Confusing mask advice for Aussies, as Victoria ponders guidelines

Victorians could be asked to wear masks in public but there’s conflicting information about whether they will work in Australia.

There’s conflicting information over whether or not Aussies should be wearing masks to reduce the spread of COVID-19, amid revelations the Victorian Government is working on new guidelines.

Victorians could be asked to wear masks when they’re out and about as the state grapples with a second wave of coronavirus.

Deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth admitted they’d have no use at all in some states and territories.

“Masks for public use are considered on a weekly basis by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC). There’s evidence out there suggesting that they are effective,” Dr Coatsworth told ABC News Breakfast this morning.

There’s been a push in the US for widespread mask use as data continues to show it can slow the spread of coronavirus however Dr Coatsworth said it wasn’t necessary here.

“Where you see this evidence coming out of the United States is where the community numbers are very, very high of COVID-19,” he said.

Community transmission is low in Australia so masks are not thought to be as effective as in other nations. Picture: Scott Barbour/AAP

“So, certainly in the bulk of Australia at the moment, they will be of no use at all. Even in Victoria, where the numbers are modestly increasing, their use may be questionable.

“But certainly if there is a place where we are looking to see whether masks should be recommended, it’s down in Victoria.

“Our position is that if people feel more comfortable wearing a mask, if they are on public transport, they should do so. But they need to be able to do it in a correct way, that’s going to be safe for them.

“We’ve never rejected mask use out of hand. It is just not a widespread recommendation at the moment.”

Meanwhile, Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton says that his state officials are working on guidelines for the community on where they’re best used and which masks give people the best protection.

“I’m happy that masks reduce risks in Victoria now,” he said.

Professor Brett Sutton, Victoria's Chief Health Officer says that his state officials are working on guidelines for the community. Picture: David Crosling/AAP

“I take the perspective when you’re trying to drive numbers down, to maintain your rest and trace capability, it needs to be considered.”

However, speaking on Radio National this morning, Victorian Prof Sutton said Victoria was looking at encouraging people to wear masks when social distancing wasn’t possible – such as on public transport and at supermarkets.

“I’m happy that masks reduce risks in Victoria now,” he said.

“I take the perspective when you’re trying to drive numbers down, to maintain your test and trace capability, it needs to be considered.”

Prof Sutton said Victoria was dealing with a second peak and the state’s health team was working around the clock to bring it under control.

“It’s absolutely a second peak and it’s going to challenge us in the same way as the first one,” he said. “We can’t control every individual person.

“But if it gets beyond us it won’t be due to lack of effort that’s for sure.”

ARE MASKS EFFECTIVE?

University of San Francisco data scientist Jeremy Howard is one of a number of scientists that reviewed the science around the use of face masks and is now calling on US authorities to require masks be worn in all public places.

Mr Howard reviewed the evidence around the use of masks and explained his findings, which have not been peer reviewed, in an article on The Conversation. He said experiments had shown cloth masks were effective at blocking droplets, which is how COVID-19 is largely spread.

He believes the reluctance of Western countries to embrace the use of masks was due to a number of factors.

While many have been quick to point out that masks are not effective at preventing people from getting infected, he believed other benefits of wearing a mask were ignored because of this perspective.

Mr Howard said early research that showed masks weren’t effective, focused on how good masks at were at protecting the wearer from becoming infected, which is very important for health workers.

Masks have been shown to reduce community transmission. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AAP

But other experiments have shown masks are good at stopping people – who are already infected – from spreading the virus, which is important for a disease like COVID-19 that can be spread before people get symptoms.

“There are numerous studies that suggest if 80 per cent of people wear a mask in public, then COVID-19 transmission could be halted,” he wrote.

Another complicating factor was the shortage of medical masks around the world.

His verdict? People should be wearing cloth masks to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

“Until a vaccine or a cure for COVID-19 is discovered, cloth face masks might be the most important tool we currently have to fight the pandemic,” he wrote.

“Given all of the laboratory and epidemiological evidence, the low cost of wearing masks – which can be made at home with no tools – and the potential to slow COVID-19 transmission with widescale use, policymakers should ensure that everyone wears a mask in public.”