Re: Hamilton Mask Wearing - Mandatory???
I was so startled to see the news in our Spectator today that our Mayor has come out in support of mandatory masks in our City.
Can this be true?
There is no scientific evidence that mask wearing can impact the transmission of coronaviruses or any other influenza like respiratory illnesses.
This is acknowledged by the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association and many other renowned experts in influenza and other health matters.
From the WHO:
Non-pharmaceutical public health measures for mitigating the risk and impact of epidemic and pandemic influenza" (pg.20) - 'Masks worn by asymptomatic people are conditionally recommended in severe epidemics or pandemics, to reduce transmission in the community. Although there is no evidence that this is effective in reducing transmission, there is mechanistic plausibility for the potential effectiveness of this measure.'
And if you look further at the Appendix which contains the scientific literature review that led to their recommendation it notes: "Ten RCTs (randomized control trials) were included in meta-analysis, and there was no evidence that face masks are effective in reducing transmission of laboratory-confirmed influenza."
Further from the WHO:
"Non-medical, fabric masks are being used by many people in public areas, but there has been limited evidence on their effectiveness and WHO does not recommend their widespread use among the public for control of COVID-19..."
From the Journal of the American Medical Association:
"When Should a Mask Be Used?... Face masks should not be worn by healthy individuals to protect themselves from acquiring respiratory infection because there is no evidence to suggest that face masks worn by healthy individuals are effective in preventing people from becoming ill."
It is amazing to me that our councillors would suggest a significant intrusion into the details of the lives of your constituents and the operations of our many important businesses where there is NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE that such measures will have any benefit.
If people want to wear a mask that is fine. I am not even that opposed to seeing their use "encouraged" or opposed to businesses requiring them. I wore one while I got my haricut on Saturday, no problem. However - I take strong issue with passing of By-laws, complete with punitive measures and fines in support of something for which there is no scientific evidence for the efficacy.
What we need from our councillors is reassurance that this virus is nearly beat in our community - we are down to 90 (ish) cases the last time that I checked and the numbers keep going down. Our death count is very low when reviewed against comparable Municipalities and for this we should be thankful.
If this matter proceeds to discussion at a Council meeting I will be entering my letter into the record and may attempt a delegation request so that this can be discussed further.
Please do the right thing. Mandatory masks are not right for Hamilton.
Best Regards,
Andrew & Nadine Smith (Petra, Daniel, Fanny)
25 Bentley Place
Hamilton, ON
905-741-4685
