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What does phase 3 by coronavirus imply in Mexico? 5:46
(CNN Spanish) - The government of Mexico City decreed the mandatory use of mouth masks starting this Monday throughout the public space of the Mexican capital to prevent the spread of the covid-19.
Mexico is officially in phase 3 of the health contingency due to the coronavirus pandemic, which is the stage of the fastest spread of infections and in which the highest number of hospitalizations per day is expected, according to the Ministry of Health.
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File Image. As of April 27, the use of face masks is mandatory in Mexico City in public places. (Credit: Manuel Velasquez / Getty Images)
"We are currently in the most critical stage of infection in the country and particularly in the metropolitan area," said the head of government of Mexico City, Claudia Sheinbaum, in a press conference on Sunday.
As of this Monday, Mexico reports 14,677 coronavirus cases and 1,351 deaths, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. For its part, Mexico City this Sunday registered 3,966 cases and 309 deaths from covid-19.
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Who Should Wear Mouthpieces?
The mandate of the Mexico City government is for the entire population to wear masks in public spaces.
This is a measure that extends the compulsory use of this piece on public transportation in the Mexican capital, already in force since April 17. At that time, facial masks were necessary to enter public transportation, to attend meetings and if other people were contacted, according to the Mexico City Government.
But now it is necessary to use it in all the public spaces of the capital, according to Sheimbaum this Sunday.
"If we leave home, it is preferable to use face masks, not only on public transport, but to use it" (everywhere), Sheimbaum added.
He also mentioned that those who should protect themselves the most are people with pre-existing medical conditions and that whoever presents any symptoms, can call the Locatel line or send a text message to 51515 with the word “COVID-19”.
The benefit of the mask in public is not to protect the wearer from diseases, but to protect others from exposure if they are ill or are asymptomatic carriers. "But if we all wear masks, we could help each other," said Dr. Joseph Vinetz, professor of the infectious diseases section at Yale School of Medicine.
Sheinbaum asked public servants, the general public and journalists to inform the population about the mandatory use of the masks so that "more and more people" use it, although he did not mention fines for non-compliance with the measure.
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Why is the mouthpiece important?
The government secretary of the Mexican capital said that, after meeting with health experts, they pointed out that according to "scientific publications" (without indicating which ones) they say that "particularly in metropolitan areas the use of face masks is important" to avoid infections
"There are many people who - as we know - can be infected with this virus, who have covid-19, and who are asymptomatic, so these people can infect others," said Sheinbaum. "So that's why it's important that we all wear our face masks, and at the same time, other people have a way to protect themselves."
How is the face mask used?
It is important to wash your hands with soap and water before handling the mask. Once you are going to use it, remember to take it by the elastics and put it directly behind the ears without touching or contaminating the part that faces your mouth.
The Government of Mexico City published a video, but you can find more information on how to wear face masks here.
This is the correct way to wear a face mask 😷
Putting it on properly will avoid infecting or getting infected 👍 # QuédateEnCasa🏡 #SalvaVidas pic.twitter.com/NFIdqsFxxJ
- CDMX Government (@GobCDMX) April 13, 2020
Other protection measures
Although Sheinbaum and health authorities have emphasized the use of face masks, this does not mean that other protective measures should be neglected to prevent the spread of the virus.
It is recommended:
- The obligatory use of the mouth mask in public places
- The use of antibacterial gel
- When coughing or sneezing cover with the internal angle of the arm
- Avoid touching the nose, mouth, eyes and face in general after having been in contact with polluting surfaces, such as handrails in the public transport system.
- Repeat hand washing with soap and water.
“The call continues to be to stay at home and keep a healthy distance. There are people who must go out to carry out essential activities and it is essential to avoid crowds to avoid the risk of contagion. The more people are gathered without Sana Distancia, the greater the possibility of catching it ”, said the head of the Government of Mexico City.
Remember that the use of face masks does not replace the social distance of at least two meters and the orders of confinement.
Other states that have requested the population to use mouth masks in public spaces are the State of Mexico, Cohuila, Yucatan and Tamaulipas, among others.
Mouthguards