Dr Nick Coatsworth predicts end to nationwide mask mandates

Dr Nick Coatsworth has called on a re-evaluation of Australia’s mask mandates in school, citing a lack of scientific evidence backing their effectiveness.

Face masks could soon be a thing of the past according to one of Australia’s top doctors, who has called on their use to be re-evaluated in certain settings.

Former deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth on Tuesday proclaimed a turning of tides on masks, which he argued no longer held as much value in schools.

“I think the tide has turned on masks. People recognise they had a place at a time of uncertainty, but are appropriately reassessing their value especially in schools,” he tweeted.

“It is a good time to re-evaluate primary and secondary school mask policy in all Australian jurisdictions.”

Dr Nick Coatsworth has foreshadowed a lowering of face mask mandates. Picture: Lukas Coch/AAP

Medical-grade masks must be worn indoors by all staff and students in Year 7 and above in NSW, as well as all staff from kindergarten to Year 6.

Meanwhile, medical-grade masks are “strongly encouraged” for NSW students from kindergarten to Year 6.

In Victoria, students in Year 3 and up are required to wear masks indoors, while teachers need to wear them at all times when they’re not actively teaching or communicating with students.

It is recommended that students in prep, Year 1 and Year 2 also wear a mask, but it’s not mandatory.

I think the tide has turned on masks. People recognise they had a place at a time of uncertainty, but are appropriately re-assessing their value especially in schools. It is a good time to re-evaluate primary and secondary school mask policy in all Australian jurisdictions.

— Dr. Nick Coatsworth (@nick_coatsworth) February 14, 2022

Earlier this month, Dr Coatsworth suggested there was “colossal cost” and “minimal benefit” when enforcing mask wearing on populations without scientific backing, such as schools.

“Perfect strategy for hospitals where it works,” he said in response to a post about N95 masks that stated, “if you don’t breath it – you don’t catch it”.

Dr Coatsworth took issue with the post’s simplification of mask effectiveness, saying the same logic could not be applied to all settings.

“Extrapolation to other populations without evidence is scientifically flawed. Might apply in a no vax, no treatment, high mortality scenario, otherwise – colossal cost, minimal benefit.”

When plausibility meets reality. The null hypothesis lands a knockout punch on the precautionary principle. @ID_ethics@VPrasadMDMPH#MEGA#makeevidencegreatagain#covid19#covid19aushttps://t.co/qs6C3qB24K

— Dr. Nick Coatsworth (@nick_coatsworth) February 4, 2022

He also retweeted an image of a graph that showed a bigger peak in case numbers where no mask mandate applied in comparison to a less severe peak where there was no mandate.

“When plausibility meets reality. The null hypothesis lands a knockout punch on the precautionary principle,” he tweeted.

His comments foreshadowed a loosening of Covid restrictions scheduled for March 1, including the removal of mask requirements in indoor settings across NSW.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said as part of a plan to bring workers back into the city, advice for people to work from home would be ditched.

“Bringing back workers to the city is a civic duty from which we will all derive benefit, socially and economically,” he said.

Dr Coatsworth also re-shared a post from South Australia Health that highlighted how smokers were at higher risk of suffering a more severe case of Covid.

“Nice to see individual risk factor modification start to emerge as a theme. Nothing you will do in life will make you healthier than quitting smoking,” Dr Coatsworth added.

“It’s hard, no doubt, but lots of things that can help, ask your GP or call Quitline.”