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The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has changed its approach to the use of oral dressings in Norway. Initially, they warned against the infection risk associated with face masks, while now they support a broad recommendation for face masks in Oslo.
FHI is not in principle against a bandage order either, chief physician Preben Aavitsland informs Dagbladet.
On Monday, the city of Oslo recommended to the population the use of masks in all situations in which it is not possible to stay one meter away. The recommendation can include an unlimited number of locations, including supermarkets, restaurants, and workplaces.
– In principle, there is no restriction on the places covered by this recommendation. We target public transportation as a place, but it can also be in shopping malls, IKEA and other places where there are a lot of people and a lot of congestion, city councilor Raymond Johansen tells Dagbladet.
FHI only
Councilmember Raymond Johansen, Health Councilor Robert Steen and Transportation Councilor Lan Marie Berg confirm to Dagbladet that the National Institute of Public Health supports the recommendation.
– The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has sent recommendations that are in line with what we are doing now, so it is up to us to make a political assessment of what we think is prudent, says Johansen.
NIPH’s chief physician, Preben Aavitsland, tells Dagbladet that they help the Oslo municipality deal with the spread of the infection. Johansen stated that the recommendations can be changed to injunctions if the situation worsens.
– We hope that the municipality of Oslo, which is the one that knows your situation best, will carry out the necessary assessments and apply the corresponding measures. In principle, we are not against precautionary measures, Aavitsland tells Dagbladet.
Previous Opinions
Initially, FHI would not recommend the Norwegian population to wear face masks. The main reason was that they believed, and still believe, that the measure is not effective when the infection pressure is low. At the same time, they also warned that it could provide false security and that misuse could pose an infection risk for most people.
Nor would the Norwegian Health Directorate recommend that the population wear a mask initially during the epidemic. Deputy Health Director Espen Nakstad told Dagbladet that if there is an increasing spread of the infection in Norway, then it may be relevant with a bandage for “people in the risk group who cannot avoid close contact with other people.”
Nakstad also said that there would probably not be enough surgical bandages for general use in Norway, regardless of the import situation.
Since then, there have been a number of studies on sanitary napkins, including a study by the University of Oxford that noted that even homemade sanitary napkins have a protective effect on both the user and the people around them.
Also among health professionals
Last week, FHI also opened up to increased use of face masks among health professionals in Norway in local outbreaks.
– In the health service, basic infection control routines are a fundamental pillar in all patient treatment. This means that a risk assessment of the need for protective equipment, including bandages, should be conducted for each situation, section chief Hanne-Merete Eriksen-Volle told Dagbladet, continuing:
– Basic infection control routines therefore allow greater use of mouth bandages in situations of increased local infection.
Eriksen-Volle also noted that FHI recommends considering increased use of face masks among nursing home employees during ongoing outbreaks.
However, the National Institute of Public Health believes that keeping your distance is even more important than wearing a mask. They estimate that the distance of one meter reduces the risk of infection by 80 percent, while the use of a bandage among the population reduces the risk of infection by 40 percent.
Warning
Councilmember Johansen believes more masks can be a reminder.
– I see this is not part of Norwegian culture. It is not familiar to us. In other cities, it is more common to wear a mask. But we see that it can be positive and that it can be a reminder that we are still in a dire situation.
The Councilor for the Transportation Agency, Lan Marie Berg, tells Dagbladet that the municipality in connection with the ongoing bus strike urges the population to avoid public transport.
– Currently there is a lot of pressure on public transport in Oslo. Therefore, we recommend everyone to stay home if possible. We have a situation in the city with an increase in infection and everyone must take responsibility for ensuring that another major infection does not flourish, says Berg, adding:
– Avoid public transportation if absolutely, absolutely not necessary. And if you must; keep your distance and wear a mask. It is a strong recommendation from us.
