Despite a growing body of literature pointing to the value of face masks as a public health tool, the last government was slow to advise people to wear them. On the other, it reminds us that public health officials fear a resurgence in infections due to such travel. The same mixed messaging has been a feature of the discussion around schools, where different agencies of State have seemed at cross-purposes. Such guidance only arrived on Wednesday, when the Health Protection Surveillance Centre produced its own interim view. Arms of State should not be producing different advice, and at different times.

Source: The Irish Times July 03, 2020 19:00 UTC