Reading time is 4 mins
.
.
WEARING A MASK ON AIRPLANES OR NOT… ‘BUT THERE’S IMPROVED VENTILATION…’
As the pandemic rules were being flexed in many parts of the world, another new item came up; the removal of mask rules on airplanes… In the UK and Denmark, some airlines have suspended the mask requirement. Some people received the decision very positively, while some passengers are unhappy with the decision. So how do experts look at this issue?
In many parts of the world, especially in the United States and Europe, the pandemic is yawning normally. First of all, mask bans are being shelved. In our country, the obligation to wear masks outdoors has been lifted, but it has been emphasized that masks will continue to be worn in places with poor ventilation and in areas that do not comply with the distance rule.
On the other hand, the issue of whether to remove mask rules on airplanes is currently being discussed in the world.
Air travel is called one of the last stops, which requires applying strict pandemic rules. In the US, the requirement to use masks on airplanes has been extended until April 18. After this date, it will be reconsidered whether the decision is necessary. In Denmark and the UK, however, some airlines have suspended the requirement to wear a mask on an airplane.
Great Britain and Denmark, as well as Northern Ireland, Norway, Barbados, Mexico, St. Lucia, dec Bahamas and Jamaica are also among the destinations that do not have to wear masks in the air.
In many countries, especially the USA, Scotland, Italy and China, the obligation to wear masks on airplanes continues. In our country, there is still a mask requirement in closed areas, public transportation and airplanes. The issue of removing the use of masks on airplanes is not on the agenda yet.
.
THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD OF REDUCING TRANSMISSION ON AIRPLANES IS THE MASK
So is wearing a mask on airplanes really effective for protecting against the virus?
According to travel experts, yes, it is quite effective. Although the consensus among researchers focusing on this area is that air travel is decently safe, there are also examples of coronavirus transmission on airplanes.
However, most of these infections occurred before the requirement to use masks on airplanes was implemented. The most effective method to date to reduce transmission on airplanes may be the implementation of a mandatory mask policy during the flight.
Where people are exposed to each other’s breathing even a little during the trip, no matter how good the ventilation is, you definitely get the droplets left in the air by people around you, no matter how good.
.
OMICRON HAS MOVED TO EUROPE WITH PASSENGERS
Wearing a mask on a plane or other public transport is one of the important rules preventing the spread of the disease. For example, the Omicron variant was brought to Europe by those who travel by plane with a very high probability. Being unmasked during flights and public transport means that the virus passes from a sick person to non-sick people, which is a situation we don’t want during an epidemic.
.
THERE ARE ADVANCED FILTERING SYSTEMS ON AIRPLANES BUT
The advanced filtration systems on board the aircraft refresh the air every two to three minutes. Therefore, there are those who argue that the risk of getting infected on airplanes is lower than in other enclosed spaces.
But according to some experts, if you are sitting close to an infected person, you run the risk of inhaling it before the virus that has spread into the air enters the filtering system.
Don’t advanced air filtration systems on airplanes provide adequate protection? when asked, is quite clear: No, it does not provide! If the person sitting next to you is sick, no matter how good the ventilation in the environment is, you are at risk as soon as you take off your masks.
.
HAVE WE EXAGGERATED THE MASK ISSUE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC?
In fact, have we exaggerated the mask issue a little too much since the start of the pandemic, and to summarize the issue of when the mask can be worn and removed as follows:
From the beginning when we’re having social contact to us with one of the scientific data or the mask in crowded environments (public transport, concerts, theater events, etc.), should be installed in indoor or outdoor environments, we set our social distance, but when we’re alone in the open field or core communications in our group (like family) showed that wearing is not significant.
These rules still apply today. The need for masks continues in closed, crowded environments. But he doesn’t need to hang out in environments where there are core relationships in the home, when we walk around the open space individually.
.
THE MASK IS STILL VERY IMPORTANT IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Public transportation is a very important environment where people who don’t know each other and don’t know if they are sick sometimes have difficulty adjusting social distance or even can’t get it. In this case, individually, we choose to wear a mask in such environments where we think the disease can be transmitted and not find it reliable. That way we can protect ourself from the disease. This means not only protection from Covid-19, but also protection from all other upper respiratory tract infections. When we are not sick, we don’t carry the disease to our family and relatives and we protect them too. We won’t lose our workforce. If we can do all this wearing a mask, why would we object to wearing a mask?
The prediction that a new variant may develop is that Omicron will not be easy to delete unless a faster-transmitting, faster-multiplying variant comes from Omicron. If the pathogenicity of the newly arrived variant is also higher than Omicron and can be transmitted faster, the pandemic may progress to worse. Although this is a possibility, it seems unlikely that a variant that multiplies and infects faster than Omicron will arrive.
.
.
.
.
Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.
Physician's Resume:
Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.
Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.
In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.
Awards:
Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.
Certificates:
Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .
Professional Members:
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.
Disclaimer:
Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.