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The issue of oral protection has been a topic of debate in Sweden since the start of the corona pandemic. Despite the pressure for recommendations, the most recent in the line of the expert group of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the attitude of the Public Health Agency has been the same: the data is too uncertain.
But during the Swedish Public Health Agency’s press conference on Tuesday, Anders Tegnell sought to open the door that the use of mouth guards in workplaces may be an appropriate measure to limit the spread of infection.
– The definition that exists on this about what are risky contacts has been talked about 1-2 meters for 15 minutes, said Tegnell.
Anders Tegnell on oral protection: “It was just a discussion”
But the fact that there was talk of a change of opinion on the subject counterattacks Anders Tegnell. For Expressen, he develops his answer, which he thinks is just a definition.
– It was over-interpreted, it was just a discussion about contacts. What I said is that, among other things, the WHO has 1-2 meters for 15 minutes as a definition to be able to trace any contact in case of infection. If you want to be able to work with infection tracking, you must have a definition.
On what do you base that definition?
– This is a good question, large organizations try to make a reasonable interpretation of the available data. You have set the level there, because you have to be able to say something. You can’t track everyone, but you have to set the limit somewhere.
So that’s just a definition?
– Yes, you have it to see who you’ve been in contact with, as a frame. It is not possible to test this to see exactly at what distances and at what time infection occurs.
Workplaces account for about a third of the spread of infection in society. But according to Tegnell, there are other measures that do more good than the mouth guard.
– First of all, we recommend that you work from home. But in the workplace, it’s more about keeping your distance, the coffee room, among other things, and having good hygiene. I think we all see that in countries that require mouth protection, there is still a strong spread of the infection. Mouth protection is not the salvation we bow to, says Tegnell.
“It is a constant evaluation”
Despite advice on homework and reduced activities, congestion on buses and trains has continued to be reported in various parts of the country. Since last summer, all neighboring Nordic countries have introduced requirements or recommendations on oral protection in public transport. Anders Tegnell sees that it makes no sense for Sweden to do the same.
– If we look at our Nordic neighbors, no evaluation of this has been done and it is not possible to see any effect of this. The few studies that do exist suggest that it is a small part, 4 to 5 percent, of the spread of infection that occurs on public transportation.
So no recommendation on mouth guards is relevant?
– Not at the moment, but it is a constant evaluation that we do with the regions to see if it is worth the effort.
Great desire for mouthwashes.
Hear from the CEO of Apotea on the high demand.
