire population and in public spaces - and the mask is. surgery for the healthcare and hospital environment "in Spain, he assured.

He believes that, once the pandemic is overcome , it may be that the use of the surgical mask is only necessary in the community setting in case of suffering a respiratory infection and to protect people around possible infections, for example, if He suffers from a cold, although he has said that it is somewhat premature to predict.

For her, it will be "very important to increase the coverage rate of influenza vaccination against pneumococcus for the entire population at risk when the flu season arrives this year", given that "many respiratory infections that are difficult to treat will coexist, which may collapse the health system if you are not able to stop them in time. "

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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