Hanging masks in enclosed spaces: a late measure that denies the reality of the epidemic

The Brazilian Association of Collective Health (ABRASCO) considers the measure announced by the city of Rio de Janeiro to suspend the mandatory use of masks in indoor spaces premature and inappropriate.

Brazil and the world are still in an epidemic situation, with huge disparities in access to vaccines inside and outside the country. In addition, we still do not have the true scale of the increase in cases caused by carnival holiday agglomerations, which requires caution so that we can have a more solid assessment of the epidemic situation in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro as well as in the metropolitan area.

There is no island municipality. Analyzes and decisions must take into account the local context, but also the regional context. In addition, with the start of school activities, it is necessary that vaccination passports are required in all schools (public and private), especially those that include age groups from 5 to 11 years, since only 8.4% of such children have a full vaccination schedule. Booster vaccination (the third dose), which reaches only 42.3% of the population, is also progressing very slowly, making the elimination of physical protective measures (masks, social distancing, hand washing) an early act.

Reality will not deny that Brazil will be able to return to normal, but on the contrary, it will face its social and health challenges with responsibility and maturity, on the basis of the principles of equal access to vaccines and precautions in the adoption of preventive protection. procedures.

Rio de Janeiro, 08 March 2022

Abrasco – Brazilian Association for Collective Health

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