The Health Risk Watch and Anticipation Committee has issued new recommendations in the face of the Covid, flu and bronchiolitis epidemics.
SourceAFP
© MYRIAM TIRLER / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP
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HASwhen France is faced with “an active resumption of circulation of Sars-CoV-2, an epidemic threshold crossing of influenza and an intense and early epidemic of bronchiolitis”, and with the approach of “the next holiday season year, a source of significant intergenerational mixing”, the Health Risk Watch and Anticipation Committee (Covars), successor to the Scientific Council, issued new recommendations on Monday, December 19, encouraging to “amplify as quickly as possible” the barrier gestures and vaccination. However, he did not speak out for or against an obligation to wear a mask in closed places.
On the mask, the committee observes the “very low level of wearing a mask in public transport and other closed places” and specifies that “the benefit” of a general wearing in such places “would relate to the three current epidemics “, in its new opinion submitted to the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
Arguments in favor of the mandatory mask
The Covars, chaired by immunologist Brigitte Autran, does not decide for or against the obligation to wear a mask, but lists the arguments in favor of an obligation (“low efficiency of the recommendation messages maintained”, etc.) and against (“perception of the limitation of individual freedoms”…)
In the “new elements to help public decision-making on wearing a mask”, he points to the “critical situation of the hospital”, the loss of effectiveness of preventive treatments for certain immunocompromised people, the low levels of vaccination against Covid and influenza in often identical risk populations. Obligation or not, the committee recommends “reinforcing the accessibility/free availability of masks in all places where they are needed”, “limiting their cost and ensuring their distribution to all people wishing to use it.
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For vaccination, the Covars calls for “intensifying” it against Covid and the flu, with “incentive and transparent communication intended for the general population”, “reinforced communication intended for caregivers on the benefits and limits of vaccination reminders”, strong and rapid actions towards certain populations, or even the reopening of specific centres.
If it has rebounded in recent weeks, the autumn anti-Covid vaccination remains behind, reflecting “the difficulties, for the population and certain health professionals, in understanding the objectives of these repeated reminders”. However, several recent data “confirm the benefit of the 2e and 3e real-life reminders against symptomatic and severe forms of Covid-19”, underlines the opinion.
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