Omicron scare: Mask-less wonders raise surge fears in Kolkata, doctors keep fingers crossed – Times of India

KOLKATA: While crowds swarmed the city’s hotspots on Christmas, a vast number of revellers ventured out without the mask that has left doctors and experts alarmed at a time when Omicron cases are being detected in the city.
Discarding the mask at huge congregations that the city is now witnessing — the hot spots spilled over with visitors on Sunday as well — could lead to a spurt in infection soon, they warned.

“It is a worrying trend that more people are coming out in the open, the more they are discarding the mask. It should be made compulsory at a time when we are witnessing a surge in Omicron cases. So far, Omicron patients have had a mild infection but if allowed to persist and circulate within the population, it could turn virulent and trigger the next wave,” warned RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (RTIICS) intensivist Sauren Panja.
The next fortnight could be crucial and lead to a surge, said CMRI Hospital director of pulmonology Raja Dhar. “We are fearing a surge and not using masks could be fatal at this time. We should always use it, stay away from those who are without one and generally avoid all congregations,” added Dhar.
Dhar added that a drop in the number of cases was no reason to discard mask. “A variant is in circulation nd we need to guard against it. All Covd protocols should now be in use, particularly masks,” he said.
The best way to avoid infection at a time when a surge could be imminent is wearing a mask, said Belle Vue Clinic internal medicine consultant Rahul Jain. “Other than social distancing, wearing a mask is the best option to control variants like Omicron,” said Jain.
A microbiologist pointed out that festival and other congregations have invariably seen masks being discarded and have invariably been followed by a spurt in infections. “This had happened after the last Christmas-New Year period in Kolkata and got repeated after the elections in April which triggered the second wave. By pulling down the mask we are perhaps hastening the onset of the next wave,” he said.
A mask serves two purposes — protecting you from infection and protecting those around you from a viral attack, added Dhar. “If you are healthy then a mask should be used while travelling in public transport or visiting a place where a fairly large number of people are likely to gather. This mask could be anything, even a paper mask which covers your mouth and nose adequately,” said Dhar.
But in case you are getting closer than six feet to a Covid patient or one with symptoms, then an N 95 mask or a surgical mask is compulsory, he added. “So, other than doctors, hospital staff or family members of the infected, the rest can use any mask,” Dhar felt.
An N 95 mask is likely to provide the best protection since it is designed to block 95% of the germs, pointed out RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (RTIICS) consultant Arindam Biswas. “In case you are suffering from a cold, a mask is a must even in home quarantine. The rest should also be using an N 95 if they are visiting a gathering or travelling in a public transport,” said Biswas. But for the rest, a surgical mask should be enough. But not a paper mask or a handkerchief. While papers are likely to get wet very quickly, handkerchiefs are kept on tables, desks and beds and are likely to spread infection,” said Biswas.