For the first time since its imposition, wearing a mask will no longer be compulsory in the vast majority of public places in Quebec as of midnight Saturday. How to navigate, and what are the right behaviors to adopt? The duty posed the question to a few experts.
Where can the mask be removed?
Most closed or partially covered public places, including childcare centres, schools and school transportation. Wearing a mask is still recommended for vulnerable people, such as those who are elderly or have medical conditions that put them at risk.
When to keep it?
Public transport and health establishments, including hospitals, CHSLDs and medical clinics, due to the large presence of vulnerable people and to protect staff.
When is it still better to wear it?
Even if the mask is no longer mandatory, experts agree that it is better to wear it in certain contexts and to properly assess the risks. “If you are in an enclosed, poorly ventilated area and there is a lot of traffic, do not hesitate to wear a mask”, underlines Benoit Barbeau, virologist and professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Quebec. in Montreal (UQAM). “If you walk into a shopping center, with the space inside it remains a place that is safe,” he adds.
And at school and at work?
The Dr Donald Vinh, microbiologist-infectiologist at the McGill University Health Center (MUHC) thinks that wearing a mask should be encouraged in closed places, considering that there is still community transmission and that hospital beds are occupied by hundreds of patients with COVID-19. “I am thinking here in particular of schools, because there is transmission,” he says. “Nothing has been done to improve ventilation in the buildings,” he adds.
For his part, Benoit Barbeau believes that it is better to maintain air movement in schools and workplaces. “In a place where there are more people, we could perhaps consider wearing the mask depending on the situation, he thinks. There are several aspects to consider, without falling into paranoia. »
What to do if you experience symptoms?
Roxane Borgès Da Silva, professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Montreal (ESPUM), believes that Quebecers should take inspiration from certain Asian countries and wear a mask in case of symptoms. “If in doubt, they wear a mask to protect themselves and others. We will have to adopt this change of practice, she thinks. It is not because we remove the obligation to wear a mask that we must stop wearing it. It will be important to respect the people who wish to do so. »
Keep a mask in your pockets
“Keep it with you at all times,” insists Benoit Barbeau. And when you feel, for whatever reason, that you are not comfortable, wear it, without being too alarmist. He reminds us that the virus is easily transmitted and that we must consider wearing the mask indoors.
wear it properly
Benoit Barbeau stresses the importance of wearing the mask well despite the relaxation of sanitary measures. “I happened to take the bus and the nose is no longer considered an area that must be covered by a mask. Many think the mouth is enough, but it’s not,” he says.
Maximize outdoor activities
Expert Barbeau points out that it is better to recommend outdoor activities, which reduces the risk of transmission. “Maximize outdoor activities, the weather will be nice. And if you’re staying indoors with more vulnerable people, you can wear a mask. You could still be asymptomatic and a carrier,” he points out.
Beware of the risk of reinfection
The Dr Donald Vinh recalls for his part that a person can catch COVID-19 again and that highly contagious sub-variants are still appearing, in particular BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 which circulate in the States United States, Europe and South Africa. “Studies from the United States and South Africa show that the new variants can affect people who have been previously infected, or vaccinated,” he says. “The virus can be transmitted to people who can become seriously ill. And to this is added the fact that transmission allows the development of new variants, ”he says, advocating caution.