Face masks no longer mandatory, responsibility comes first
- Written by Lourdes Pichs Rodríguez
- Published in Opinion
- Hits: 5401
“Our vaccines and the national vaccination strategy, combined with the rest of the hygienic-sanitary measures adopted, have allowed us to be in a scenario with a low level of transmission of the virus and the isolated diagnosis of cases”, explained Dr. José Ángel Portal Miranda, Minister of Public Health, at the Round Table TV program last Monday.
In this way, Portal Miranda recognized that Cuba is moving towards the manifest control of the epidemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, for which he announced the modification of some measures of the National Plan to Confront COVID-19, as of May 31, in accordance with the current epidemiological scenario.
There are several adjustments made to the protocol, including some related to epidemiological surveillance at the border and within the country; those referring to population studies in institutions and communities with high epidemiological risk and others of a collective and individual nature.
But, without a doubt, the one that has given the most to talk about is that of “eliminating the use of the nasobuco (face mask) for all social activities, except in medical consultations and hospitalization services that require it and restriction areas with spotlight controls”.
Although the nasobuco should be used by people with respiratory symptoms and it is also recommended in crowded settings, in which the necessary physical distance does not exist; however, it is now the responsibility of the individual to decide when and where to protect himself in those places where its use is no longer unavoidable.
This is how we have seen it during the first days of the week in the city of Holguín, where on May 31 there were more who, in the streets, workplaces and of studies, had their mouth and nose covered by the face masks.
A matter of habit, prudence, precaution or responsibility. We could not say which of them has been the one that has driven a large part of the population, specifically the elderly and children, to continue wearing their masks; although there are not a few young people who have chosen to continue using it even to attend school and other daily activities.
Noticing this majority attitude, I remembered the days when the mandatory use of the mask brought with it rejection in a large part of the population, which brought the adoption of measures against those who did not comply with the regulations set by the MINSAP, despite being one of the main measures to prevent the transmission of the virus.
With the passage of time, the majority understood that the decision was a necessity and that is why today, when the opportunity to “liberate” the face came, many cling to the mask, while others claim to use it when riding the bus and other means of public transport; closed places or when they understand that there is a danger of contagion.
Little by little, the difficult moments due to the pandemic are left behind and now we can see again the smile in the faces of the people and listen to concerns about makeup, lipstick and a long beard, while that new "friend" and the little bottle of alcohol that accompanied us for more than two years are close at hand in some pocket or purse, just in case and because to be healthy, responsibility comes first.
