Kon explained in detail when students can take off their masks, and when they have to wear them

Photo: Tanjug/Dusan Anicic

Epidemiologist Dr. Predrag Kon said, speaking about the current epidemiological situation regarding coronavirus and the beginning of the new school year, that children must wear masks when entering school until they come to their desks, but also when they talk in class.

Recommended

"While there is no virus in any class, then masks are worn when children come to school and all the way to their desks. They also wear masks while on the desk while talking to their friends. When the class starts and when they are silent, then they put down the mask. The moment the student is called to speak, then they have to put on the mask. The moment the break begins, the child will have to put on the mask. They don't have to outside, because they are outdoors. That will have to be monitored and warned. There will be problems when the atmosphere is created  of,  'take off that mask' among high school students," Dr. Kon explained.

As he said, there has been a smaller number of infected children this summer.

Dr Predrag Kon, Printscreen: TV Happy

"It is difficult to gather as many children in parks as in one school class. Parents should be told why children must wear a mask. I wear a mask to protect myself. In a situation when you do not know that you havet the virus, and it is widespread, in such situations, everyone must wear masks. It is completely effective. Wearing a mask can completely replace vaccination." the doctor explained.

Seasonal flu

Dr. Kon also pointed out that the vaccination against seasonal flu will begin soon.

"We didn't even have it last year. The fact is that it is strongly suppressed and this happens when such a strong virus as coronavirus dominates. The flu virus comes to us is in the winter. The largest number of patients is in February and March. That is why it is recommended that people be vaccinated in time, in October," said Kon.

When asked if it is okay to get vaccinated against seasonal flu in the same month as against coronavirus, the epidemiologist replied:

"A two-week interval between vaccinations is recommended. My opinion is that the first vaccine is the dominant one - for the pandemic, then two weeks later you should be vaccinated against seasonal flu. The response to getting the flu was lower than needed, which is already common for our country, unfortunately," said Kon.

Maximum in two weeks

Speaking about the current epidemiological situation in the country, Dr. Predrag Kon said that the number of infected people has not increased so drastically, but it is expected to increase during the next week.

"If we shut ourselves in our homes and respect all measures, then there would be a sharp decline in the virus activity. In this situation, we expect the maximum in two weeks. Further assessment is uncertain. We do not know how the formation of the collectives will affect the epidemiological picture. What experience has shown is that the schools coming back did not lead to an increase in the number of infected people. That is good." said Dr. Kon.

(Telegraf.rs)