As calls for the removal of masks mount, some public health experts have warned that it would probably be unwise to remove masks completely, especially indoors, as many countries are not yet out of the woods. According to medical scientist and associate professor at Cape Peninsula University of Technology Glenda Davison, the country would be in a good position to ditch masks once SA vaccination rates rose to 70%. Currently it is less than 50%. “Viruses evolve and new variants can arise. So we have to be very careful,” she says. “But that being said, I…
As calls for the removal of masks mount, some public health experts have warned that it would probably be unwise to remove masks completely, especially indoors, as many countries are not yet out of the woods.
According to medical scientist and associate professor at Cape Peninsula University of Technology Glenda Davison, the country would be in a good position to ditch masks once SA vaccination rates rose to 70%. Currently it is less than 50%.
“Viruses evolve and new variants can arise. So we have to be very careful,” she says.
“But that said, I think we can get rid of the masks, especially outdoors and in situations where there’s good ventilation and no overcrowding.”
Vaccinologist Professor Shabir Madhi urged health and education departments to cut masks in schools, as many South Africans had already developed protections, particularly against serious illness and death.
“It is important to review our understanding of the benefits masks have provided us during the pandemic,” he said.
“The majority of South Africans have now developed protection against serious illness and death, either because of immunity caused by a past infection that now affects 80% of all South Africans, or immunity caused by vaccines.”
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But Davison said, although “I would drop wearing masks outdoors and in well-ventilated situations” [I would still keep the mandate] for crowded indoor events until vaccination rates have risen above 70%.”
Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen said Covid restrictions are now meaningless and hurting SA’s economy. He continued to push for the lifting of all remaining restrictions.
“Covid is no longer a bigger threat, it’s time to treat it in the same way as other health risks such as HIV, tuberculosis, cancer and maternal death… on the basis that they do more harm than good through the social and economic recovery. ”
He said March 23 would be two years since SA went into a three-week lockdown to prepare for the pandemic.
Since then, hundreds of thousands of people had lost their jobs and thousands of livelihoods destroyed. Health Minister Joe Phaahla said last Friday that his department would make recommendations to the National Coronavirus Command Council, including whether masks were still needed.
“If you look at [other countries] you will find different views, so we have to find a balance between all those views… Nothing is off the table,’ he added.
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