WHO Stands Agency On Utilizing Masks To Fight COVID-19

The World Well being Group (WHO) has reiterated its agency advice that carrying masks is an efficient methodology to forestall the unfold of COVID-19 in a media briefing on Wednesday.

Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead for COVID-19, stated that coronavirus remains to be in circulation and carrying applicable face masks is likely one of the methods to forestall the unfold of the virus. 

“I reiterate that the usage of masks continues to be a part of our technique to scale back the unfold. We’ve got a technique that’s based mostly on vaccinations, on distancing as a lot as attainable as we go about our lives, carrying of well-fitting masks once we’re round others, and notably on public transportation and definitely amongst well being staff.”

In January 2023, Cochrane printed a complete evaluation of 78 randomized managed trials (RCTs) performed in a number of international locations over a time frame, together with six RCTs performed throughout COVID-19 pandemic, concluded that carrying face masks “makes little or no distinction to the end result of influenza‐like sickness (ILI)/COVID-19 like sickness in comparison with not carrying masks”. 

The research stated that there’s uncertainty concerning the results of face masks. “The pooled outcomes of RCTs didn’t present a transparent discount in respiratory viral an infection with the usage of medical/surgical masks. There have been no clear variations between the usage of medical/surgical masks in contrast with N95/P2 respirators in healthcare staff when utilized in routine care to scale back respiratory viral an infection.”

“There was a scientific assessment that was printed that was taking a look at randomized managed trials,” Van Kerkhove stated, including that as a corporation, the WHO appears in any respect obtainable proof on the difficulty. 

“We proceed to take a look at all obtainable proof that’s supplied to us, that’s printed by this pandemic in addition to taking a look at different research of different respiratory ailments, together with flu, influenza-like sickness, acute respiratory infections and extreme acute respiratory infections,” she added.

“Masks stay one of many suggestions that we’ve got as a result of we all know that they’re efficient at stopping a few of the transmission. They’re not excellent and that’s why we’ve got a complete technique, a layered method of many several types of interventions,” pressured Van Kerkhove.

Working round sanctions on Syria

The WHO additionally advised the media briefing that it’s making the absolute best use of the pause in sanctions towards Syria to make sure that assist reaches the individuals who have been affected by the earthquake. 

Round 47,100 folks have been killed within the devastating earthquake that struck Syria and components of Turkiyë on 6 February. A number of international locations together with the US have imposed sanctions on Syria in an try to pressurise the regime of Bashar al-Assad to cease killing civilians.

Nevertheless, sanctions have been relaxed to allow assist to achieve these affected by the earthquake. 

Explaining that the WHO is working with different UN companions to acquire and mobilize medical gear and provides, Dr Abdi Rahaman Mahamud stated that the reduction work is shifting in the correct path. 

In response to the worldwide mobilization of assist to Syria and Turkiyë, the US authorities launched a compliance doc on Tuesday for these prepared to mobilize assist.