Observer Report
The Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington has claimed Pakistan can prevent around 25,000 deaths due to coronavirus by October 1, 2020, if it makes wearing face masks mandatory in public.
According to the projection made by the institute on their modelling and projections, Covid-19 cases and deaths are constantly on the rise in Pakistan at the moment, however, the number of casualties in the future can be significantly decreased if the people of Pakistan adopt precautionary measures, says a report received from Washington.
“Our modelling shows that if all Pakistanis wear a mask when going out, as many as 25,000 lives could be saved. I encourage all to wear a mask to save lives and protect the economy,” Dr Ali Mokdad, a senior faculty member and chief strategy officer for population health at IHME told media on Saturday.
The IHME, University of Washington, has a long history of collaboration with the Aga Khan University as well as the government of Pakistan. Several Pakistani health officials, including epidemiologists and public health experts, have been trained at the reputed institute in Washington.
Dr Mokdad, who has also served in Pakistan, told media over the phone that in its first projections for Pakistan, the IHME had forecast that a total of 42,188 people would die of the contagious disease in the country until October 1.
“Pakistan is on a concerning trajectory,” the expert said. “As per our modelling and estimates, there would be over 42,000 deaths in Pakistan if protective measures are not taken. But a tight lockdown which the country adopted at the start of the outbreak is also not the solution. The only option left for Pakistanis is the behaviour change, which includes mandatory use of masks while coming out of their homes, practising social distancing and frequent hand washing,” he added.
Urging the Pakistani authorities to promote the use of all kinds and types of masks among the people, he said if a person could not afford an N-95 or surgical mask, he or she should use hand-made cloth masks, adding that the objective was to cover the face to prevent the wearer and others from contracting the disease which is spread through airborne droplets and aerosols.
“As it is an Islamic country, I have observed women in Pakistan covering their faces with pieces of cloths and this can prevent them also from spreading and contracting the illness.
