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The senior Swedish medical official argued that data on the effectiveness of mask wearing amid the Covid-19 pandemic has so far been inconclusive. The country’s academy of sciences, meanwhile, says the opposite is true.
“The use of masks is a controversial issue. The state of knowledge on this subject is uncertain. “ Karin Tegmark Wisell, who heads the Swedish Public Health Agency’s microbiology department, told reporters on Thursday.
“In Sweden, we aim to use social distancing as the number one tool. We don’t see that we are at a point where we could recommend the use of masks in public transport. “
“Masks should not be used as an excuse not to keep a distance”, Said Wisell. She reiterated that there was “Shared opinion” on when the mask would be effective, adding that the government will continue to “Actively” monitor new and relevant data.
At the same time, the official admitted that the situation was “very serious,” as the government saw the “consequences” the recent spike in cases for the health system.
Wisell’s tone on the masks contrasts with the recommendations of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which were also released on Thursday. The institution, which awards Nobel Prizes in physics, chemistry and economics, said masks remained an important way to reduce the spread of the virus indoors and on public transport.
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“Today there is new experimental and epidemiological evidence that masks reduce the risk of airborne transmission, and none shows that this could have the opposite effect,” said microbiologist Staffan Normark, head of the academy’s Covid-19 expert group.
“Of course, it is equally important to follow the recommendations of the Swedish Public Health Agency. But to quickly reduce the infection rate, we need to use all the tools in the toolbox, including masks and ventilation. “
At the start of the pandemic, Sweden took a drastically different approach from most European countries. Stockholm relied heavily on voluntary social distancing and self-isolation, as opposed to a strict nationwide lockdown and forcing everyone to wear masks. The “Swedish model” has garnered a lot of attention around the world and sparked debate at home and abroad.
Sweden has a higher Covid-19 death rate per capita than its northern neighbors. More than 6,300 people have died in the country from the coronavirus on Thursday. Earlier in November, Stockholm’s senior health official Bjorn Eriksson told local media that there had been a 60% increase in the number of patients hospitalized for Covid-19 in just one week.
The situation prompted Prime Minister Stefan Lofven to ban public gatherings of more than eight people from November 24. He also advised people not to attend parties and to refrain from going to gyms and cinemas.
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