According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Tokyo, the Japanese Government is considering a proposal to remove the recommendation to wear masks in closed premises at locations such as offices, halls or restaurants, instead recommending only measures to be taken. This method is for people with symptoms.
The above proposal was made in the context of the Japanese Government’s discussion regarding putting the COVID-19 epidemic in group 5 on the list of infectious diseases, ie on par with seasonal flu, in order to reduce the burden on hospitals. and public health centers.
However, many infectious disease experts are still cautious regarding the proposal to further relax the mask wearing rule due to concerns that this might reduce the mortality rate from COVID-19 in Japan, which growing rapidly in recent weeks, is likely to increase even more, especially as the elderly make up nearly 30% of the population.
[Số ca tử vong vì dịch COVID-19 ở Nhật Bản vẫn đang tăng cao]
Previously, when revising the guidelines on measures epidemic prevention COVID-19 in May last year, the Japanese Government dropped the recommendation that people wear masks when outdoors.
According to the Japanese government, people do not need to wear masks when outdoors, if they are not talking. However, despite this change, many people in Japan still wear masks when outdoors.
This guidance document also advises people to continue to wear masks when indoors, except when ensuring social distance of at least 2m and in places where talking is limited.
In Japan, infectious diseases are classified into 5 groups, of which the most dangerous infectious diseases such as plague and Ebola are classified in group 1.
Subsequent groups have a decreasing level of danger, such as group 2 with tuberculosis, group 3 with cholera, group 4 with yellow fever and group 5 with seasonal flu. Particularly, the COVID-19 epidemic belongs to the category of “new flu and other diseases” outside of the above 5 groups.
This is a list of diseases with a level of danger equivalent to infectious diseases in group 2, but applying strict epidemic prevention measures equivalent to infectious diseases in group 1.
If the COVID-19 epidemic is included in group 5, which is equivalent to seasonal flu, the government will not have to pay the entire cost of medical examination and treatment for patients. COVID-19 patient.
However, at present, there are still some members of the expert group that advises the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) on the response to the COVID-19 epidemic, thinking that it is too early to bring the COVID-19 epidemic. -19 into group 5. Besides, the majority of Japanese people are still concerned regarding the epidemic COVID-19.
The latest public opinion poll by NHK television shows that 84% of survey respondents expressed concern regarding the COVID-19 epidemic, while only 16% said that there is no need to worry regarding this disease. .
This poll was conducted by NHK from November 1 to December 6, 2022, with the participation of 2,266 people aged 18 and over.
Among survey participants, 98% of respondents said they still wear masks and wash their hands regularly to prevent the spread of COVID-19; 67% avoid crowded places or enclosed spaces and 61% remain social distancing.
Assessment of the Japanese Government’s response to the COVID-19 epidemic, 55% of respondents gave a positive assessment, while 44% rated it negatively.
To prevent the pandemic, 49% want the government to develop drugs and vaccines, 20% want financial support from the government, 15% call for expanding medical services for infected people.
Dao Thanh Tung (VNA/Vietnam+)
