UNA calls for municipal governments to create mandatory mask policies

“Specifically, wearing masks in enclosed workplaces and public places, so for example grocery stores or banks. The risk of the virus spreading in indoor places is much higher, and so wearing masks indoors enclosed workplaces is much more important than it is outside.”

He says while the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus still exists while outside, it’s often easier to meet the physical distancing guidelines.

Westhead says masks, even the disposable cloth ones, have been found to be a big part in preventing the spread of the virus, though stresses that it’s not meant to protect the wearer so much as to protect everyone else.

“If you ever thought of when you’ve been in a conversation with someone and they accidentally spit in your face, that wouldn’t happen if that person was wearing a mask. So it’s pretty easy to imagine how effective it is just by putting a barrier in front of your face.

“The virus is spread through respiratory droplets, which are small little particles of fluid. And while the mask doesn’t stop a virus particle, it is effective at stopping respiratory droplets. So the fewer respiratory droplets we shed, we spread around and share with others, the more effective we are at slowing the spread of the virus.”

Before being elected to his position in the UNA, Westhead was an operating room nurse, and would wear masks, along with the doctors and other nurses, for hours on end while on shift. He says there was never any issues with trouble breathing through a mask, even for his coworkers, some of whom had asthma or breathing problems.

However, he does say some people may have legitimate reasons not to wear one, and if a mandatory mask policy were to be implemented, then they should find alternative ways to access necessary services, such as ordering groceries online and having them delivered, rather than going to the store.

He says places with mandatory mask policies have not only seen drastic reductions in the number of new cases, they’ve also seen big gains in their economies.

“One of the things I think we all agree on is that our economy needs to get a boost and a kick start, and we can’t do that if we’re socially distancing and staying at home. So one of the best ways that we can restart our economy is to participate together. The more people that undertake this step, the more effective it is.

“And so while it’s inconvenient to wear a mask, especially in the summer when it’s hot, it’s a bit of the lesser of two evils: would you rather have a lockdown of the economy, or would you rather wear a mask?”

He adds that testing for COVID-19 is ongoing in Alberta, which is beneficial for everyone.

“The more testing the better, the cases are out there, whether we know about them or not, and it’s much better for us to know about, you know knowledge is power. So, knowing those cases are out there helps us determine whether we should go forward with our economic relaunch, or either stay the course where we are, or move backwards.”

He says the knowing how the coronavirus is spreading is essential, because if they lose track and it gets out of control, it can lead to more cases, lockdowns and even deaths.

The UNA wrote the letters asking for the implementation of a mandatory mask policy to the cities of Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Red Deer and Lethbridge. Westhead says Edmonton is looking over the matter in City Council this week.

Grande Prairie City Council is on a break, and Mayor Bill Given was not able to respond to a request for comment.

On Tuesday, the City of Calgary voted in favour of a mandatory mask policy for indoor public places, that will go into effect on August 1.

Premier Jason Kenney has repeatedly said they will not implement a Provincial mandatory mask policy, and will instead leave it up to municipalities to come up with policies.

by Liam Verster

UNA calls for municipal governments to create mandatory mask policies

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