FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE
Long after most nations in the world urged their citizens to wear masks, and after months of hand-wringing about the quality of evidence available, finally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) on last Friday endorsed the use of masks by the people to reduce transmission of Coronavirus. This comes after several rounds of mixed messages by the organisation and various public health authorities worldwide about the value of face coverings in staying safe during this pandemic. While it is certain that most standard masks or much less, face coverings cannot keep out all the micro-droplets carrying the contagion, various studies have indicated that masks block nearly 100 per cent of exhaled virus droplets and aerosols, significantly increasing an individual’s chances of not being infected. With basic screening methods unable to identify asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic individuals, masks are, by and large, the first and best line of defence for the general public alongside other precautions. There needs to be strong and relentless communication from authorities about the necessity of wearing masks and practising social distancing. It should be reinforced by spot fines for anyone coming out on the streets without masks. Japanese Prime Minister Mr Shinzo Abe, for example, doesn’t step out unmasked. Japan’s 3C approach — avoiding ‘closed areas, crowded spaces and close contact’ message has helped the country achieve better containment outcomes with a
less stringent lockdown. All this must be reinforced with proper instructions on how to wear masks as many people, including news reporters, have been spotted wearing their masks in ways that don’t cover the nose adequately for the sake of comfort, completely nullifying the benefits of the mask. Finally, the authorities in India must stop seeing lockdowns as a grand panacea. If they were, India shouldn’t be at 2.50
lakh cases now from 500-odd on March 24 after applying the world’s most stringent lockdowns. On the contrary, nuclear options like lockdowns have sapped India’s economic vitality. Hence as the government has allowed the economy and
livelihoods to resume, it’s incumbent upon the individuals to take their personal protections for staying healthy.
..... KHOKAN DAS, WEST BENGAL via email