Clare doctor calls for return to mask wearing

A CLARE GP is supporting calls for people to wear masks in public places in a bid to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, which has resulted in increased admissions to local surgeries and University Hospital Limerick.

Dr Michael Kelleher estimates presentations to his practice has gone up by up to 20% over the last four weeks due to the surge in RSV, Covid-19 and influenza.

The Lahinch doctor recalled mask wearing was a very effective measure during peak Covid-19 surges and should again be repeated in the midst of a significant hike in respiratory illnesses.

“There is evidence that wearing a mask reduces droplet transmission. In the midst of a surge in respiratory illnesses, I think wearing masks in public places might be perfectly reasonable, particularly if you are a vulnerable individual.

“Wearing a mask protects a person you are in close contact with more than yourself. It does make sense. If there was more mask wearing in public, there would be less transmission of respiratory illness.

“It is such a simple thing to do. It is not expensive or onerous. If a person with a respiratory illness is coughing or sneezing this is airborne and a mask greatly reduces airborne spread.

“If you cough across liquid nitrogen, you can see liquid nitrogen spreading across the room.

“If you put a mask on and get a person to cough into a mask, the liquid nitrogen barely moves.

“Other societies are more used to wearing masks such as in Asia due to air pollution and people living in congested cities,” he said.

He explained influenza tends to come in cycles, with an increased prevalence every fourth or fifth year.

The latest health figures indicate RSV is in decline, but Covid-19 and ‘flu are on the increase again.

Due to the “effective Covid-19 vaccination campaign” and the fact the current Omicron strain are less virulent, Dr Kelleher acknowledged most vaccinated people are not getting as sick from Covid-19.

“Covid-19 is very active again in the community. We are getting positive cases and for every case there are a few people who aren’t aware they have it.

“There is a certain amount of complacency amongst some people who are not testing for the virus and they may or may not entertain it as a possibility.

“We still have good reason to be cautious about Covid-19. Sometimes, it can be quite random in its severity. I am aware of a number of young people who are seriously unwell as a result of Covid-19.

“We need to continue hand washing, mask wearing and minimising unnecessary social contacts. That is easier said than done, particularly during the Christmas period when people are going to be out and about socialising,” he said.

Commenting on the huge surge in Shannondoc calls, Dr Kelleher recalled the out-of-hours GP co-operative was the first point of contact for patients for seven days and it also coincided with a public scare about Strep A infections in children and vulnerable that result in a lot of genuine fear and concern.