Three experts consulted say they will continue to wear a mask in closed, poorly ventilated places and where there are many people. They recommend that the public do the same.
While public pressure appears to have prompted authorities to drop this requirement, wearing a mask continues to be one of the best ways to prevent transmission of the virus, says Montreal cardiologist and epidemiologist Dr. Christopher Labos.
He especially recommends that people 60 and over, immunocompromised people and pregnant women continue to wear a mask during gatherings or in crowded places. Unvaccinated people should also wear a mask, since they are more at risk of developing complications from the disease.
Afterwards, for the general population, which is not too at risk, if people remove it, they have a chance of developing the disease and hitting the winning number of “long COVID”
adds Roxane Borgès Da Silva, professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Montreal.
Remember that studies estimate that between 10 and 20% of people infected with COVID-19 develop long-term symptoms.
Moreover, there is a segment of the population that has no choice but to continue living with high risk. Wearing the mask protects the elderly and immunocompromised people from the virus, while allowing them to regain some normality.
We see everywhere in other countries and provinces, the mask has fallen. It is a request based on the individual interest, not on the collective interest
says Ms. Borgès Da Silva.
Continuing to wear the mask is the lesser evil and is an easy measure to adopt and apply, adds Dr. Catherine Hankins, professor of public and population health at McGill University and co-chair of the Task Force on immunity to COVID-19.
In addition, Mrs Borgès Da Silva would like to point out that the masks home
are clearly not enough to deal with the Omicron variant, which is highly contagious.
A study of CDC in the USA (New window) showed that, in indoor public places, medical masks reduce the risk of infection by 66%, while N95 and KN95 masks reduce it by 83%. Wearing a cloth mask seemed to reduce the chances of getting infected by just 56%.
How to determine your individual risk?
Another reason that pushes these experts to continue wearing the mask is the fact that it is currently difficult to know one’s individual risk of being infected.
Dr. Labos says that if the government wants to give people the choice of whether or not to wear the mask, it must also better inform them of the epidemiological situation, which is not the case at the moment. Without data, it’s unclear how much COVID-19 there is in the community. People have to guess.
If there seems to be a slowdown in the number of infections, Dr. Labos reminds that the virus is far from having disappeared. He fears that by changing the message, too many people will interpret the end of mask-wearing as proof that the pandemic is over.
Many Quebecers may not realize that the pandemic continues to have major repercussions on the health care system, says Dr. Labos.
” It’s easy to have the impression that everything is over, that everything seems normal. But it’s also easy to underestimate how difficult the situation still is. »
Ms. Borgès Da Silva recalls that the province is still experiencing high levels of infections and hospitalizations. According to the Center interuniversitaire de recherche en analyze des organizations (CIRANO), there are still tens of thousands of cases per day in Quebec. As of May 4, there are still nearly 2,200 people hospitalized, which corresponds to a level twice as high as that which prevailed during the first waves.
Omicron causes many asymptomatic infections. There is a very high chance of transmitting the virus [sans même le savoir]. We do not know if the people around us are vaccinated, if they are infected
adds Catherine Hankins.
For all these reasons, Ms. Hankins and Ms. Borgès Da Silva would have preferred that the government maintain the obligation to wear a mask a little longer, the time that this sixth wave begins to descend.
We do not see a steep downward slope in the incidence of cases. In this context, if we remove the mask, it will increase the circulation of the virus. With an already very high level, it could create challenges
says Ms. Borgès Da Silva.
A generally accepted measure
These experts will probably not be the only Quebecers who will continue to wear the mask, according to the latest survey conducted by the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec. (New window) (INSPQ).
About 60% of Quebecers said in mid-April that they will wear the mask even if the measure will no longer be mandatory. Only half of young people aged 25 to 44 say they intend to wear a mask when it is no longer mandatory, while 85% of people aged 60 and over say they will continue to wear a mask.
Dr. Labos will not be surprised to see several Quebecers wearing a mask in public places. People got used to it and were made aware [aux bienfaits des masques].
Moreover, more than 80% of Quebecers surveyed believe that wearing a mask is very or somewhat effective.
There are several students who have not yet removed their masks in class, even if they are no longer obliged
emphasizes Roxane Borgès Da Silva. It is a change of practice; I adopt a standard of respiratory hygiene in order to protect myself and others. And, not just for COVID-19.
Dr. Labos says all of his colleagues will continue to wear the mask and require their patients to wear the mask. If the majority of doctors continue to do this, it’s probably a sign that it’s a good idea, he says.
Although a large proportion of Quebecers say they will still wear the mask, only a third of Quebecers consider themselves to be at very high risk of catching COVID-19 and more than half do not believe that the disease will be dangerous for their health. . On the other hand, nearly 60% of respondents say they are worried about infecting someone they know.
A paradigm shift for the future
Dr. Labos thinks it will be extremely difficult to require masks to be worn again if there are new waves. Yet, he says, wearing a mask remains one of the most effective and least expensive methods of avoiding lockdowns and closures.
Society will be increasingly aware of the usefulness and effectiveness of the mask in preventing the transmission of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, in the same way that it has been with regard to the wearing of seat belt in a vehicle. However, it will probably still be years before the majority of the population adopts this sanitary measure during new waves, estimates Dr Labos.
In 20 years, we will be surprised [d’apprendre] that people have already been allowed to visit a hospital patient without wearing a mask
he said. We will do as in Japan, where wearing a mask is common during the flu season.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca