Fredrik Elgh: Before the widespread use of mouth guards

Of: Beri Zangana

Published: December 18, 2020 at 8:09 p.m.
Updated: December 18, 2020 at 11:06 p.m.

The issue of oral protection has been one of the most debated issues in the crown pandemic.

The Swedish Public Health Agency has come up with a new recommendation: use mouth guards in public transport.

– I do not understand why the Public Health Agency does not recommend the use of mouth guards in all situations, says Fredrik Elgh, professor of virology at Umeå University.

The Swedish Public Health Agency tightens restrictions and introduces a number of new ones.

As of January 7, the use of mouth guards is recommended in public transport at certain times. It’s about “when congestion can’t be avoided”. The government will return with more details on this.

“It is depressed”

Fredrik Elgh is chief physician and professor of virology at Umeå University. He also sits as a deputy on the municipal council of the Center Party in Umeå and is one of those who demanded stricter restrictions, but also the use of mouth guards.

– I think it’s great that there are stronger restrictions, but I still get depressed when I hear CEO Johan Carlsson talk about oral protection, says Fredrik Elgh.

Photo: Per Melander / Umeå University

Fredrik Elgh, professor of virology at Umeå University.

Is not sufficient

When it comes to mouth guards, Fredrik Elgh believes they will make a difference. It will work, but the new recommendations are not enough, he says.

– It would have been better to recommend a widespread use of mouth guards in Sweden, in solidarity between people, to reduce the spread of infection, says Fredrik Elgh.

Fredrik Elgh says he does not understand why the Swedish Public Health Agency does not recommend the use of mouth guards in all situations.

He is also requesting a temporary pandemic law in Sweden pending the pandemic law that is expected to take effect in March next year. Fredrik Elgh believes that this would have made a difference.

– Then you can force people to have mouth guards, give them fines if they don’t have them, says Fredrik Elgh.

Published: December 18, 2020 at 8:09 p.m.