This is precisely the point. Although in Italy the law 38/2010 was approved about palliative care “intended for a fragile patient or a patient suffering from an incurable and chronic disease”, as stated in the final document 10/04/19 of the investigation of the XII Commission of the Chamber of the Deputies approved unanimously, the current death ideology aims at something else, pointing to the lower point of self-determination.

In this difficult time, there are many urgencies that our country must face, from the economica and energetic crisis to the aftermath pandemic, from new poverty to the war in Europe, up to the election of a new government. Despite everything, I believe that the palliative care theme – especially pediatric ones – is a priority issue to be urgently supported, if we want to consider ourselves a civilized Country. I refer again at the words of Enoc about palliative care “don’t mean accompanying to death but creating a path that takes care of the child – and not only – in all his needs and at the same time take care of his family. Also brothers and sisters must be taken into great consideration, because often they will suffer serious consequences.” A challenge of civilization, the one about palliative care. A challenge that the new Italian government, which will be formed in the next few days, will absolutely have to bear. Glimmers of hope come from the city of Brescia: from November will open the School of Specialization in Medicine and Palliative Care, established this year in Italy. Act on people culture and training in this matter. Give value to a discipline that is now indispensable. Give dignity to the sick by taking away the pain, because there are no incurable diseases.

by: Emmanuele Di Leo, President of Steadfast

Steadfast Onlus often assists families in which one or more members fight daily against the most varied of diseases. The protection of life, and therefore of health, is one our fundamental value.

For this reason we want to talk to you about the importance on the use of face mask as a life-saving device, not only against Covid-19, but also for many infections and diseases.

As illustrated in the image, a face mask not only reduce the contagion between people, but also reduces the viral / bacterial / infectious load to which the person is exposed. Exposure to a lower viral load is one of the factors behind a positive outcome for a person affected by the COVID-19 disease.

– If you are in an enclosed, public space, please wear a mask.

– If you are outdoors and you are in a gathering situation, please wear a mask.

– In all conditions where you cannot keep the safety distance, please always wear a mask.

– It is not always possible to know the health history of those in front of you who could be an oncological patient, an immunosuppressed, a transplanted person, not necessarily elderly. Behave in such a way as to protect those in front of you.

Obviously, common sense wants that if you are driving alone in your car, the use of the mask is not necessary as well as in other circumstances in which you are alone or between relatives belonging to your same household (this is different, instead, for family members living in a different household).

After careful review, we came to the conclusion that there is no scientific evidence that prolonged use of surgical face mask can have long-term harmful effects on the human body. Carbon dioxide is a gas made up of very small CO2 molecules which are evacuated during respiration. There is nothing that can trap this gas for so long that it can cause harm to your body.

The surgical mask is absolutely disposable, and should be thrown away once it is finished in the period of use indicated on the package as it tends to accumulate impurities.

To limit the consumption of surgical masks, and therefore its cost, you can use a protective protection made of fabric that can be washed daily and sterilized thanks to the steam of ironing. Some models also have the option of a removable filter.

The use of the face mask, however obnoxious and uncomfortable, is a fundamental effort in this moment that will allow our society to gradually return to normal, as the experience of the Asian countries teaches us.

Preserve the lives of the weakest. Wear a mask.