Dr. Al-Qahtani: Face mask wearing as important as other precautionary measures

Infectious Diseases Consultant and Microbiologist at the BDF Hospital and Member of the National Taskforce for Combating Coronavirus (COVID-19), Lieutenant-Colonel Dr. Manaf Al Qahtani, has asserted that confronting coronavirus goes through several stages that require precautionary measures that change as the virus evolves, spreads to societies and transforms into a pandemic, which requires the entire world to face it.
 
He emphasised that the virus’ developments require changing the data and practical conclusions based on medical research.
 
Lt. Col. Dr. Al-Qahtani added that at first, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had not advised wearing masks because the global spread at that time was concentrated in specific countries.
 
Then, WHO updated its instructions and guidelines with the evolution of the virus, and therefore advised to wear medical masks, as a precautionary measure, to maintain freedom of movement, he said.
 
He indicated that in addition to wearing face masks, other health guidelines, including continuous hand washing and social distancing, are equally important.  
 
Dr. Al-Qahtani stressed that Bahrain is implementing all precautionary and preventive measures required by WHO for the best interests of everyone.