The meeting that took place this morning between the Minister of Health Mónica García and the counselors of the Autonomous Communities with the aim of evaluating the significant increase in respiratory virus infections – such as flu, bronchiolitis and COVID-19 – and taking A decision on the mandatory use of masks in certain spaces, such as health centers and hospitals, pharmacies and residences, to prevent new infections, has been finalized without reaching an agreement.
Last Friday, and given the increase in flu and COVID cases, Health called an extraordinary meeting of the Interterritorial Public Health Council and announced that today, Monday, it would request the mandatory use of masks to access health centers. However, a consensus has not been reached on the measure, which some Autonomous Communities, such as Catalonia, the Valencian Community or Murcia, have already implemented, and which Asturias or the Canary Islands will join on Tuesday.
This is the fourth meeting of this type since Mónica García arrived at the Ministry and it has not been possible to reach a consensus on establishing equal measures for all citizens, so in the next 48 hours the CCAA will send their allegations to the documentation presented by the ministry.
Self-justification of sick leave for three days so as not to overwhelm emergencies
At the meeting, the role of the mask was discussed and reflected on as “an effective, common sense measure, supported by scientific evidence and well received by the population”, which would help protect both patients and professionals. who work in health centers, hospitals and health centers. However, the autonomous communities have defended the position that the use of the mask is not mandatory and they can establish the recommendation or requirement criteria based on factors such as the incidence of respiratory infections.
During the meeting, some initiatives from different communities were collected, such as the expansion of the recommendation for the use of masks in pharmacies, and a period of 48 hours was agreed upon to continue receiving contributions. The need to provide legal support through a declaration of coordinated action to all those communities of different political colors that have already introduced the mask into their health system has also been raised.
The mask is “an effective, common sense measure, supported by scientific evidence and well received by the population”
At the meeting, Health also raised the possibility of implementing self-justification for a three-day sick leave in people who have a mild illness because it would help prevent both infections and saturation of the health system, as announced by Minister Mónica García. first thing in the morning in an interview on Onda Cero with Carlos Alsina.
The minister explained in the radio program that this is a measure “that is already structural in many countries” and “a historical demand from primary care professionals” that is effective in unclogging primary care.” In this case “a responsible declaration is enough, which is basically what you do to your doctor” – García explained – to “self-justify a mild illness during the first three days” without burdening the health centers with more work. At the moment, no consensus has been reached on the issue either.
