“At this stage”, the government excludes the return of the mandatory mask in closed public places, explained François Braun granted to the Sunday newspaper. An opinion that could evolve, says the Minister of Health, according to the evolution of the health situation but also of the vaccination campaign.
To fight against the current “triple epidemic” (Covid-19, flu, bronchiolitis), the Covars (committee for monitoring and anticipation of health risks), successor to the Scientific Council, issued a new opinion on Monday. If you emphasize the effectiveness of wearing a mask indoors, you do not decide for or against the return of your obligation.
The “benefit” of the bonus
The scientists underline in their opinion the importance of the general use of masks in closed public places in the fight against the Covid-19 epidemic, but also to curb other viral respiratory diseases.
“The Covars recall the respective benefits of the obligation compared to the simple recommendation to obtain this generalization of the use of the mask, although there are few numerical data,” reads the opinion published this Monday, which underlines a “very low level of use mask on public transport and other closed places”.
Despite this, if the committee requires the use of a large mask among the population, it does not recommend its obligation, as in its previous opinion, and is content to issue arguments for and against.
The problem of French membership
On the one hand, an obligation would make it possible above all to “guarantee optimal protection and inclusion of the most vulnerable people in public space” and at the same time encourage respect for other barrier gestures.
On the other hand, this decision would lead to “a perception of limitation of individual liberties” together with a difficulty in “precisely defining the places of this obligation.”
In addition, Covars believes that “an active search for the adherence of individuals and communities to the use of a mask in each epidemic resumption” should be encouraged, without having to go through an obligation.
The final decision rests with the politician.
The committee also adds that “the proportionality of any recourse to the obligation must be analyzed based on the level of risk to health.”
In short, it is up to politicians to make the final decision regarding these recommendations and arguments.
Whether the mask becomes mandatory again or not, the Covars ask to “strengthen their accessibility and free availability in all places where they are necessary” and “limit the cost” to all people who wish to have them there.
Source: BFM TV
