Since Sunday, Bucaramanga said goodbye to the use of face masks in closed spaces.
The measure, which was proposed and approved by the National Government, was approved after verifying that in the ‘Ciudad Bonita’ the goal of vaccinating 70% of the population with a complete schedule and 40% with a booster dose was met. .
However, in health services, nursing homes and public transport, the mask will continue to be mandatory. In colleges and universities too, but until May 15 next.
Juan José Rey, Secretary of Health of Bucaramanga, pointed out that “the most important thing is that any person, in the face of any symptom, be it a sore throat, cough or runny nose, puts on the mask on the street or in closed spaces. Now it becomes a citizen’s responsibility. We have already learned that when we have flu, the measure must remain.”
He added that within companies and in general in daily life, there are biosafety protocols that remain, hand washing, the use of alcohol and distancing.
“People have somehow been expressing the discomfort of using the mask for communication, stopping using it is a relief, in addition to that in a certain way they are going to stop spending money on the purchase of the mask, which represents savings for many,” he said.
However, he stressed that they will not stop monitoring and being attentive to the figures. “The face mask is a protection measure against the transmission of the virus. We must remain very vigilant, since we are still in a health emergency. The entire month of April was spectacular in numbers, but if we have any upward behavior, the measures must be reevaluated,” he added.
In that sense, he said that people with comorbidities or serious illnesses that compromise their defenses should keep it.
Can read: In April, COVID-19 infections in Santander fell by up to 95%
On the other hand, Mauricio Orozco Levi, head of Pulmonology at the International Hospital of Colombia, HIC, explained that “the mask is a form of physical protection to reduce the risk of being infected by coronavirus and other viruses or bacteria, such as tuberculosis. The current risk is not zero, we are facing a pandemic, which has decreased the number of cases per day and that vaccination has been very important to reduce mortality or the need for hospitalization due to infection, but it is not an eradicated disease, he wants say that there is still a chance of getting infected.
His recommendation, as a pulmonologist, is that in closed spaces, in spaces where there are crowds or where there is a greater probability of sharing elements and the risk of becoming infected continues to exist, the mask be used.
“We promote and recommend continuing to use the mask, the pandemic map shows that there have been four peaks, but a fifth may come. There are still daily cases and although mortality has decreased, it does not mean that it is not a disease serious. Masks continue to be protective elements for a disease that has not been eradicated,” he said.
Finally, Carlos Ibarra, deputy manager of Medical Services at the University Hospital of Santander, HUS, pointed out that from a medical point of view there are not many points in favor, but from a personal point of view, because many are already uncomfortable.
“For some people it is uncomfortable to wear the mask due to skin allergies, respiratory problems or contact dermatitis, however, the main reason for not using it anymore is that they feel discomfort from not being able to breathe easily,” he revealed.
He said that wearing the mask, in addition to preventing COVID-19, prevents other kinds of respiratory diseases.
“We have other viruses circulating naturally, and not wearing the mask can bring an increase in people infected with COVID-19 or other diseases.”
He emphasized, like the Secretary of Health, that people with chronic diseases or comorbidities should use it by their own decision, since they are at higher risk.