WHO update guidelines encourage wearing masks in closed and crowded environments

　　(Fighting against New Coronary Pneumonia) WHO updated guidelines encourage wearing masks in closed and crowded environments

　　China News Agency, Brussels, June 5 (Geneva): WHO updated the guidelines for the use of masks on the 5th, stating that governments of all countries should encourage the public to wear masks in closed and crowded environments such as public transportation and shops.

　　At the regular press conference held at the WHO headquarters in Geneva on the same day, WHO Director-General Tan Desai said that this guide has been mainly updated in three points: First, if there is widespread community spread, WHO recommends that all Medical staff should wear medical masks, not just medical staff who are in contact with patients with new coronary pneumonia. This means that doctors must wear medical masks even in wards where patients with new coronary pneumonia are not available.

　　Second, if there is community communication, in an environment where it is difficult to maintain a social distance, WHO recommends that elderly people over 60 years old or people with basic diseases should wear medical masks.

　　Third, if there is widespread community communication and it is difficult to maintain social distance, such as in public transportation, shops, or other closed crowded environments, WHO recommends that governments should encourage the public to wear masks.

　　At the same time, the updated guide recommends at least three layers of non-medical masks based on the latest academic research, and details the sewing fabric of each layer; the guide also includes how to safely remove, clean, and save the mask, etc., warning if Adjusting the mask without washing your hands, or picking and wearing the mask repeatedly without washing your hands in between, may increase the risk of contracting the new coronavirus.

　　Although a series of instructions on how to use masks were given, Tan Desai and WHO experts emphasized several times at the press conference on the 5th that masks alone cannot guarantee that everyone is "safe and sound", but will cause an illusion and make the public neglected. Washing hands or maintaining social distance, masks can only work if they are combined with other prevention and control measures; to date, practice in various countries has proved that discovering, isolating, detecting, and treating every diagnosed patient, tracking and isolating every contact is still fighting new coronary pneumonia The cornerstone and best way of the outbreak. (Finish)