The Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued the Guidelines on Key Prevention and Control Measures that the public should always adhere to, suggesting that people should always wear masks, keep social distance, maintain hand hygiene, cooperate with health monitoring, do a good job in food hygiene, and do a good job in daily cleaning and disinfection.
Wang Peng issued by Xinhua News Agency
Summer has arrived, and the epidemic in COVID-19 is still raging.
According to Yu Xuejie, dean of the School of Health of Wuhan University and an infectious disease expert, at present, it is summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere. However, Covid-19 is not afraid of cold and heat, and it continues to spread all over the world. Some experts believe that Covid-19 may not be completely eliminated in a few years, and people must accept the fact that it will exist for a long time. Especially with the resumption of work, the return of a large number of people and students, the increase of traveling residents, and the risk of importing cases, the epidemic prevention and control work is still arduous and arduous.
High temperature and epidemic prevention pressure
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) held an expert video conference not long ago, pointing out that the superposition of COVID-19 epidemic and the adverse health effects of this summer’s heat wave will bring new challenges to epidemic prevention and control and public health safety, reminding countries to attach great importance to it and do a good job in coping with the heat wave under this year’s epidemic.
There have been some speculations that the high temperature in summer may delay the spread of Covid-19. However, WHO said that the latest research did not find that meteorological factors such as temperature, humidity and ultraviolet radiation were significantly related to the spread of Covid-19. Therefore, experts pointed out that even if the hot summer comes, people should still be highly vigilant against Covid-19, especially in the hot and humid environment, the risk of transmission of Covid-19 still exists, and it is necessary to seriously abide by various prevention and control measures. At the same time, the World Meteorological Organization warned that although the influence of high temperature on the spread of Covid-19 is not obvious, the heat wave will cause other damages to human health and health system.
Countdown to The Lancet 2030 reports that people in all parts of the world are extremely vulnerable to extreme high temperatures. High temperature, high humidity and strong radiation weather can cause a series of physiological function changes in human body temperature regulation, water and salt metabolism, circulatory system, nervous system and urinary system. Once the body can’t adapt, it will cause abnormal temperature rise and lead to heatstroke. At the same time, extreme high temperature will also worsen chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and diabetes, and increase the number of deaths.
A Guide to Epidemic Prevention in Hot Weather edited by the World Meteorological Organization says that all diseases and deaths related to hot weather can be prevented, and full preparations should be made according to the actual situation in COVID-19.
Should I wear a mask?
As a "protective standard" when going out, people have gradually become accustomed to its existence. However, as the weather gets hotter and the ultraviolet rays strengthen, the sultry feeling of wearing a mask and some skin problems become more and more prominent. Therefore, how to do personal protection in hot summer has become a problem for many people.
It is undeniable that wearing a mask is an effective way to block the spread of Covid-19. However, in a hot environment, does wearing a mask increase the risk of heatstroke?
Disease control experts pointed out that it is necessary to adhere to the scientific wearing of masks and develop a good habit of carrying masks with you. Regarding whether or not to wear masks, low-risk areas should wear masks according to the Guidelines for Wearing Masks for Public Science (Revised Edition) issued by National Health Commission.
Wang Chen, an academician of China Academy of Engineering and dean of China Academy of Medical Sciences, said that wearing a mask should be judged according to different situations, and it is not necessary to wear a mask in an open, ventilated and sparsely populated place; Wear masks when taking public transportation (cars, trains, planes, ships, etc.), going to closed spaces such as shopping malls, vegetable markets, office buildings, and going to hospitals; If you are not sure whether you should wear a mask when you go out, you can always keep a mask with you so that you can wear it when you should. In addition, for some key people, such as doctors, staff in closed places, patients with chronic diseases, the elderly, etc., masks should be worn in public places; People with respiratory symptoms should take the initiative to wear masks.
Scientific use of air conditioning
When the heat wave strikes, it is inevitable to use air conditioning. If you are too worried about the spread of Covid-19 and don’t use air conditioning, it will lead to health hazards such as heatstroke, but excessive use of air conditioning will also lead to the decline of human immunity and make you more susceptible to diseases.
In this regard, experts said that people who use household air conditioners need to disinfect the air conditioners, and it is not advisable to keep the indoor temperature below 26 degrees Celsius, and pay attention to opening windows frequently for ventilation; Public places and offices that use central air-conditioning and ventilation systems should also use central air-conditioning and ventilation systems safely, and take various measures to prevent and control epidemic situations in public places.
When using central air conditioning, it is required to turn off the return air and run with fresh air, and the air between rooms is required to be independent, and the fresh air should be opened as much as possible. If there is a disinfection device or purification device, the central air conditioner should be turned on during the epidemic period, and the filters at the air outlet and return air outlet should be cleaned every week.
Experts pointed out that it is necessary to keep indoor air circulation and standardize the use of air conditioners to avoid air pollution. Air conditioning and fresh air system are two independent indoor systems, one for adjusting temperature and the other for improving indoor air quality. The central air conditioner should be able to release enough fresh air and ensure independent return air or no return air. If the central air conditioner in the indoor place cannot meet the above standards, the central air conditioner should be turned off, and the independent single air conditioner can be used. If it is not clear whether there are infected people in the people covered by central air conditioning, then everyone should wear a mask (indoors) until the risk is reduced.
Can mosquitoes spread viruses?
As the weather gets hotter and hotter, there are more mosquitoes. Many people are worried about whether Covid-19 will be spread by mosquitoes.
Lin Minggui, Executive Director of Infectious Diseases Department of Tsinghua Chang Gung Hospital, pointed out that mosquito bites can indeed infect many diseases, but there is no evidence that Covid-19 can be spread by mosquitoes at present, so the public need not panic. But in any case, keeping the family and the surrounding environment clean and reducing the appearance of mosquitoes can not be ignored.
"Malaria, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, filariasis, etc. can all be spread by mosquitoes." Lin Minggui said that when summer comes, we should take active actions to comprehensively and scientifically prevent and control mosquito hazards. For example, vases and aquatic plants at home should be changed frequently, at least once a week, and the accumulated water in the bottom plates or trays of flowerpots should be kept clean. We should pay special attention to the places with water in dark corners and clean up the air-conditioned trays, bathrooms and kitchen floor drains in time. Besides, many people think there are no mosquitoes during the day, so there is no need to be afraid. Lin Minggui said that mosquitoes are not all from Nocturnal Animals, so it is also necessary to prevent mosquitoes during the day, especially when going out to places with more plants and water.
Pay attention to susceptible people
The elderly over 65 years old are susceptible to Covid-19 and heat wave, and the mortality rate of Covid-19 infection and the risk of heatstroke will increase with age. In addition, people suffering from chronic basic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, lung diseases, kidney diseases, diabetes, obesity, outdoor workers, medical workers and social service providers, pregnant women, etc., especially need to be protected.
Public health experts suggest that the public should try to avoid going out during the heat wave, work outdoors in the shade as much as possible and pay attention to replenish water in time; Pay attention to keep the living and working environment cool; Ensure effective contact with susceptible people who are isolated or living alone, and provide timely assistance in case of heatstroke reaction; Ensure that medical workers and social service personnel wearing protective devices are in a cool working environment.
