Anxiety, trauma and a lump in the stomach.
This is how several in the healthcare sector, who SVT Nyheter Väst spoke to, describe their feelings after the Västra Götaland region reintroduced the requirement for mouth protection.
- It felt like a blow in the back.
It's not fun for anyone, maybe for society but not for us who work in healthcare, says Heléne Hjalmarsson, also a nurse at Kungälv's hospital.
Increased infection
The background is increased infection and, according to the region, it is about reducing the risk of the spread of covid-19 for employees and patients.
- It is clear that it is a lot of work and there are many who have worked very hard and for a long time under a pressured situation.
I fully understand that a lot of thoughts come back around that time, but this is something we hope will be for a limited time, says Kristine Rygge, acting director of health and medical care in Västra Götaland.
"Mixed messages"
But assistant nurse Cia Jöhnk is critical of how the mouth guard is used.
- It is not used correctly.
You wear it hanging on your ear or on your arm.
It's just there for show - because the employer wants it to be that way.
Have you brought this up at work?
- Yes, it's something we talk about all the time.
Now the covid cases are increasing in the region. Is it not reasonable to have a mouth guard to protect the elderly and those who are at risk?
- Absolutely, but for me it will be a double message.
This that covid is no longer a danger to society, you should sort of live as usual, but at the same time in healthcare we have to wear mouth guards all the time, says Cia Jöhnk.