Since the beginning of 2020, our lives have been conditioned by a new pandemic, unleashing a huge health crisis that has ended up affecting social, economic and political life. Faced with this scenario, which some dimension as apocalyptic, the most diverse reactions and reflections have been developed. But to wear or not to wear a mask? Here’s the dilemma.
The Mexico City government has removed the recommendation to wear face masks in open spaces, after two years of the pandemic.
“The Ministry of Health of the Government of Mexico sent us the lowest indicator we have had in the entire Covid-19 pandemic: zero. That is, very low epidemiological risk. That allows us to leave the mask outdoors, ”according to statements by Claudia Sheinbaum, who has suggested continuing to use the mask in closed places or with little ventilation.
In the capital, this protection measure has not been mandatory at any time since the start of the Covid-19 contingency. The Head of Government mentioned the need to use the face mask, in the face of doubts about its efficiency raised by the Undersecretary of Health, López-Gatell. Who was the government spokesman for the pandemic and went from saying that the mask was of “little or no” effectiveness to recommending its use “particularly in closed spaces”. Despite this, the use of face masks was the prevention measure most used by Mexicans, according to the National Survey on SARS-CoV-2 prepared in 2020.
The undersecretary assured that in Mexico no obligations were established to control the epidemic, but rather recommendations were issued, including the use of face masks. No restrictions were ever issued, only recommendations given that Mexicans are responsible (?).
In Sonora, on the other hand, we did have restrictions on the use of face masks, making them mandatory in closed spaces or crowded establishments, let us remember that a good part of the population is (was) asymptomatic, that is, they did not have any symptoms and I did not know that it could be a potential transmitter of the virus to more susceptible people, I believe that the recommendation and restrictions were correct since Mexicans are not responsible, dear reader. But no, it is not a reason to get angry or put on the sack, unless you, to mention an example, take your treatment regularly as indicated when you go to a medical consultation. Taking it as you consider is lack of responsibility. If you are hypertensive or diabetic and do not eat a proper diet, you are also being irresponsible (both with yourself, mainly, and with your health institution, which is very expensive to treat chronic diseases).
If you smoke, you are irresponsible with your body and those around you, however that is precisely your responsibility. Without a doubt, the use of face masks is important given the existing scientific evidence. This without abandoning the indicated measures of maintaining a healthy distance of two meters, and washing your hands frequently for more than 20 seconds.
Experts point out that it is a responsibility to make the use of face masks mandatory and it is not a coercive measure as has been pointed out in some forums, but rather a security measure, as is done with the use of seat belts for those who circulate. in a passenger car or bus.
We have repeatedly seen that the Head of Government of Mexico City has appeared in public wearing a face mask. But we know that the presidents in the United States and Mexico do not usually do it, and that is due to lack of scientific information.