To fight against the coronavirus epidemic, wearing a mask has been compulsory in closed public places since Monday July 20. A measure inapplicable in sports halls.
- In sports halls, masks are not worn during exercise.
- Closed public places, sports halls are potential sources of transmission of the coronavirus.
- Me Fabrice Di Vizio believes that the conditions of application of the decree should be specified.
On July 14, President Emmanuel Macron made wearing a mask compulsory in closed public places to prevent a second wave of coronavirus. In theory, sports halls – which are therefore closed public places – are no exception to the rule. In theory only. In practice, masks are not worn during exercise. “We put on masks when we move from machine to machine”, says Laura, a client of a gym with 4,000 members. “But when I’m on the machines, I don’t wear a mask. It’s impossible to do sports with a mask. Just now I forgot to take it off, I wasn’t well. We breathe badly, we are too hot, we recover less. It is very unpleasant, and it can even be dangerous”.
A fine of €135 in the event of an inspection
Aware of the problem, sports halls therefore do not impose the wearing of a mask during physical exertion, but only during travel. It is also requested to clean the machines after their use. “Wearing a mask while traveling is not completely useless I think, since the room is very large. It protects you from the people you meet,” Laura continues. If we stick to the text of the law, our sportswoman risks a fine of 135€ in the event of an inspection, and her gym an administrative closure accompanied by potential legal proceedings. For Benjamin, who also frequents one of these rooms, “wearing a mask is simply useless. When we move, we wet the mask with the perspiration of the effort that we have just made. So we’re leaving droplets all over the air anyway.” Skeptical, this great sportsman with impressive muscles still took the fold. “I wear the mask to the room, even if I think it’s useless.
Protect yourself and others
A new study of JAMA has just demonstrated that wearing a mask significantly reduces the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection, even if the protective effect is not 100% guaranteed. “Although not a randomized clinical trial, this study provides critically important data to highlight that the mask helps prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, point out the scientists in a related editorial. Covering the mouth and nose with filter materials serves two purposes: personal protection against inhalation of pathogens or harmful particles, and source control to avoid exposing others to infectious microbes that can be expelled during breathing”, say the experts.
The partial wearing of masks in the gym is therefore problematic from a health point of view, all the more so since the coronavirus seems to be able in certain circumstances to be transmitted through the air. “The transmission of the virus by aerosols could be responsible for the outbreak of Covid-19 reported in certain closed places, such as restaurants, nightclubs, places of worship or workplaces where people may shout, talk or sing. We should avoid crowded places, places of close contact, and enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.” clarified the WHO after much procrastination. On July 21, France had no less than 208 active coronavirus outbreaks, with the circulation of the virus increasing.
Specify the conditions of application of the decree
The case of sports halls also raises a legal problem. “Contrary to what has been put in place with our transalpine neighbor, wearing a mask in the gym has been made compulsory even during physical activity. This measure can have serious consequences, and can lead to the government being held responsible in the event of an accident related to the wearing of the mask.analyzes master Fabrice Di Vizio, who is awash in calls from sports doctors denouncing the absurdity of the decree.
Close rooms?
New potential epidemic foci, legal headaches… Shouldn’t we simply close the sports halls in France? “For me, that would be really hard. This is what I missed the most during confinement, Laura disapproves. It’s not the same to play sports at home, outside or indoors. The gym allows you to do a lot of different exercises thanks to the equipment. In one hour, you can run, walk, climb stairs, row, cycle…”, explains the beautiful thirty-something.
Without going that far, Me Fabrice Di Vizio believes that the conditions for applying the decree governing the wearing of a mandatory mask in closed public places should already be specified. “In Italy, there is a list of the places concerned by the wearing of the compulsory mask, and the conditions of application of the decree are detailed for each place. For example, at the theater, you have to wear the mask at the entrance to the room and to access your seat, but not once you are seated. concludes the legal expert.
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