Mask or no mask? WHO says Covid-19 is no more a global health emergency. Do we still need to wear masks?

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Following the declaration by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 5 May that Covid-19 is no longer a global health emergency, the question often asked is: Should we still adhere to COVID-19-appropriate behavior and continue wearing masks?

The recent poster released by the health ministry aimed to emphasize the importance of continued adherence to COVID-appropriate behavior.

However, the perception among some individuals that the pandemic is over stems from a lack of understanding of the complex scientific details involved.

Related: Covid not an health emergency says WHO. What does it mean?

So is Covid-19 a pandemic or not?

“At a recent gathering with my classmates, someone mentioned they had heard that WHO said Covid is over. These are well-informed doctors, possessing extensive training and experience. If even they believe that the pandemic has vanished, it’s a problem,” said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Co-Chairman of the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) National Task Force on the Covid-19 Epidemic.

“WHO has not explicitly declared the end of the pandemic, but only the end of the health emergency due to specific criteria being met,” Dr Jayadevan reminded South First, adding that this should not result in complacency among the public.

So, what does the WHO think about COVID-19? As of May 2023, WHO still considers Covid-19 to be a pandemic.

Related: What are the 12 key symptoms associated with long Covid-19?

Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus did declare that Covid-19 is no longer “a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).”

To use their definition, a PHEIC is: “An extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response.”

“Most people don’t pay much attention to the complicated scientific aspects of things. For them, it’s either there is a pandemic happening or there isn’t — it’s black and white. They don’t think about when it might come back or how it could affect different people,” Dr Rajesh Gude, Consultant Physician at Hyderabad’s Yasoda Hospitals, told South First.

Also Read: India’s first Covid-19 patient is all set to begin work as a doctor

So wear mask and follow Covid-19-appropriate behaviour?

As people have started questioning the need for masks and other preventive measures, experts have suggested that it is crucial to adhere to Covid-19-appropriate behavior despite it not being an emergency any more.

“Masks are not 100 percent effective, but they do help by reducing the amount of virus coming out when someone coughs or talks. Wearing masks was one of the many things we did to try and prevent Covid-19 from spreading,” said Dr Gude

“Since many people with Covid-19 don’t show symptoms, wearing masks everywhere can help stop the virus from spreading, especially in places like hospitals, where the risk is higher,” he added.

Dr Jayadevan noted that when the case load is low, wearing a mask while walking on the road may hold little value.

Also Read: Covid-19 cases in India underreported by 300%, says survey

Importance of the mask

“However, there may be value in wearing a mask at a birthday party, where people of all ages gather in a small hotel room. This is because an older person attending the party might be at risk. Even if a couple of individuals are unknowingly carrying the virus, the older person could contract it, end up in the hospital, or even pass away months later,” said Dr jayadevan.

“Covid-19 has shown us the importance of wearing masks to prevent various infections and diseases from spreading. Masks are not only effective against Covid-19, but also help protect us from other respiratory diseases caused by pollution and dust,” said Dr Gude.

“Along with wearing masks, it is still crucial to wash our hands regularly, avoid crowded places, and follow preventive measures to keep ourselves safe from Covid-19. This also helps in preventing other respiratory illnesses like the flu. It is especially important for people who are at a higher risk or haven’t received the Covid-19 vaccine yet,” he noted.

Also Read: Lancet study spotlights mental health impact of Covid-19

Covid is still around

Dr Jayadevan pointed out that Covid-19 is very much around, and people are still suffering from the disease.

“When discussing this disease and its control, it is important to prevent it from repeatedly penetrating communities. If left uncontrolled, this will inevitably lead to a significant number of deaths. Although individual incidents may go unnoticed amidst countless groups, the cumulative impact is substantial,” he said.

He adds that utilising available data, including government statistics, is essential to understand the gravity of the situation. By analysing historical trends, gathering relevant statistics, and presenting them in a meaningful way, the government can effectively communicate the ongoing risks to the public.

Explained: Kerala’s high number of Covid-19 positive cases

Communicating with the Average Joe

“Unfortunately, the average person may not grasp the significance of such information and may erroneously believe that the emergency phase is over simply because it has been declared so,” said Dr Jayadevan.

“However, it is important to recognise that changes, even at smaller levels, can have a substantial impact when observed over time,” he added.

Continued surveillance, genomic analysis, and proactive measures such as sampling at airports are necessary to stay ahead, doctors believe.

“The pandemic is not over, and the next variant remains uncertain even to top scientists. It is unwise to claim that everything is resolved when we lack any knowledge about the next version,” added Dr Jayadevan, advocating caution at least in crowded and vulnerable spaces.