The specter of rising COVID-19 cases is once again casting a shadow across the nation, with southern states reporting a significant surge in caseloads. This uptick has prompted medical professionals to issue a collective plea that it's time to dust off those masks and include them back into our daily lives. The memory of mass hysteria, tight lockdowns, and a state of zero contact remains vivid in most people's minds, and medical professionals stress that preventive efforts are key to avoiding a return to those difficult times.
Experts Reveal Why Masks Still Matter
When the country last went through a comparable surge, its effects on everyday life were a little too harsh. Schools and companies closed, social interactions were tightly constrained, and an overarching feeling of dread hung in the air. The healthcare system was stretched to its limits, and the economic repercussions were felt across all sectors. "We've seen the devastating effects of unbridled spread," commented Dr Bhumesh Tyagi, Consultant, General Medicine and Physician at Shardacare, Health City, Noida. "The goal now is to do everything within our power to ensure that history doesn't repeat itself, and that this current surge subsides without significantly disrupting our routines."
The editorial team at Onlymyhealth recently spoke to leading medical experts who shed light on the urgent need for a renewed focus on preventive measures, particularly masking. Here is everything they shared with us and you need to know about how to deal with this commotion again.
Dr Tyagi also highlighted the effectiveness of masks in curbing transmission. He stated, "Masks act as a physical barrier, significantly reducing the expulsion of respiratory droplets by an infected individual and providing a degree of protection to the wearer. In a situation where case numbers are climbing, even asymptomatic carriers can unknowingly spread the virus. Universal masking in public spaces can dramatically slow down the transmission chain." He further elaborated that while vaccines offer robust protection against severe illness, they do not entirely prevent infection or transmission, making supplementary measures like masking vital during periods of increased viral activity.
Why Protecting Our Children Is All The Way More Important
Providing an added important perspective from the pediatric side, Dr Sampath Kumar, Pediatrician at Bengaluru's Kinder Hospital, underscored the vulnerability of children and the possibility of schools turning into transmission hotspots if protocols are not adhered to. "Children, particularly those who aren't yet eligible for vaccination or have comorbid health problems, are especially at risk," Dr Kumar said. He emphasised that "As per the guidelines by WHO masking in schools and other crowded environments where children congregate is a simple yet very effective way to protect our youngest population and prevent large-scale outbreaks that could force educational institutions to shut their doors again."
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According to him, children normally present a much milder form of the infection and early detection would be difficult, bringing precautionary measures even more crucial for their health and maintenance of their education without interruption.
Bottomline
The message from the medical community is clear: while we have made significant strides in understanding and managing COVID-19 since the initial waves, vigilance still remains paramount. The current surge is a critical reminder that the virus is still circulating and capable of impacting our lives if we let our guard down. Together, we can reduce and prevent another wave of virus spread by each taking turns trying to be extra careful by practicing good hygiene habits such as putting on masks when several people are in one building, keeping hands washed, and avoiding public places when they are unwell.