WHO experts: Open to the public on the role of wearing masks in the fight against epidemics
Xinhua News Agency, Geneva, April 3 (Reporter Nie Xiaoyang and Chen Junxia) World Health Organization emergency project leader Michael Ryan said on the 3rd that some countries are currently carrying out "important and beneficial" on the role of public masks in the prevention and control of the new crown epidemic Discussion, given that this is a new challenge caused by a brand new virus, many existing views will be impacted and should be open to this.
On March 25th local time, in a clothing factory in the city of Molfetta in the south of Italy, a pair of Italian sisters designed and made creative masks with the Italian wording: andra tutto bene, which means: everything will be fine.
Ryan stated at a news conference held on the day of the video that, in situations where it is difficult to maintain sufficient physical distance and the community is spreading more and more, the public is encouraged to wear masks to reduce the infection rate, and WHO supports governments to take this as their own situation. Part of the comprehensive strategic measures to prevent and control the epidemic.
In response to a reporter's question, he said that it is not a bad idea for the public to wear masks widely, but at the same time, the importance of measures such as washing hands, maintaining sufficient physical distance, and not staying at home should not be ignored.
The expert also emphasized that masks should first be used to ensure the safety of frontline medical staff. Previously, WHO has recommended that people who are sick or caring for patients at home wear masks.
He said that WHO has held long-term talks with relevant experts around the world on the effectiveness of public masks in epidemic prevention. In the next step, WHO will continue to carefully study all the evidence in order to make an accurate assessment of this.