Mask-wearing on public transport is being mooted in many countries to counteract rising infection rates not only of COVID but other winter respiratory diseases too.
Mask-wearing is now “encouraged” in France and the US, but it is still mandatory in Spain on aircraft and public transport. French Health Minister, François Braun, is mulling over the idea that France should return to mask wearing in public places, including on public transport.
He recently said he was asking people to wear COVID protective masks on public transport in places where people mingle close to one another (like public transport). In France, ski lifts are included. He said it was the responsibility of everyone to do this, and called on the public to go back to “the good habits of protective measures".
A Euronews report says as winter sets in in Europe, new cases of flu, COVID-19, and bronchitis are surging, particularly in children, and putting the French health system under strain.
Vaccination rates in France are low. Press reports say that in France, only 20% of people aged 80 and over have had a fourth dose, while 35-40% of those aged 60-80 overall have had their most recent jabs (fourth shot).
A so-called ‘tripledemic’ is also sweeping through the US, where members of the public are being asked to mask up in public places. There, reports are that three very contagious respiratory viruses, influenza, coronavirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are rampant, just weeks before the festive season, and Americans are being encouraged but not compelled, to wear masks.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Director, Dr Rochelle Walensky told US press that wearing a mask was an everyday precaution that people could take to reduce their chances of catching or spreading a respiratory virus.
