Oh, these terrible anxiety-inducing COVID-19 times and the repeat warnings (read instructions) issued about maintaining social distancing (observing a distance of two feet to sometimes even six feet), and washing one’s hands and when not with water, then applying hand sanitizer. What can ever be as annoying and disparate? In fact, when was the last time mankind was issued with what clearly read as a set of instructions that were as vital to survival as they appeared cogent?
The trouble, it must be duly noted in no uncertain terms, isn’t about following a set of guidelines that are absolutely vital to float around in these uncertain and pandemic-marred times; the concern is until when will we be required to adhere to the same?
And where it comes to Switzerland, then never before in the recent history of the magnanimous country have the COVID 19 norms required greater attention than warranted? So why is it so and what is the current situation in a country that’s as beautiful as it is surreal?
Well, if one considers the word of the health ministry, then it must be noted that the official word certainly carries weight to raise more than a perturbed brow! It appears that wearing a face mask in Switzerland might be a norm in the days to come.
Yes, you read that right sans any errors. Wearing a face mask in Switzerland, a standard practice much like the rest of the world, might not only be a thing for the imminent future but could well be a standard practice for years together.
So why is it so and what has led to this situation?
It’s believed that since there is a risk posed by the unvaccinated people, the rest of the populace of the majestic mountainous country will have to wear a face mask in Switzerland!
The Federal Office of Public Health, it is believed, is concerned by the current situation in the revered European nation. It believes that even as the vaccine has been offered to the public, the infection could still spread to those who go unvaccinated and therefore, could lead to situation wherein one sees overloaded hospitals.
It’s already a well-known fact that the country had instituted a National COVID-19 Science Task Force. And it’s a belief of the said body that wearing a face mask in Switzerland might be highly essential in order to avoid what could possibly be a fourth wave of the Coronavirus infections.
Here’s what renowned European media The Local (CH- Switzerland edition) had to say on the developing matter:
Some have reacted negatively to the suggestion. Ruth Humbel from the parliamentary health commission thinks vaccinated people should not have their freedoms restricted. Instead private establishments, such as restaurants, should refuse entry to those who are unvaccinated while public services remain open to everyone.
Beat Walti from the PLR (FDP) thinks that while there should be no question that each person has the right to not be vaccinated they should bear the responsibility in the case of infection.
Furthermore, among the current aims of the federal vaccination commission is to ensure proper immunization of the Swiss public. But this brings along an underlying concern: even if half the population is vaccined for COVID 19 by this summer, then the other half, the unvaccinated lot would remain exposed to the infectious virus and this could well spell trouble.
In such a scenario, the hospitals would run the risk of running in full capacity. So where it stands presently, wearing a face mask in Switzerland could well be a normality in the times to come- no two ways about it.