Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Hungary's Health Experts: Maintain Social Distancing, Wear a Face Mask

Hungary's Health Experts: Maintain Social Distancing, Wear a Face Mask

Health experts around Hungary have been consistently calling for people to wear masks and practice social distancing for everyone's safety.

As the damage of the coronavirus pandemic has grown worse over the past two months, health experts around Hungary have been consistently calling for people to wear masks and practice social distancing once again. The government’s position remains by the idea that social distancing and masks are not relevant enough to be mandated, a controversial position that goes against the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

Hungary’s Ministry of Human Resources announced at the end of August that “thanks to successful protection against the coronavirus and a high level of vaccination, no strict restrictions are warranted in everyday life.” Despite their claim, there has been a clear increase in the coronavirus cases in Hungary, and the number of new infections is reaching numbers seen in April and May.

In light of these events, Hungarian health professionals have been highlighting the relevance of safety precautions for the past few months, giving masks and social distancing continued relevance in Hungary’s current pandemic situation.

Hungarian Health Professionals Keep their Masks On


Virologist Gábor Kemenesi made a Facebook post two months ago to speak about the importance of masks. In it, he emphasized that face coverings are especially useful at preventing the spread of the virus in large crowds and closed areas, especially areas with poor air circulation which are frequented by many different people.

"Currently mask-wearing is voluntary, but that des not mean that it is forbidden. There is countless scientific data proving that they work, and that they work well. I believe in science, this is why I wear it, and I invite everyone to do the same.”


In a similar call to action at the end of September, Ferenc Jakab, head of the National Virology Laboratory, said that despite the high level of vaccination in Hungary, disinfection, social distancing, and primarily the use of masks are “tremendously important.” In his video message, Jakab requested everyone at the University of Pécs to wear masks in the interest of their communities and colleagues.

Epidemiologist and member of the Hungarian government’s health advisory committee, Beatrix Oroszi placed an 80 percent national vaccination threshold as the variable that would justify a reduction of restrictions. Until that point, she believes masks, social distancing, and proof of immunity are in order for a cohesively effective defense against the virus in Hungary.

Epidemiologist Oroszi’s Various Covid Scenarios


Oroszi has drawn up three possible solutions to the current situation. In the best-case scenario, the epidemic curve levels out as the number of people susceptible to infection is depleted, either through vaccination or recovery. The worse case would be if the vaccination rate remains the same, immunity is depleted over time, and the spread of the virus speeds up, increasing hospitalizations and deaths.

The worst-case scenario, Oroszi says, would be if the health care system is overwhelmed, the virus reaches especially vulnerable parts of the population, and a new virus variant or influenza epidemic shows up.

Not just individual specialists, but even health institutions are joining in reaffirming that not only vaccination, but masks and social distancing are in fact important for protecting people’s health.

Public Health Center, Medical Chamber, and Academy of Sciences Speak Out


Ágnes Galgóczi, department head at the National Public Health Center, says that the coronavirus levels measured in wastewater warrant further restrictions. Subsequently, she warrants the use of masks, saying that “we have reached the point where this is important, in closed areas, on public transit, both in the interest of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.”

The Hungarian Medical Chamber (MOK) released a statement in August urging everyone to maintain social distancing, wear masks in closed spaces, and regularly wash and disinfect their hands. Gyula Kincses, the President of the Chamber, called for the mandatory use of masks on public transport, in shops, and in areas where both vaccinated and unvaccinated people are in close contact.

The President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences also joined in this position. Tamás Freund has recommended the government to reintroduce the use of Hungary’s immunity cards and masks for events with large crowds or vulnerable populations in enclosed spaces.

Masks Are Returning Indoors


So far, the University of Pécs, the University of Debrecen, and Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) have all mandated the use of masks indoors.

Even the Municipality of Budapest is considering the reintroduction of mandatory masks on public transit. Deputy Mayor Ambrus Kiss said that the city would reinstate the mandate, which many people are asking for, however, the municipality is not under jurisdiction to do so.

Orbán’s Position Contradicts Domestic and International Experts


While there is a noticeable distinction between the position of health experts and the government, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says the ruling is based on epidemiologists’ suggestions that “only vaccination helps.”

"Of course, you can protect yourself by closing yourself in, with a mask, etc., but that will not protect you. This is a virus, the epidemiologists tell me, against which only vaccination can help.”


Speaking to Kossuth Rádió, Orbán told listeners: “don’t be under the illusion that the mask will protect us. The mask does not protect us.”

Not only is the Prime Minister’s position separate from that of health professionals, but it also goes against the recommendations of the World Health Organization as well. On their website, WHO states that along with physical distancing, washing hands, and keeping rooms ventilated, “Masks should be used as part of a comprehensive strategy of measures to suppress transmission and save lives.”

WHO also provides a how-to for mask-wearing, noting that fabric masks should be washed every day, and medical masks should be thrown out after use. Masks with valves should not be used.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
President Trump Diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency After Leg Swelling
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
Tulsi Gabbard Unveils Evidence Alleging Political Manipulation of Intelligence During Trump Administration
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Trump Announces Coca-Cola to Shift to Cane Sugar in U.S. Production
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
Zelensky Reshuffles Cabinet to Win Support at Home and in Washington
"Can You Hit Moscow?" Trump Asked Zelensky To Make Putin "Feel The Pain"
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
Moonshot AI Unveils Kimi K2: A New Open-Source AI Model
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
Western Europe Records Hottest June on Record
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
France Requests Airlines to Cut Flights at Paris Airports Amid Planned Air Traffic Controller Strike
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
×