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Covid-19: is the mask really useless outdoors?

2021-02-04T15:01:17.099Z


For several days, personalities mobilized against the government's health policy have denounced the obligation to wear a mask


It has been on our faces for months, each time we go out.

The mask, mandatory outdoors in most French cities for several months, is starting to bother some.

According to them, this gesture would be useless in the fight against the transmission of the virus when it is carried outside.

We take stock of what we know.

Where does this dispute come from?

A hashtag launched on Twitter "#ArretMasqueExterieur" was recently among the most shared.

The lawyer known to conspiratorial circles Carlo Alberto Brusa, guest on Wednesday evening of Cyril Hanouna's program, Touche pas à mon poste, also echoed him.

According to him, the mask outdoors is useless in the fight against Covid-19 when worn outdoors.

A Danish study is often cited to support this point, as in this tweet from Florian Philippot, ex-member of the National Rally (RN) and president of the Les Patriotes group.

“Since November 18, 2020, we have scientifically known that the mask on the outside is absolutely useless.

Danish study on 4,862 people.

Same rate of contamination with or without a mask.

[…] Stop this dehumanization.

#ArretMasqueExterieur, ”he wrote.

Since November 18, 2020 we know scientifically that the mask on the outside is strictly useless.

Danish study on 4,862 people.

Same rate of contamination with or without a mask.

The study: https://t.co/djJNnPJs4o Stop this dehumanization.

#OutsideMask

- Florian Philippot (@f_philippot) February 2, 2021

What does science really say about wearing a mask outdoors?

As Le Monde recalled last November, the results of the Danish study cited by Florian Philippot have been distorted.

But if the wearing of a mask indoors is a consensus, it is true that its effectiveness outdoors is more difficult to demonstrate.

“In France, we don't know how we get infected.

Based on this observation, it is very difficult to obtain data on the mask outdoors, ”recalls Benjamin Davido, infectious disease specialist at Raymond-Poincaré hospital, in Garches (Hauts-de-Seine).

But that doesn't mean that getting contaminated outdoors is impossible.

"When you are outside, in a gathering, less than two meters away, you are certainly outside but there is a multiplication of the risk of contamination if you sing, drink beer ...", continues the infectious disease specialist, who pleads for the precautionary principle: "It is beneficial to protect yourself all the time".

Above all, the obligation of the mask outside has made it possible to simplify the wearing of the mask in society, according to the scientist.

“Finally, that has the merit of not making people think: there is something of common sense and simplicity.

You don't have to put it on, take it off, put it back on again as soon as you do something.

Especially since you do not know what your day is made of, if on your way out you come across your neighbor who is not wearing the mask and you are chatting, there is a risk, or if you come across a jogger who is blowing near you ”, illustrates the infectious disease specialist.

For Sandrine Raffin, specialist in changes, especially in health, the compulsory mask has made it possible to create a social standard.

“When someone starts to no longer wear the mask in transport, we look a little badly, he is outside the social norm.

In general, the standard of wearing a mask, in everyday life, in stores, was established very quickly ”.

Is this dispute representative in France?

While it is difficult to quantify, the movement against wearing masks outdoors is far from being the majority in the population.

“There is not really fed up, people have accepted it.

It has become a protective device and even a reflex, ”says Benjamin Davido.

“In general, when we are in cities, we see it, the mask is well worn.

There was a great acceptability, the French adopted this mask.

Even if it is dulling, there has been a national momentum ”, abounds Sandrine Raffin.

Is France an exception to this measure?

No.

In Spain and Italy the mask is compulsory outdoors.

In Greece, for a few days also.

In Belgium, in the capital, the authorities who had made the mask compulsory everywhere in the city, finally gave up.

In several countries, discussions are underway, such as the United Kingdom or Canada.

In summary

  • Some known figures in the conspiratorial spheres want to go back on the obligation to wear a mask outdoors, arguing that it is useless.

  • While it is difficult to obtain reliable data on contamination outdoors, it is possible to become infected even outdoors, remind the scientists, who advocate the "precautionary principle".

  • The obligation to wear a mask outside has also made it possible to standardize its use in society.

Source: leparis

All life articles on 2021-02-04

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