MOH backs non-surgical masks in public

The Ministry of Health and Wellness fully supports the wearing of face masks by the general public, acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Anton Best said tonight. But he was swift to point out that these should be cloth masks made using the guidelines set out by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Dr Best, who was speaking during the CBC TV 8 Evening News ahead of the tomorrow’s implementation of new shopping regulations at supermarkets and hardware stores, said the public should not be using the N95 surgical masks.

He said: “The emergency operation centre of the Ministry of Health put forward a policy position on the use of face masks by the general public.

“We want to stress that we support the use of face masks by the general public and by face masks we taking about fabric or cloth facial coverings.

“We are not taking about the use of medical masks. We have to stress that the use of medical masks such as the N95 masks surgical masks must be reserved for the health care setting.”

Dr Best said the ministry is recommending that all masks makers use the guidelines on the CDC’s website.

The medical chief said: “There are many different websites that offer guidelines on the making of masks. There is some variation. However, the Ministry of Health supports the CDC guidelines.

“So go to the United States Centres for Disease Prevention [CDC] – you will find directions as to how to make cloth masks or fabric face coverings.”

The doctor cautioned the public about getting “too comfortable” with wearing masks and developing a sense of false security, repeating the need to continue practising all the other preventive and hygienic measures.

Dr Best said: “You have to appreciate that this global pandemic there is a shortage of such masks and there is no evidence to suggest that the wearing of such masks is of any benefit to the general public. I want to take the opportunity to stress and we want people to know become complacent with wearing masks you still have to remember the importance of hand hygiene.

“You are washing your hands with soap and water, using alcohol-based hand sanitiser and also physical distancing. Those measures in addition to mask, is what we are promoting at the Ministry of Health and Wellness for the prevention and control of COVID.”

The Chief Medical Officer pleaded with the public to comply with the guidelines and to adhere to the restrictions in order “to prevent an exponential growth of the virus which will overwhelm the healthcare system”.

He declared: “This is for a time but we have to continue it. This is going to reduce the spread of the virus so I want to encourage all persons watching tonight all persons listening to continue the physical distancing in addition to other measures.

“We are seeing persons who are unnecessarily close and not practising social distancing. There seems to be a lack of understanding of what the Government is trying to achieve. We are appealing to persons to adhere.”