Charles Platiau / Reuters
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SCIENCE – The rule seems clear and immutable, but the exceptions are many. Since July 20, the wearing a mask is mandatory in France in all enclosed public places.
A logical and useful measure at first glance. Evidence of the effectiveness of masque face au coronavirus accumulate in scientific journals. The exact effectiveness of this tool is not entirely clear, of course, and physical distancing and the fact of avoiding risky areas (confined space, poorly ventilated, crowded, etc.) are certainly more effective in protecting oneself from harm. Covid-19.
But in view of the low negative impact, the use of the mask is more and more recommended. However, the various decrees have left derogations which are very logical for the main concerned, but which may seem incoherent from an epidemiological point of view.
• In cinema and theater
If you want to see a movie a play, you need a mask, like in all enclosed public places … at least for a few minutes. Indeed, a decree of July 10 explains that it is not compulsory to wear it once seated in its place, provided that every other seat is empty. However, it is recommended and institutions may make it mandatory on a case-by-case basis.
Questioned by Francetvinfo, two researchers find this problematic and believe that the mask should be mandatory in the gym. In Japan, the city of Tokyo raised its alert level in mid-July following an increase in the number of people infected with the coronavirus. One play in particular was the source of at least 37 contaminations, reportVariety. 850 people were tested, because they were possibly exhibited during one of the 12 performances of the play.
In Japan, the rules of distancing and the wearing of masks are de rigueur in these cultural places, but the organizers would not have respected these obligations, perhaps explaining these contaminations.
• In restaurants and bars
If wearing a mask is theoretically mandatory in restaurants and bars, it is only when traveling for consumers. As with cinemas and theaters, once seated, the mask can be removed. At the same time, difficult to eat with …
The problem is, bars and restaurants are known to be areas where outbreaks of coronavirus tend to form. In study (pre-published), researchers analyzed the formation of 200 different clusters around the world. If they are not among the worst configurations for the Covid-19, bars, restaurants and canteens are among the areas that come back regularly.
• In planes
In transport, the rule seems to be quite simple and strict: wearing a mask is compulsory at all times. For some companies, homemade fabric masks are not not even allowed. Another subtlety: the minimum age. The decree specifies that it is compulsory for anyone aged 11 and over.
But a European-wide agreement was found on Thursday July 23, report RTBF. It stipulates that wearing a mask will become compulsory from the age of six. A divergence which shows above all that the European Union was not very united on this subject, recalls the Belgian channel. 11 years in France, 12 years in Belgium, 6 in Spain …
These differences echo here scientific uncertainties. It seems that young children are less infected and transmit Covid-19 less. Coupled with the difficulty of use mask for the youngest, this explains why they are exempt from it. However, the link between coronavirus and children is far from clear, and the age at which the risk increases either. This provokes debates on the question of the mask, but also on the reopening of schools.
• In the enterprises
With the new decree published in July, “for companies nothing changes”, it is the Medef who says so. Indeed, the Ministry of Health specifies, on his page dedicated to the compulsory mask, that apart from companies welcoming the public, “many health standards and restrictive measures […] already govern life in companies ”.
Indeed, since deconfinement, wearing a mask is mandatory, but only if physical distancing cannot be respected. However, as it seems that the coronavirus can be transmitted through the air in closed, confined and poorly ventilated environments, the question may arise of the usefulness of simply leaving a distance of one meter between each employee in a small office.
The ministry specifies that the high council of health was seized on this question. In all cases, “in the event of an effective rebound of the epidemic [dans les entreprises], the government does not rule out strengthening [les mesures] to guarantee the health and safety of employees ”. In view of the development of active clusters in France, this strengthening is far from improbable.
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See also on The HuffPost: From seat belts to masks, the same refrain of refractories
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