To mask up or not this New Year’s Eve? Not many takers even as COVID cases surge
In a study, nearly 3 in 4 Indians who were surveyed said masks are history and rarely anyone wears them now, even when COVID cases are spiking in the country.
NEW DELHI: As COVID-19 cases surge in India, the one question on the minds of many Indians is whether one should mask up as they party this New Year’s Eve.
While the Centre has said one has to be alert and not panic and has not issued any advisory on wearing masks even as JN.1, a new COVID-19 subvariant, is leading the current COVID surge, experts said masking is always better, especially for those who are co-morbid and are above 60.
They should also avoid visiting closed, poorly ventilated, and crowded places like restaurants and hotels.
However, for many people, mask-wearing is a thing of the past. In a study, nearly 3 in 4 Indians who were surveyed said masks are history and rarely anyone wears them now, even when COVID cases are spiking in the country.
The survey was carried out by LocalCircles, India’s leading community social media platform.
When asked whether they would be partying, considering the rise in COVID cases, 29% said they plan to socialise over New Year. However, 58% said they plan to stay home with their immediate family.
Only seven per cent said they “don’t plan to socialise over New Year this year because of COVID risk and other reasons.” The survey covered 24,000 people in 317 districts in India.
According to Prof G C Khilnani, Chairman of PSRI Institute of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, and former professor and head of the pulmonary medicine and sleep disorders at AIIMS, “It is always better if everyone wears a mask. People need to protect their families. The young and healthy might not get infected, but they can transmit it to their elderly parents or children.”
Khilnani said in India, everyone has been infected at least once and vaccinated, so they have developed immunity. “But this new strain has the potential to evade pre-existing immunity. JN.1 is highly transmissible. This was seen in Singapore, and thus they re-introduced the mask mandate.”
He said that the new strain is said to cause mild illness in young and healthy people; but can be dangerous for those who are co-morbid, obese, have low immunity, have heart conditions, are aged, diabetic, or undergoing chemotherapy.
“So, even if there is no government advisory, it is always better to mask up. This will also help prevent community transmission,” he told The New Indian Express.
Karnataka, which is reporting the second-highest COVID cases and deaths in the country, is the only state that has made it mandatory for those above 60 years of age with comorbidities and symptoms of cough, phlegm and fever to wear masks.
Dr Shuchin Bajaj, Founder and Director of Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, also advised that while the festive cheer is in the air, one should not let one’s guard down against COVID-19.
“Wearing masks in public places on December 31st is still advisable. It’s a simple act that protects yourself and others, ensuring a safer and happier New Year for everyone.”
He said large gatherings on New Year’s Eve increase the risk of transmission, especially indoors or in crowded spaces.
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