How something ‘that offers no protection’ was nevertheless advised nationally

There is not yet any scientific consensus on the usefulness of the protective agent. But if it can help in the slightest, why shouldn’t we? Critics are increasingly asking this question to the RIVM and the cabinet. The WHO also advises from June to wear mouth masks in public areas

At the end of July, a RIVM study showed that wearing a mouth mask is correct does not lead to the dreaded imprudence. The institute also points out that other studies show that people keep less distance. Again not a definite answer, but again ammunition for the advocates of a duty to mask.

Fauci advises Van Dissel

The same month, the American RIVM concluded that mouth and nose masks are one of the most powerful weapons against the spread of the virus. “I would ask him to look at the rapidly increasing amount of data on the importance and effectiveness of facial masks,” prominent American corona advisor Anthony Fauci told Jaap van Dissel this week. in an interview with Nieuwsuur.

If the contamination figures rise sharply in the Netherlands in September, the discussion about mouth masks flares up again. Last Monday, Rutte announced that wearing a mouth mask is recommended in shops in large cities. Several OMT members and mayors later say that according to them better national advice can apply. Two days later, today, Rutte tackles.

RIVM remains unconvinced. “Mouth masks probably only help to a limited extent in preventing contamination of others”, it says at the time of writing on the RIVM website. It remains to be seen what the advancing insight will be now that the same advice applies to the whole of the Netherlands.

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