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Mar煤 Cristina Lesmes clarifies that face masks are only required in specific debris zones following the earthquake.

Mar煤 Cristina Lesmes, the health secretary of Valle del Cauca, clarified that the recent earthquake did not cause a massive deterioration of the region's atmosphere. She dismissed alarmist social media reports claiming that the general population must wear face masks at all times. Lesmes explained that while significant structural damage occurred in Santiago de Cali, the destruction is localized to specific areas. Therefore, she stated that face masks are only necessary for those directly exposed to dust and debris in collapsed buildings. In Cali, health secretary Germ谩n Escobar supported this assessment, noting that there is no general biological risk. He emphasized that the use of masks is primarily for rescuers and those working near contaminated debris. Authorities have established special routes for removing contaminated material to ensure safety. Health officials confirmed that epidemiological monitoring remains active, with no abnormal increase in respiratory diseases reported so far.

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