It crystallized discontent.
The mask is no longer mandatory in the street since June 17 thanks to a surprise announcement by Prime Minister Jean Castex.
It thus closes a controversy, but also a period of relaxation in barrier gestures.
However, will the mask disappear or will it bloom again periodically?
To read also: Between prudence and enthusiasm, the French fall the mask
In 2021, the seasonal epidemics were not as virulent as in other years.
"
It is clear that we have seen the effectiveness of the mask and the hand washing, there was no such epidemic of gastro,
" explains Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor.
"
The impact of influenza still seems to be significantly reduced compared to previous years thanks to the adoption of barrier gestures
," even wrote public health France on its Twitter account.
According to the institution, consultations for flu symptoms increased from 1.8 million to 1.25 million for the winter of 2020. "
These barrier gestures are universal and are not specific to the coronavirus
", insists the doctor.
It would limit contamination during seasonal epidemics
Would generalizing the wearing of masks be relevant during these epidemics?
Not so sure.
“
Too much hygiene kills hygiene.
We must respect the immune system that forms in contact with bacteria.
It should not be unbalanced at the risk of having a mutant selection
, ”explains Gérald Kierzek.
"
There could be a drop in immunity,
" warns Martin Blachier, a specialist in public health and partner of the company Public Health Expertise.
Read also: Is wearing a mask outdoors still justified?
If barrier gestures are important, the mask "
should be reserved for patients in closed environments
".
“
It should be understood that the mask does not prevent falling ill, but prevents contamination of the other,
” recalls Dr. Gerald Kierzek.
“
Wearing a mask for people with flu-like symptoms could significantly reduce the flu contamination
,” says Martin Blachier.
ANSES advises against it for pollution episodes
Another case could arise to encourage the wearing of masks: pollution episodes. These occur every year leading the authorities to request, for example, alternate traffic. In Asian countries, wearing a mask is common to fight against pollution. However, in 2018, a report from the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) advised against wearing a mask for three reasons: the effectiveness of the mask depends on its design and its adaptation to the morphology of the user, its effectiveness decreases depending on its maintenance and use, finally the masks on the market do not protect against gaseous substances.
The mask should therefore not reappear during pollution episodes. The main risk concentrating in fine particles which are not filtered effectively by the masks. Contacted, the Ministry of Health did not respond to the Figaro's requests.