In a letter to the Minister of Health and the General Directorate of Health (DGS), the federation considers that the epidemiological situation of Covid-19 "is again a source of concern", noting that the Transmissibility index (Rt) remains above 1.
“In our opinion these measures should have already been adopted. Just look at the daily situation report that has been released and see how the Rt has been rising for four weeks and for two weeks it has always been above 1”, said the vice president of the Portuguese Pulmonary Federation (FPP), Jaime Pina.
Pina warned that cases will continue to grow and that the risk matrix "is already in the red again".
“These graphs show that the Covid-19 situation in Portugal is deteriorating and will continue for at least another two weeks. At this point, measures should be applied”, he defended.
To reverse the growth of the pandemic in Portugal, the FPP asks the Government and the DGS to make the use of face masks mandatory again, not only in public spaces indoors, but also outdoors, when adequate distance cannot be guaranteed.
Vaccines
The federation also advocates speeding up the current process of boosting vaccination (3rd dose) to groups that have already been selected (immunocompromised patients and people over 65 years old), extending this reinforcement to all health professionals and that the administration of the second dose of vaccine to those who already had Covid-19 be accelerated.
"The fact that we have had a huge success in the vaccination campaign will not prevent an increase in more serious cases, which imply more hospitalisations, greater use of intensive care and a higher mortality rate", says the letter, stressing the urgent need for measures to halt the pandemic's progression.
The FPP also defends that “public recommendations on the importance of other measures of individual protection: social distancing and hand washing and disinfection” should be renewed.
Speaking to Lusa, Jaime Pina gave the example of the football game between Portugal and Serbia, on 14 November, with more than 60,000 people at the Estádio da Luz: “Everyone was without a mask. Even in open space, people are side by side and without a mask”.
“It is one of the examples of the places where the use of masks should be made mandatory again. It's taking two steps back and then being able to take a step forward,” he added.
Because all of this has worked so well the first 2 or 3 times...just like the vax, working so well. Insanity, doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. It's an absolute wonder how countries with low vax rates and no confinement measures or mask mandates, not only still have people living in them, but have LOWER death and hospitalisation rates, than those who goose-step along to this mindless mass psychosis.
Einstein was correct about insanity. And also about human stupidity.
By DD from Lisbon on 17 Nov 2021, 08:47
Well said DD
By DorisK from Lisbon on 17 Nov 2021, 10:02
Masks and vaccines work and the death toll would be much higher without them. You can see that in the US, where unvaxxed and unmasked red states have a much higher percentage of deaths than blue states.
If you don’t want to wear a mask, that’s your choice and right, but it’s not your right to infect others.
By Natalie Gray from Other on 17 Nov 2021, 20:33
Thanks Natalie, so true. I was so disappointed to see Portugal "cave" to public pressure right before elections (of course) and allow people into restaurants without the digital or masks; what were they thinking and what did they expect. People today have no patience to protect themselves or us! Freedom, bull; selfish, yes. There is an ongoing worldwide pandemic and no country is doing well. Israel appears to be the leader in science as THEY proved that the vax only lasts 5 months then wains to 40%, that's not much protection but they got their entire population vaxed with the booster and 12 weeks later all the other countries studied and agreed with their findings. #4 vax is coming now 6 months after the booster in the US until someone invents a pill. You can't just read and believe Facebook, unregulated and full of lies like a gossip magazine, you have to search out the science, don't be lazy, it's our lives guys, PAY ATTENTION! Get all vaxes and wear the mask around others not in your bubble; we want to end this plague.
By Wes from USA on 18 Nov 2021, 03:50
But Natalie, are you not protected because you are wearing the muzzle and have been injected? Thee have little faith in these measures?
By Anthony G from Algarve on 18 Nov 2021, 07:51
Wasn’t the purpose of having all these people vaccinated to be able to get away from the other means of preventing transmission and infection? If 98% of the Portuguese population is vaccinated, or so I have heard, what are the people so desperate for the return of masks and social distancing so scared of? Does the vaccination not work? I’m just curious about the thought process here…
By Robert King from USA on 18 Nov 2021, 12:24
Just get everyone a booster shot and remove the 65 years and up current eligibility. Be ahead of the winter increase of this respiratory virus and not trailing when the virus is increasing again. Be smart Portuguese health authorities!
By Jan from USA on 18 Nov 2021, 17:15
Hi Fred Doe, always nice to see your comments, I think, just like last year; pearls for the swines! I am thinking of that brave Judge/Lawyer Rui Fonseca e Costro. Did you see any of the GIGANTIC Demonstrations worldwide? France Australia,England, Germany, Austria, Russia? Hope u are doing alright! Ciao!
By Thesi van Arensbergen from Algarve on 20 Nov 2021, 19:50
I find it difficult to understand the statements made by the Public Health Agencies in Europe which I consider to be an unfortunate way of fueling a disproportionate anxiety in the population.
I want to shed more light on the psychological effects of the policys.
The sharply angled reporting around covid-19 in the media has led to increased anxiety in large parts of the populations. Unfortunately, the European Public Health Agencys has not acted to balance this, but instead contributed to increased "safety behaviors"
Compare, for example, a patient with severe panic disorder who can not leave home. It is not a condition that has come suddenly, In the case of covid-19, these "safety behaviors" are vaccinations and testing further down the ages, the distinction between vaccinated and unvaccinated, restrictions that come and go, etc., which form a downward spiral that must be broken soon!
Where is the evidence that unvaccinated people would be more dangerous than other people from an infection point of view?
And where will all of this end?
Demands for the unvaccinated people interned into labor camps?
Testing children with cold symptoms is inappropriate. Even if the tests are taken as a quick test in the nose, it is a very unpleasant and painful procedure that is unreasonable for children to be "schooled into" from the age of six. There have always been colds.
And even a year ago, children were neither considered to need a vaccine nor to be infected with covid. Has there been new evidence regarding infection or the benefits of childhood vaccination or is it "safety behavior"? Children is low risk of becoming seriously ill in covid-19, Public Health Agency's new directives risks giving them mental health problems.
By Magnus from Other on 22 Nov 2021, 02:48