micron “the end of the epidemic” and “the best thing is to let the virus spread”, Pedro Simas defends

Virologist Pedro Simez believes that COVID-19 “currently has no danger in Portugal” and doubts the efficacy of containment measures.

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After Christmas, this Tuesday, Portugal reached a new record for daily cases COVID-19, with 17,172 new injuries. However, unlike a year ago, there were only 19 deaths and 22 patients boarding schools. For Pedro Simez, there is no doubt: “This is the end of the epidemic and it will happen all over the world.”

“During these two years, what has happened is that people in some countries have not been vaccinated, but nature has not stopped. The virus is going on and so this will stop everything at the same time”, Indicates.

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The virologist, interviewed on CNN Portugal’s Novo Dia, noted that “at the moment, there is no danger in Portugal”, adding that the country is “in the best possible condition” (taking into account the vaccination rate at around 90%) and should One has to “allow the virus to spread”.

Covid-19 is close to becoming an endemic disease

Simas believes that the emergence of the Omicron variant (less virulent and more transmissible) indicates that SARS-CoV-2 follows a similar evolution to other coronaviruses and that it will eventually become endemic.

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“This is the unambiguous entry into endemicity. It only enters into a real epidemic when most people in a country are already infected with the virus and the virus is freely transmitted. This is normal,” he points out.

The specialist states that, “After three weeks, this was confirmed [a Ómicron] It’s less virulent and more contagious.” Seamus believes the new alternative will “conquer the whole world and make Delta disappear.”

In his opinion, “this is excellent news for a country like Portugal”, considering that this strain is “very effective in transmitting itself and will give immunity to very good people”, especially against the previous variants, which had more severe symptoms.

Are restrictive measures necessary and useful?

In Pedro Simas’ opinion, the answer is no, because he understands that Portugal has replaced the “queues of people in the emergency room”, verified last year, with “queues of people in the emergency room to undergo tests and go to hospitals because they are out of fear of this exaggerated concentration on infection.”

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The virologist classifies the restrictions currently in place as “extremely painful”. Simaz reiterates that the measures are “not effective in preventing the spread of the virus” and that this spread would be “helpful” in cases such as Portugal, as it confers “much more complete natural immunity” than that resulting from vaccines.

“At this point, it makes sense to take on the global leadership role that Portugal has with 90% vaccination. They took that position and hit the world with an example that we might not trust. This beta test is not good, there is a lot of concern. (…) No There is practically no danger in Portugal.” Warning.

Pedro Simas says that entering next year “in full swing” would recognize that “the measures being adopted in Portugal are too exaggerated”.

Isolation period and use of masks

Monday , Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from the United States has recommended reducing the isolation period for those who have tested positive for covid-19 from 10 to five days. Pedro Simas goes further and says that the period of isolation must be eliminated.

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“It does not reduce, it eliminates. Portugal cannot start the year with closed schools. There is no scientific or public health reason to close schools. These viruses will spread like others”, theories.

As for the use of the muzzle, the specialist believes that it should be maintained during the months of January and February. However, he cautions that prolonging the recommendation to use respiratory protection for an extended period could become a problem for “public health conditions.”