The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Azerbaijan, Hande Harmanci, clarified whether it is necessary for children to use medical masks in a pandemic. Harmanci told Trend that an international group of experts brought together by the WHO examined the evidence of COVID-19 disease and infection in children, as well as limited evidence of children's use of masks.
Based on factors such as children's psychosocial needs and developmental stages, WHO and UNICEF recommend that children under the age of five should not be required to wear a mask. This is a decision based on the child's safety and general interest, as well as the ability to use the mask with minimal assistance. Harmanci added that WHO and UNICEF recommend that the decision to use a mask for children aged 6-11 be based on a number of factors. Listing these factors, the WHO official noted that these include the prevalence of the virus in the child's area, the child's ability to use masks safely and correctly, access to masks, and washing and changing masks in certain places (such as schools and childcare services). Supervision and instruction of the child by an adult to wear, remove and use the mask safely, in consultation with teachers, parents, caregivers or health workers to determine the potential impact of wearing a mask on learning and psychosocial development, adults at high risk of serious illness communication with those who are and the circumstances in which they fall. Harmanci also stressed that the WHO always advises the population to follow the recommendations of local authorities.