The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in the year 2020 prompted a couple of public health safety precautionary measures such as the wearing of face masks, social distancing, and the likes to curtail the spread of the disease.
Although it is globally accepted that the use of face masks is one of the key ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, there is still some debate on how long people should continue to wear masks and when the use of these masks will end.
In this article, we will review the current COVID-19 situation in Nigeria and discuss full vaccination as the basis for easing the use of face masks by our clinic staff.
How Is COVID-19 Spread?
COVID-19, which is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, can be contracted from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing, or breathe.
These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols.
If you are near someone who has COVID-19, you can be infected by breathing in the virus, or by touching a contaminated surface and then putting your hands in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
The virus spreads more easily indoors and in crowded settings.
Recent COVID-19 Reports in Nigeria
Reports have indicated that Nigeria has continued to witness a drop in the daily number of new COVID-19 cases.
The Chairman of PSC and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, revealed last week that the committee has reviewed situations around the world and applied such to the situation in Nigeria.1
The Federal Government recently stated that the wearing of face masks in public places is no longer compulsory as efforts are being made to ease COVID-19 restrictions across the country.
Dr Muktar Muhammed, Head of the Technical Secretariat, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, in Abuja, added that a decision on the final relaxation of COVID-19 measures will be taken after Easter.2
The Negative Effects of Prolonged Use of Face Masks
Wearing face masks for extended periods of time has been proven to have negative effects on the human body.
The most common effect is the restriction of oxygen, which can lead to headaches, dizziness, and even fainting. In more extreme cases, it can lead to death.
Additionally, wearing a face mask can cause difficulty in breathing and an increase in carbon dioxide levels in the blood. This can lead to an increased heart rate and anxiety.
Another negative effect of prolonged use of face masks is that it can cause skin problems. The face mask can rub against the skin and cause irritation. It can also trap sweat and oil on the skin, which can lead to breakouts.
Lastly, the face mask can also make it difficult to communicate with others. When you wear a face mask, you are essentially isolating yourself from those around you. This can make it difficult to hear what others are saying and, consequently, make it hard to understand them.
All these and more, as we will see in the subsequent sections of this post, are the basis for promoting the relaxation of the mandatory use of face masks.
Relaxing The Use of Face Masks
Although some states are still enforcing the use of face masks, most states have relaxed the mandatory use of face masks. The question is, on what basis?
Many public health experts have stated that relaxing the mandatory use of face masks is reasonable in areas where vaccination rates are relatively high and COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates are relatively low.3
One particular CDC expert stated that with vaccination rates above 80–85% or test positivity rates below 5%, it is safe to lift the face mask restrictions.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recently declared that masks and social distancing are no longer necessary for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.4
This move, the agency said, was driven by scientific evidence that the vaccines play a major role in curbing both infections and transmission of the virus.
Effectiveness of Covid-19 Vaccines
In announcing the amended CDC COVID-19 guidelines, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky stated that there are many reports demonstrating the safety and real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccinations.4
Walensky highlighted, in particular, three recent studies that demonstrated the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines on symptomatic and asymptomatic infections.
These findings all add to a growing body of evidence that the vaccines are effective at preventing severe illness and death from COVID-19 and that they help prevent people from spreading the virus to others.
The Benefit of Getting Vaccinated
Getting vaccinated could save your life. COVID-19 vaccines provide strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization, and death.
There is also evidence that being vaccinated will make it less likely that you will pass the virus on to others, which means your decision to get the vaccine also protects those around you.
Our Resolve to Relax the Use of Face Masks
We, at Primecare Fertility Clinic, are promoting the relaxation of the use of face masks on the basis of 100% vaccination of all our staff. This means that all our employees will be fully vaccinated and will no longer need to put on face masks while on our clinic premise.
Patients or people who have been fully vaccinated will also not need to wear face masks while on our premises. On the other hand, patients or people who are not vaccinated will need to put on face masks while on our premises.
Relaxing the face mask mandate doesn’t mean people won’t or can’t wear masks. It just means that fully vaccinated people, whether employees, patients, patient relations, or partners, of our clinic won’t need to wear face masks while in our clinic environment. By implementing this measure, we believe that:
- Our clinic will be safer for both our employees and patients.
- People who visit our clinic will be more likely and willing to get vaccinated if the staff members are fully vaccinated.
Conclusion
With the daily COVID-19 infection rate dropping in Nigeria and the availability and proven effectiveness of vaccines, clinics and organizations can relax the use of face masks on the basis of 100% vaccination of their workforce.
References
- https://tribuneonlineng.com/covid-19-wearing-of-face-masks-in-public-places-now-optional-says-fg/
- https://tribuneonlineng.com/covid-19-wearing-of-face-masks-in-public-places-now-optional-says-fg/
- https://africa.businessinsider.com/science/lifting-mask-mandates-is-reasonable-us-health-experts-say-but-theyre-not-taking-off/zyshtpn
- https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/s-science-convinced-cdc-lift-mask-mandates-rcna932
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