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Is the World Health Organization satisfied ( WHO) with the masks of the Hungarians?
The use of a mask can be interpreted as part of a complex package of public health measures, it is not worth taking it out of that context. This is because the mask alone does not protect you. It is effective if carried by other people and if we follow the other precautions recommended by the WHO and governments. According to one of our surveys, it is effective in slowing the spread of the epidemic when 95 percent of the population wears the mask. Although we do not have statistics on the proportion in Hungary, we know that less than 60 percent of the population in Europe wears a mask.
He mentioned the other precautions. What else should we pay attention to?
Physical distance is of the utmost importance among community precautions. In more and more places, paintings help people to maintain the required distance, but we must also pay attention to this when, for example, we pass someone on the street. We must be especially careful if we notice any symptoms in ourselves. Many do not take the first signs of the disease seriously, they also go to communities with fever. In this case, stay home and inform your GP. If necessary, we should do a test and return to our community only if there is a negative result. By volunteering in quarantine and supporting touch testing, we can do a lot to control the epidemic.
Individual responsibility matters
There are also shortcomings in the investigation of contacts in Hungary. Has the WHO addressed this?
The infection has exploded in Europe, which has also hampered the effectiveness of contact investigation. Disease surveillance has become particularly difficult as the epidemic has infected communities in many countries. Therefore, I must emphasize that government measures, such as contact investigation, can only be effective if other measures are followed. Therefore, it is important that people follow the defense guidelines of the WHO and their governments. Together, government action and the efforts of the people lead to results.
It is difficult to awaken people’s sense of responsibility when the health system is overwhelmed, when they have to pay for tests …
Believe me, this is not the first time that I have come across this opinion. The increase in the number of people infected with Covid-19 places a disproportionate burden on health. Knowing that the increased number of cases is not accompanied by an increase in testing and follow-up capacity, the WHO is trying to help, for example, with its case definition recommendations. A positive PCR test is needed to diagnose the disease, but if we can’t do a test, it will still go a long way toward curbing the epidemic if everyone in close contact volunteers to quarantine and report their situation to the doctor of Headboard.
Are you satisfied with the WHO with the Hungarian government’s epidemic management?
In Europe, the virus later reached Hungary, and in the first wave the government was able to take advantage of it. As a result, he managed to significantly reduce the infection in the spring. However, due to the second wave, the WHO was concerned from the beginning and made a recommendation on social and public health measures. With the lifting of restrictions, the discipline has been relaxed in the world, including Hungary, and this is reflected in the statistics that we are seeing now. The lesson is that preparation for prevention must be taken seriously if we are to be effective. During the fall-winter period, more people are expected to be indoors as well, so the virus will spread faster.
Also in Hungary, strict closures are the most important government steps in defense. How does WHO evaluate them?
According to the WHO, closures are the last line of defense. Drastic action is needed when the health system reaches its performance limits. However, when a government decides on closures, it must take into account additional consequences, such as deteriorating mental health of the population. Children are also at a disadvantage.
The virus hasn’t bored us yet
What can justify the release of closures?
We now know much more about the virus than we did during the first wave. We know the highest risk groups, there are many effective drugs available, and there is good news about vaccine production. This is also reflected in the statistics: although the number of infections has increased, the death rate is lower than the spring figures. However, the disease still holds surprises to this day. And people are getting bored with the epidemic, more and more people question the need to take precautionary measures. However, sadly, the virus has not bored us yet. That is why it is very important that we follow the rules.
He mentioned that due to the closures, governments will have to deal with a number of adverse side effects. Which ones do you consider most important?
In a WHO survey, 93 percent of participating countries reported that their care systems lacked adequate capacity to care for people with mental health problems. This means that with the mental problems they suffer as a result of the closures, most people are left alone. Stress and anxiety are characteristic symptoms of closures, which significantly reduce the psychological resilience of the population. Several international studies are examining the impact of the measures on adolescents, and there will be updated statistics on Hungary. We can already see a significant increase in the number of depressive illnesses in your case. That is why we emphasize the importance of keeping schools open. Also a phenomenon that accompanies the epidemic is the request for food, in the environment that has been impoverished, many people seek the pleasure of eating. These side effects have a long-term effect and we can only understand them later.
Encouraging news about vaccines
He mentioned that good news is coming about vaccine development. When will there be mass production?
At the moment, we can see that many formulations have reached the final experimental phase with good results. Many EU Member States and several pharmaceutical companies have reported encouraging results. However, the adoption of safe and effective vaccines is a matter of time. The logistics of vaccine production and distribution is also a major challenge. WHO is helping Member States prepare for the purchase and use of vaccines. It is accepted that priority should be given to the most vulnerable groups: health workers and the elderly. Meanwhile, additional vaccines will be produced for residential use.
What do you think of the Russian and Chinese vaccines?
WHO monitors research worldwide, with 47 vaccines in clinical development, ten of which are in the third clinical phase. In November, little by little we will begin to see the results of the large-scale pilot phase (involving 30-60 thousand people). The news is encouraging, but we still have to wait for the data on efficiency and safety. We also need to see how long the vaccine protects against the virus and more experience is needed on side effects. Subsequently, the data must be sent to the authorities that issue the authorization of the medicine and the authorization procedure will begin. A who cooperate with each country so that people are vaccinated safely and effectively.
(Cover image: Ledia Lazeri. Photo: Koszticsák Szilárd / MTI)
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