There is no benefit to wearing a face-mask outdoors when you can socially distance, according to the HSE’s top Covid-19 infection control expert. Prof Martin Cormican advises that “distance is always your best bet” in protecting against the virus and masks are “no substitute” for it. Speaking to The Irish Times last week before the Government’s announcement, Prof Cormican said he could not see “any value” in wearing a mask when outdoors and more than two metres from people. Masks and other forms of personal protective equipment are “what you do when you can’t avoid the risk in any other way”. “There is a very broad consensus in public health nationally and internationally that masks are of value.

Source: The Irish Times December 01, 2020 06:41 UTC