One of the European countries where the use of face masks is also currently mandatory in public transport is Italy.
Photo: Boumen Japet/SHUTTERSTOCK
Ilze Kalve, “Latvijas Avīze”, AS “Latvijas Mediji”
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At a time when Latvia’s covid numbers are stubbornly increasing and Stradiņa Hospital is considering the possibility of limiting the flow of patient visitors again due to Covid-19, we are of course not alone in our problems. Larger or smaller outbreaks of covid are observed in many places in Europe.
“Worldometers” statistics show that in the last few days, in terms of the number of new cases, Germany is the leader in Europe in terms of absolute numbers, followed immediately by France, then Italy and the United Kingdom.
In terms of the latest covid statistics, it even looks quite moderate, however, the British are already talking about a new wave of covid and are worried that this disease may never become a “normal” seasonal illness.
Traveling through Europe – with or without a mask?
As we know, the number of cases has increased across Europe, with several countries deciding to re-impose restrictions.
The “ww.reopen.europa.eu” website, which is available both in the computer version and as a mobile phone app, collects all restrictions and regulations in one place, information is available for 33 countries in 14 languages, including Latvian – along with a warning that it is a machine translation. It is important that the last information update dates are also shown.
By changing countries in the menu, you can quickly check the travel and transit regulations, get information about wearing masks and Covid-19 certificates. For example, choosing Italy, you can read that until September 30, you need to wear FFO2 face masks in public transport, as well as in hospitals, and it is also recommended to do it in closed rooms.
But in Estonia, face masks in public transport are not mandatory, only recommended. In the Latvian section, at the beginning under “National health measures” it is written that face masks in public transport are only recommended, but a few lines down under “Use of facemasks” it is mandatory.
We have to conclude that obviously not all the information found in the link is 100% accurate, it also happens by mistake.
Those who enter from another EU country should expect restrictions only in France and Malta, however, Malta promises to lift all Covid-19 restrictions on entry on July 25.
A slightly different picture opens up in the section on entry from third countries, where there are more prohibitions and restrictions. British media have just reported Spain’s decision to require either proof of vaccination, a negative Covid-19 test result or a document of recovery from the virus.
Continuing with vaccines
Meanwhile, in Great Britain, despite the call for a return to masks and restrictions published in the British Medicine Journal and Health Service Journal, Health Minister Steve Barclay believes that booster vaccines are more effective than restrictions, reminding that autumn vaccination will start in September.
“Just as vaccines helped us regain freedom, they will help us preserve it,” Barkley says, adding that we can now protect ourselves with science, not prohibition.
The British are predicting new outbreaks of covid in the country both in autumn and around Christmas. In order to reduce winter illnesses, residents aged 50 and over will be offered both the Covid-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine. For those over 78, the fall booster vaccine will be the fifth in a row, but for residents with a weakened immune system, even the sixth.
Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are currently being planned. It is possible that this booster vaccine program will not be the last, but will continue in the future, as immunity is known to wane over time.
Initially, experts hoped that covid would become a seasonal viral illness, like influenza and other upper respiratory viruses, which are very active in the winter but can be almost forgotten about during the rest of the year.
Well, it looks like hopes were in vain as the number of Covid-19 cases in the UK has just risen to 800,000 in one week, with some parts of the country approaching this spring’s record highs.
Although hospitalizations for Covid-19 patients in England, currently at 1,911, could soon become the highest in 18 months, surpassing 2,100, only a third have Covid-19 as their underlying illness. 64% of patients end up in the hospital for another reason, so the overall population could have many cases of illness, but fortunately in a mild form.
A number of hospitals in England have already introduced the requirement to use face masks. Professor of Medicine Paul Hunter of the University of East Anglia says the worst is over: “One thing you have to look at very carefully is how you interpret the infection numbers because it looks like there are a lot more hospitalizations and deaths than before. But in fact, this happens because mild cases of illness are no longer registered.”
The professor supports the wearing of face coverings in hospitals, but does not believe it is necessary elsewhere.
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