Pathologists say order to wear COVID mask outdoors not backed by science

The Malta College of Pathologists has warned the order to wear facemasks outdoors as part of new COVID-19 measures, risked alienating the public and creating resentment.

The College said it was important that interventions related to COVID-19 need to be backed by scientific evidence “or, at least, a strong theoretical rationale.”

The College said scientific literature suggests that less than 1% of COVID-19 infections are likely to be acquired in an outdoor setting, and even then after a prolonged length of time in crowded situations.

“More emphasis therefore should be placed on limiting participation in indoor activities and avoiding large gatherings indoors. It does not make sense to impose wearing of masks outdoors in all situations irrespective of risk. Wearing of masks outdoors should be limited to situations in which there are large gatherings, crowded spaces and mixing of different households,” MCP secretary Alexandra Betts said.

“Walking outdoors by oneself or with members of the same household at a good distance from others does not pose a risk of transmission. Measures lacking scientific evidence will only serve to alienate the public and introduce resentment which in turn introduces the risk that the truly effective practices will be ignored by a disillusioned public.”

Malta has been a leader in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout with proactive planning and execution, noted as key reasons for the success of the vaccination campaign.

But the College of Pathologists said it was essential that the same scientific approach be adopted in other COVID-19 related public health measures. “These are just as important and need to be equally accepted by the Maltese public if we are to avoid the worst consequences of the next wave of the pandemic,” Betts said.