We may soon be asked to put on masks once again: Toronto health official

Among some students there are a range of views about bringing back masks

Torontosun.com
Nov. 10, 2022
Scott Laurie

A senior Toronto Public Health official has cautioned the province may soon strongly recommend a return to masking as COVID and flu infections put pressure on the health-care system.

“Our chief public health officer of health has said very publicly that strongly recommended masking may be coming,” said Dr. Vinita Dubey, associate medical officer of health for Toronto Public Health (TPH).

“We can see that with that strong recommendation, mask usage does increase -- even without having to go to a mandate.”

A surge in respiratory illness is expected to worsen, especially among young people.

Dubey made her comments Wednesday during an Ontario Medical Association briefing, featuring a panel of doctors, who stressed the importance of flu and COVID vaccinations and masks.

“Once we recognize that we’re in this situation now -- of increasing respiratory viruses -- we can all take that measure to wear masks,” she added.

As the discussion about masks ramps up, Waterloo University instituted a mandate Wednesday.

“We strongly encourage you to wear a mask in all indoor spaces, though this is still optional in non-academic settings and activities,” a school statement read. “We all have a role to play to protect the most vulnerable in our society.”

Outside Monarch Park Collegiate, students expressed a range of views about masking on Wednesday.

A few students continue to wear a mask regularly.

“They’re used to it. It’s been two years of covering your faces, so now they just feel weird taking it off,” said Anam Ali.

Karl Mckinnon described, “it was like a big celebration. Everybody was so happy,” when masks became optional.

He said if students have to wear them again, “maybe at first it would be annoying. Breathing is harder, and you can’t see people faces. But after a bit you get used to it.”

Benjamin Martin added that while he prefers a mask-free existence, “I guess I would be fine with it” if health officials imposed a new mandate.