An increasing number of people are choosing to wear face masks in public
It’s not compulsory.
Still, the number of people who are choosing to wear a face mask while out in public is increasing steadily, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health.
As Ireland emerges from lockdown, new data shows that 1.7 million people are now wearing face masks in Ireland, up 6% on the previous week.
The HSE advice is to wear a face-covering in situations where it is difficult to practice social distancing, such as in shops and on public transport. Experts believe they could “help prevent people who do not know they have the virus from spreading it to others” by reducing the spread of respiratory droplets.
Do you wear a face mask when you go out in public?
— Yay Cork (@yaycork) June 16, 2020
This week Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Health Simon Harris launched a national campaign to encourage the use of face coverings.
“It is not a magic shield, but it is an additional measure aimed at stopping the spread of this virus,” said Mr Harris.
“If you cannot keep a two-metre distance, we recommend you use face coverings. We are strongly encouraging people on public transport to use them, in shops and supermarkets. And if you are visiting a loved one who is over 70 or someone who has a medical condition, we are asking you to wear a face covering and help shield and protect the most vulnerable.”
‘We have seen no excess mortality since May’
Yesterday was the second day since May 25th where no additional Covid-19 deaths were reported anywhere in the country for 24 hours, although 18 new cases were confirmed.
Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan confirmed that there was no “excess mortality” in May.
“We also have done analysis as a result of the RIP.ie data, which we know captures in excess of 98% of deaths, to look at what that trend tells us and to make comparisons to other countries. And that shows we have had an excess mortality experience in this country,” Dr Holohan said.
“It occurred for the most part over the course of the months of March and April, then, in fact, it reduced back to baseline.
“In other words, we have seen no excess mortality in this country since the beginning of May, whereas the excess mortality experienced in many other European countries has continued beyond that point.”
