People who had COVID-19, who live with vulnerable relatives and who work in places of attention to the public are reluctant, for now, to leave a mask

Javier Lliguin, a 37-year-old street vendor, will not stop wearing the mask. “It’s not like we’re 100% yet. I do intend to wear a mask, ”he assured.

He was standing a few meters from the Metropolitan cultural center in downtown Quito on Friday. She suffered from coronavirus in January 2022, although it was mild. He is already with the third dose of vaccine.

Viviana Jiménez, who was walking through Quito’s historic center, carried her mask in her right hand. This is because she -she commented- if in some places she has it, she will use it.

He pointed out that he no longer covered his mouth, since there is a government provision not to use it in open spaces, but he will do so in the educational establishment where he studies. The young woman mentioned feeling better because the mask suffocates her.

For Jéssica Burgot, wearing a mask affects more than the coronavirus. She argued that she swallows carbon monoxide. She attended a commercial premises and the mask was in the middle of her chin.

“Today, because as they said they shouldn’t (use it) I have it down here, but a client arrives and I upload it,” he said. He hopes that the business will improve with the government provision.

“There is still a lot of fear of contagion, but I think that it is up to each person to take care of oneself,” he reflected.

Quito goes on white alert by accepting the resolution of the national COE to no longer wear a mask; Authorities suggest continuing to use it indoors

This is how several citizens of the capital received the announcement by President Guillermo Lasso that after two years of the pandemic, as of this Thursday, April 28, 2022, the use of the mask in open and closed spaces is no longer mandatory. Quito accepted the measure of the national COE, although other cities such as Guayaquil partially took it because it will still require face masks in closed places.

The national Emergency Operations Committee (COE) ordered that the provision to present the vaccination certificate with the complete schedule, that is, three doses, to access non-essential activities remain in force.

In addition, it recommended its use in closed places, such as public transport, air transport, classrooms of educational establishments and work spaces.

In other Ecuadorian cities there are people who consider continuing with the routine of wearing masks, especially those who have vulnerable people, because they have permanent contact with people or suffered from COVID-19.

Mishell Lafuente, a 33-year-old engineer who had COVID-19 at the beginning of 2022 and who lives in Guayaquil, indicated that the mask will only be removed in open places or where there is ventilation. At her job, a food plant, everyone will continue to wear masks. ”If I go to a concert or where there is a lot of crowds like in the Bay, for example, not yet; at least not until you see that the infection rates have not risen steadily after the release of the use of a mask ”.

Annabelle Verdesoto, a 28-year-old communicator, will also continue to wear a mask because she considers that many people are still not vaccinated. “And one does not know at what point the virus will stir again. She, despite the two years of the pandemic, was never infected and neither was her father, which is why she continues to take extreme care.

“Before entering my house we still disinfect our shoes and hands with alcohol,” said the woman.

Juan Miguel Salinas, a 62-year-old retiree, pointed out that the presidential announcement will not change his routine much, he will continue to wear a mask when he leaves his house or when he has to approach strangers.

“Without a doubt, this announcement gives some peace of mind, but I don’t know if I got COVID or not, I’m a diabetic man, so I prefer to prevent. If in a few months the infections do not rise, I will relax a little more, “said Salinas.

Víctor Álvarez, from the Provincial Medical Observatory of Pichincha, considered that the decision is a bit hasty, it should be gradual and supported by evidence.

The ideal, he said, is that the restriction of the mask would have been eliminated first in open environments, then make an evaluation and then apply it in closed environments.

For him, it is important to carry out a process of educating citizens on the need to maintain care criteria, mainly when respiratory symptoms occur. “We hope that in the month of May we will not have a rebound in cases,” he said.

COE of Guayaquil decides to maintain mandatory use of masks in closed spaces, such as campuses, markets and shopping centers

Juan Carlos Navarro, biologist and Ph. D., in molecular epidemiology of emerging diseases, thought it correct to eliminate the mandatory use of a mask in open spaces, but he was surprised that it is also for closed spaces, which, in certain circumstances, should be maintained. .

Although he recalled that the resolution of the national COE “recommends”, keeping it in places such as public transport or classrooms does not mention massive events or nightclubs.

It is correct for Navarro that it be kept in hospital centers and that vulnerable people continue to use it.

The “recommendations” should be assumed as a social responsibility, although it does not happen most of the time, he said.

What is the scenario for Guayaquil after the government decision to abandon the use of masks? Epidemiologist and intensivists give their criteria

Santiago Ron, university professor and Ph. D. in Evolutionary Biology, lifting the mandatory use of the mask in open spaces is a wise measure that should have been taken earlier.

He pointed out that, for example, Quito -at the moment- has few cases of COVID-19 and low excess deaths, although he agreed that the mask is necessary in closed environments without ventilation, especially if there are many people for a long time.

Andrea Gómez, a doctor, health specialist and epidemiologist, is concerned about the low percentage of vaccination against COVID-19 of third doses and compared it with Chile where there is 92%.

According to the vaccinometer, a tool created by the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) to follow the inoculation process, there is 34.68% of the population (5,812,557 people) who have received the first booster or third injection, with figures to April 27, 2022.

“Countries like Italy that have a higher vaccination with a third dose than we maintain mandatory use in closed places were advanced. The United States once again recommended the use of a mask in schools, colleges, universities,” said Gómez.

One factor to take into account, he added, is how the population’s immunity is. In addition to the probabilities of new variants.

The Government is carrying out a study on seroprevalence in the Ecuadorian population, that is, it seeks to estimate how many people have already been infected with the virus.

“Both preventive measures and biosecurity measures, vaccination, and also maintain the use of a mask, especially in closed places, must go hand in hand,” the specialist recommended. (I)