Coronavirus Pandemic, Featured
By Anayo Ezugwu
THE fellows and members of the Ghana Chapter of the West African College of Surgeons and the Ghana Medical Association have raised alarm over the increasing use of face shields without masks as protection against COVID-19. The doctors said this is a very dangerous trend that must be discontinued by the general public with immediate effect.
The doctors, in a statement signed by Frank Ankobea, president, Ghana Medical Association, GMA, and Prof. Peter Donkor, first vice-president, West African College of Surgeons, said continuous use of face shields without a mask by the general public will lead to increased cases of COVID-19 in the country. They advised the public to wear masks at all times.
“The use of face shields alone without a face mask does not give the user the needed protection against COVID-19, especially in the light of the potential airborne spread of the virus from emerging scientific evidence. Face shields protect against splashes and may be added to a mask. Face shields should not be used as a replacement for masks in protecting one against COVID-19.
“There have been unsubstantiated reports on some social media platforms about a decrease in blood oxygen concentration as well as a buildup of carbon dioxide when one uses a mask. As medical doctors, especially surgeons, we wear face masks all the time in the course of work, and no such derangements have been observed. We entreat the general public to disregard these social media reports. The No-mask-No-Entry policy should be rigorously enforced. A face shield is not a mask. The use of face shields without mask should not be encouraged and must be stopped,” the statement said.
– Jul. 17, 2020 @ 15:49 GMT |
Tags: Doctors warn of dangers of face shield without face mask
