World Health Organization
officials said they still recommend people not wear face mask unless they are sick with Covid-19 or caring for
someone who is sick.
officials said they still recommend people not wear face mask unless they are sick with Covid-19 or caring for
someone who is sick.
“There is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing
of masks by the mass population has any potential benefit. In fact, there’s
some evidence to suggest the opposite in the misuse of wearing a mask properly
or fitting it properly,” Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO
health emergencies program said at a media briefing in Geneva,
Switzerland, on Monday.
of masks by the mass population has any potential benefit. In fact, there’s
some evidence to suggest the opposite in the misuse of wearing a mask properly
or fitting it properly,” Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO
health emergencies program said at a media briefing in Geneva,
Switzerland, on Monday.
“There also is the issue that we have a massive global
shortage,” Ryan said about masks and other medical supplies. “Right
now the people most at risk from this virus are frontline health workers who
are exposed to the virus every second of every day. The thought of them not
having masks is horrific.”
shortage,” Ryan said about masks and other medical supplies. “Right
now the people most at risk from this virus are frontline health workers who
are exposed to the virus every second of every day. The thought of them not
having masks is horrific.”
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, an infectious disease epidemiologist
with the WHO, also said at Monday’s briefing that it is important “we
prioritize the use of masks for those who need it most,” which would be
frontline health care workers.
with the WHO, also said at Monday’s briefing that it is important “we
prioritize the use of masks for those who need it most,” which would be
frontline health care workers.
“In the community, we do not recommend the use of wearing
masks unless you yourself are sick and as a measure to prevent the onward spread
from you, if you are ill,” Van Kerkhove said.
masks unless you yourself are sick and as a measure to prevent the onward spread
from you, if you are ill,” Van Kerkhove said.
“The masks that we recommend are for people who are at home
and who are sick and for those individuals who are caring for those people who
are home that are sick,” she said.
and who are sick and for those individuals who are caring for those people who
are home that are sick,” she said.
World Health Organization officials warned at a media briefing
last week that globally there is a “significant shortage” of medical
supplies, including personal protective gear or PPE, for doctors.
last week that globally there is a “significant shortage” of medical
supplies, including personal protective gear or PPE, for doctors.
“We need to be clear,” Van Kerkhove said last week.
“The world is facing a significant shortage of PPE for our frontline
workers — including masks and gloves and gowns and face shields — and
protecting our health care workers must be the top priority for use of this
PPE.”
“The world is facing a significant shortage of PPE for our frontline
workers — including masks and gloves and gowns and face shields — and
protecting our health care workers must be the top priority for use of this
PPE.”
