As delta variety spreads, new limitations increase – biggest question mark remains due to masks

What to do with the masks?

The Deputy Minister of Health, Živilė Simonaitytė, when asked if people should not be recommended more to wear masks, assured that this is the perception of conscious people, therefore, it is very important that the public understand that not a element, if not all elements are important. when fighting the virus.

“You see, when it comes to virus management, everyone keeps saying that there is no single tool, but a combination of tools: wearing masks, keeping your distance, personal hygiene, vaccinations and other items. [Negalime] Take an item out of the toolbox and say that it can only work or not work, we agree that a combination of items works, so in this case the most important thing is that those responsible understand it: even if they are immunized, you should Probably not only wear masks in larger gatherings, but also keep your distance, sanitize your hands.

All this is important, but, of course, it is also important for us to return to a normal life, because we also have other health problems, such as mental health, other consequences associated with a long quarantine, a long absence from normal life. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate not only the masks, but the entire complex of elements: life, health and others, ”says Ž. Simonaitytė.

When asked by onyx immunologist Marius Strioga on Delfi’s TV show “Facts and Opinions” if we don’t relax too much, considering face masks, or if we should look at it a little more strictly, he assured that it would be logical and responsible to wear masks. indoor.

“Knowing the delta strain and the fact that even if they are sick or vaccinated, it means that they have an immune response, although two or three times less often, but they can become infected, and there is the same concentration of the virus in the upper respiratory tract for some time. Although, of course, we do not know if that virus is viable, it may be covered by components of the immune response. The fact that a virus is detected does not mean that it is viable, and until it is proven, we have to think that for some time and these immunized people can become infected, they can infect others. Of course, in this case, they should be distinguished from non-immunized people as soon as possible, [kad nepalaikytų] contact, but if there are immunized people inside, it would probably be logical and responsible to wear masks: they themselves will not have serious consequences, but they can contribute to the spread of the virus. So the responsible people who get vaccinated already understand this problem ”, says M. Strioga.

Seimas member Aurelijus Veryga says that we need to distinguish several important things, and people really want clear and logical solutions.

“I would like consistency and logic. I understand what the deputy minister is saying about the whole set of measures, but I believe that the measures are not, or at least should not be, a kind of punishment or bonusesbecause we are talking about a certain logic of infection control and, as has been correctly said, now it is not clear whether a person who is vaccinated but infected or infects the virus, and when we associate the use of masks with a passport, we go on to in a kind of mental illness, health measure rather than infection control. I don’t think it is necessary to put these tools together, there are mental health problems and virus control problems. It must be clear to people, and it should not be just a matter of conscience, because a person must be explained that yes, they can be infected, “says A. Veryga in the program.

Stroke – the immune response is gradually suppressed

When asked how dangerous the delta strain is and which is the most prevalent, Mr. Strioga emphasized that it is prevalent among both immunized and non-immunized people.

“It is spread between both immunized and non-immunized people, as I mentioned, there is evidence that non-immunized people are two to three times more likely to get it, but most champagne splashes are caused by the saying that it can infect e immunize. especially vaccinated people, on very rare occasions they can contract a serious form of the disease and very rarely they can die. You need to consider several factors. We know that the most vaccinated population is the elderly with other diseases. You have to look at the subgroups that fall, perhaps those that in principle are more vulnerable to any virus whose immune response is no longer as complete as the youngest, perhaps this group, or who are relatively healthy people vaccinated.

That is one aspect. Another thing is to look at how long it has been since they were immunized. After all, people in the highest-risk groups were vaccinated first, and data from Israel shows that those who were vaccinated in January, February, and those who were vaccinated in April or March, have significantly different risks. Those who were vaccinated later are less likely to become infected. What does this mean? We know that the immune response is gradually suppressed, simply if there is no threat, it is not profitable for the body to maintain an enormous capacity against a particular enemy in the absence of this. Of course, the components of memory are “turned on” and we all know it, but it takes a few days, so some studies may suggest that the virus vaccination spreads more briefly because simply your immune response may have faded; and during the period when the immune response to memory is fully operational and lasts between three and five days, they can be temporarily contagious, ”says Strioga on the show.

When Veryga asked him if the third dose should be sped up and delivered, he assured us that we have a bigger challenge first to vaccinate people with the first and second doses.

“I think we still have to work on the first and second doses before moving on to the third. The third dose, I think it will inevitably come, this issue is already a bit relevant for those patients who are the most vulnerable, and the booster vaccination with the third dose of vaccine has started in Lithuania, apparently the doctors will be the first group to face the reinforcement. vaccination because they were the first to be vaccinated when vaccination started in Lithuania. But we still have a lot of people, which Marius rightly warned, and older people who have many chronic diseases and whose chances of dying from being infected are sometimes higher anyway, we haven’t vaccinated them even in the first place. or second dose.

There are countries that report that one hundred percent of this population is already vaccinated, unfortunately we have a third of the rest of unvaccinated people aged 65 and over, another half of unvaccinated people aged 80 and over, so the risk for These people are very high and every effort should be made to vaccinate, first, the second dose ”, assures A. Veryga.

Strioga: Such incitement to mistrust is psychological loitering

Strioga says she is saddened that people should be encouraged to get vaccinated in various ways, such as money or other special means.

“I will say: I am saddened that one of the greatest discoveries in medical science that has revolutionized the eradication of smallpox is almost on the verge of extinction is rubella, polio, and the tool that is so effective , which is one of the greatest achievements in medical history at least, it should be offered that way. Another important achievement is the discovery of antibiotics, “says Strioga.

“There is a lot of opposition like this, a lot of people who are completely, let’s say, incompetent, who don’t realize it, and are spreading unfounded things. In my opinion, such incitement to distrust in the media that can control the virus in the heat of a pandemic is psychological loitering. Those people can have and express their opinions, but if this is done during this period and it aggravates the situation … It saddens me. Of course, it is best when the incentives are pleasant to the person. “They should exist, but the saddest thing is when all the restrictions and segregation talks start, and that’s only because people are encouraged to choose one of the greatest medical achievements,” says M. Strioga.

Simonaitytė: We can expect to have vaccinated 70 percent of adults in September

When asked by the deputy minister what the outlook for vaccination is now, she assured us that we could achieve quite high results by September.

“If we look at current vaccination rates, we will definitely get 70 percent, and we will probably get it very soon; As for the adult population, we have already vaccinated 66% of the population. Of all people 18 years of age or older, the number is quite significant. It looks like we could have that 70 percent in September.

Maybe not this week, but the data for next week, if the rate remains the same, do not think that vaccination rates should decrease, it is likely that by September we can expect adults to have been vaccinated at 70 per cent. hundred, at least one dose. We understand that with the spread of the delta strain, it is very important that people get vaccinated with both doses; It will take a little longer before we get to the second dose element, ”says the deputy minister.