Last week, I went to Germany, France, and Spain. The use of masks was minimized in all three countries, and people were behaving quite comfortably, including at the airport, without masks or precautions. Of course, hotel receptionists and other officials like ground stewardesses were following the rules and wearing their masks. The mask-wearing rule also applies on commercial aircraft. Apart from this, no one was wearing a mask at any event or restaurant I attended (indoors or outdoors).
Personally, I adapted to this situation faster than I expected. Seeing no one was wearing one, I took my mask off. I attended the European Entrepreneurs Forum event and then the Green Hydrogen event in Barcelona without a mask. I spent the weekends there, and I always went maskless at many hotels I visited before and after.
What was the outcome?
I’m doing fine. I returned to Istanbul a bit tired. After sleeping longer than I normally do for the first two days, I feel like a hot mess.
The Latest Situation in Turkey
A similar situation exists in Turkey. First, pandemic measures were eased in early March. The 5-article decision was as follows (See: https://www.ntv.com.tr/saglik/bakan-koca-salgin-icin-alinan-yeni-kararlari-acikladi-acik-havada-maske-zorunlulugu-kaldirildi,1YliDZYS0USmboJe1f5sIQ):
1) We are no longer required to wear masks outdoors.
2) If ventilation is adequate and social distancing is maintained in indoor spaces, wearing a mask is no longer mandatory.
3) The HES code requirement has been abolished in the new term. HES code checks will not be conducted at any institution or organization.
4) Testing will not be required for individuals without symptoms.
5) If two cases are detected in schools, the practice of closing classrooms will end.
Following this announcement, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca issued the following message on 1 May: “COVID-19 IS THE LAST STOP. When the number of cases, which is 1,480 today, drops below 1,000, we can ride in public transportation without masks. With a little effort, perhaps even after the holiday!” (See:https://twitter.com/drfahrettinkoca/status/1520866344387989506?s=20).
Afterward, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said, “The mask mandate in schools and other enclosed spaces has been lifted. Public transportation and healthcare facilities are exempt from this practice until the number of cases falls below 1,000. We will soon, with pride, transition to a mask-free lifestyle. This is evident from yesterday’s 2,604 cases!” (See:https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/galeri-maske-yasagi-maske-kullanma-zorunlulugu-kaldirildi-mi-toplu-tasimada-ve-mekanlarda-maske-takmak-zorunlu-mu-iste-alinan-karar-42055230/1).
What I’ve written previously about the pandemic
As someone who has consistently emphasized the importance of caution throughout the pandemic, I’ve continued to take precautions despite all these pronouncements. I’m resharing my articles about Covid-19 as a reminder:
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/asi-karsitlariyla-mucadele-her-platformda
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/asi-olun
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/istanbulda-pandemiyle-degisen-hayat-kosullari
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/covid-19-salginindan-nasil-kurtuluruz
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/asilama-sureci-basladi-kafalar-karisik
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/ikinci-dalganin-dalgaya-gelir-tarafi-yok
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/kuresel-salginin-tek-suclusu-cinliler-mi
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/yeni-dunya-duzenine-dogru
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/virusun-ogrettikleri
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/covid-19-salgininin-dunyadaki-seyri-ve-deneyimlerim
https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/koronavirus-artik-ulkemizin-bir-gercegi
The precautionary measures and warnings in these articles were certainly valid during those times. Until I saw the latest situation in Europe… Upon my return to Istanbul, I also threw away my mask and walked around without one. With one exception, I wore a mask when I visited my grandmother upon my return from Europe. I will always wear a mask whenever I’m near her. Just in case, she’s our precious person.
However, I can say that the three vaccines I’ve received are effective, our antibody levels are high, and we can rest assured from now on.
World Health Organization’s Situation Assessment
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), made an official statement in late March, saying, “COVID-19 may end this year, and it should be the last for us.” Ghebreyesus went on to say that there are three scenarios for the virus’s evolution, saying, “In the best-case scenario, we will see fewer variants, making booster doses unnecessary from now on. In the second scenario, we could see the virus continue to evolve, but the rate of severe disease decreases thanks to vaccinations. In the worst-case scenario, we could see the emergence of more severe and contagious variants of the virus, and we could see no vaccine effective against this new threat.” Ghebreyesus emphasized that, considering these scenarios, for the WHO’s plan to be realized, every country must prioritize virus tracking, vaccination, a COVID-19-resistant healthcare system, ensuring equitable access to virus-fighting tools, and global cooperation. (See:Dünya Sağlık Örgütü (DSÖ): Covid-19 pandemisi bu yıl bitebilir | Euronews)
Ghebreyesus emphasized the critical importance of vaccinating 70% of every country’s population by mid-2022, stating, “While developed and developing countries have largely met this target, numerous countries, particularly African countries, have fallen short. 83% of the African population has not yet received a single dose of vaccine. This is unacceptable to me.”
Low vaccination rates in Africa, or anywhere else in the world, pose a threat to the entire world. Civil society organizations working on this issue need to accelerate their efforts, and everyone who can afford it needs to increase their donations to these NGOs. Of course, the governments of all countries in Africa and those lagging in vaccinations must also work more efficiently and on point.
Still Maintaining Basic Precautions
Just in case, we can say that it would be wise to continue wearing masks for a while longer in situations where people spend extended periods in the same enclosed space, such as during flights. Beyond this, the key is to maintain a high immune system. We need to strive to maintain a high quality of life by paying attention to our sleep and nutrition and exercising regularly. Otherwise, we can enter a spiral of illness in a body weakened by our first contact with viruses.
So, this doesn’t mean simply saying the mass threat of Covid-19 is over and we can do whatever we want. We must never let our guard down in the fight against the pandemic. Covid-19 may resurface with other variants due to countries with low vaccination rates. Furthermore, other viruses may emerge. Masks may disappear completely in the future, but we must continue to receive the necessary vaccinations, maintain a high quality of life and therefore our immune system, and take precautions to protect the elderly.
I wish all my readers healthy and enjoyable days in the near future.
Note: Two days after I wrote this article, the Ministry of Health issued the following statement (see:Son dakika haberi: 22 Mayıs corona virüsü tablosu ve vaka sayısı Sağlık Bakanlığı tarafından açıklandı! – Son Dakika Haber (hurriyet.com.tr)): The Ministry of Health shared the latest developments and daily figures regarding the coronavirus. In the last 24 hours, 118,852 tests were conducted in Turkey, and 905 cases were identified. Five people have died from the virus. After the daily case count dropped below 1,000, Minister Koca shared the following message: “When the number of cases falls below 1,000 for three consecutive days, masks will no longer be mandatory, but free on public transportation. We hope to share with you the news of those anticipated lower numbers!”
Tag: memoir
