Should Canada revise mask recommendations in light of new COVID-19 variants?

By News Staff

With concern increasing over new highly contagious COVID-19 variant strains, several countries around the world are revising their mask advice to prevent another surge in cases.

In Canada, mask recommendations have been the same for months and there is no sign any new advice is on the way.

South of the border, double-masking has become common and Dr. Anthony Fauci says it is effective.

“This is a physical covering to prevent droplets and virus to get in,” says Fauci. “You put another layer on it just makes common sense that it likely would be more effective.

Experts say that double-masking helps the mask that is closest to the skin fit more snugly.

In Europe, countries including Austria and France are now saying cloth masks are out and surgical masks are in. Germany has made surgical masks mandatory in grocery stores and on public transit.

The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to recommend the use of three-layer non-medical masks with a filter layer. That has not been updated since November before the new variants of the virus emerged.

The agency tells the Toronto Star it will stick to that advice for the time being.

Ontario’s chief medical officer recently addressed the province’s mask advice and suggested there will be no imminent changes.

“We have yet to have our science group recommend going to surgical masking for the general public,” said Williams.

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