Wearing a mask: the Academy of Medicine would like to make it compulsory

“To citizen masks!”. The National Academy of Medicine couldn’t have chosen a clearer title for his communicated on wearing a mask, published on April 22. The text is based on an observation: although social distancing measures have been in force in France since March 17, they cannot always be respected, especially in confined spaces, such as elevators, supermarket aisles, or even public transport.

The Academy had already recommended the wearing of a “anti-splash mask covering the nose and mouth, intended to retain sputters and prevent their dispersion in the immediate environment”, at the beginning of April. From now on, she highlights the “altruistic” principle of the mask since it does not protect the person who wears it, but those that she could come across.

“A ‘citizen’ attitude which must be made compulsory”

Édouard Philippe, the Prime Minister, had declared on April 19 that he was “probable, with regard to public transport, that it will be compulsory, to use them, to wear a mask for the general public” after May 11, the date which should mark the start of deconfinement in France. A measure deemed insufficient by the National Academy of Medicine. “Restricting the wearing of a mask in public transport only means neglecting all public spaces where the risk remains”, she assures. Its members believe that much more should be done.

“To be effective, the wearing of anti-projection masks must be generalized in public spaces. This measure can only have an epidemiological impact on the circulation of the virus if all individuals compel themselves to apply it as soon as they leave their home.can we read in the press release. A simple recommendation is not enough, everyone must consider themselves to be potentially carriers of the virus and contagious, even when they feel in good health. Taking care not to contaminate others is not optional, it is a ‘citizen’ attitude which must be made compulsory in the public space..”

Wearing a mask now

In addition, the Academy calls on everyone to mobilize. “Subordinating this obligation to the free supply of masks by the State is to reinforce the population in a situation of assistance and disempowerment., she wrote. Its members are asking “every family” to make washable and reusable cloth masks from inexpensive common materials. And this right now.

“Waiting until May 11 to have the French wear the mask means giving SARS-CoV-2 three weeks of respite so that it continues to be transmitted.can we read in the press release. This means accepting several thousand new infections, therefore several hundred hospitalizations and several dozen additional deaths. The institution goes so far as to reuse the term used repeatedly by Emmanuel Macron from the start of confinement. “France having declared war on Covid-19, the National Academy of Medicine strongly recommends citizen mobilization for the wearing of masks.”