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Experts urge authorities to broaden the use of face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19

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5 years ago

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As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread, having now infected over 110,000 people in 110 countries, opinions of whether face masks are necessary for everyone is still hotly debated.

In China and in other countries like Japan, face masks are a common sight with people using it for when they feel unwell or as a measure against pollution.

However, other parts of the world including Europe and America, authorities only encourage the use of masks for ill people who are out in public.

Inkstone news did a review of the nine countries with the highest infection rates of COVID-19 and found that only three of those countries recommend the usage of masks even for people without respiratory symptoms as measure to curb the spread of the virus.

China recommends both healthy and sick people to use masks at all times while South Korea and Japan encourage sick people to use masks at all times and for healthy people to use it in crowded places.

Meanwhile, national health authorities in Italy, Iran, France, Spain, Germany, and the United States recommend that only sick people use masks, noted Inkstone.

Experts urge the use of masks for all to curb asymptomatic transmission of the virus

Given the spread of the virus outside of China, the article notes that some experts have recommended authorities around the world to rethink the usage of masks.

Referring to an article published in a medical journal, Lancet, on 3 March, it was noted that researchers argue that COVID-19 has “defied conventional containment strategy”. This can be seen as some patients in the early stages of infection show little to no symptoms while being infectious.

“People wear masks to protect themselves in close person-to-person contacts, but unintentionally, they are protecting each other through source control,” said Chi Chiu Leung, Tai Hing Lam, and Kar Keung Cheng in the article.

Another point in considering the usage of masks is the fact that there have been many people who have contracted the virus but do no exhibit symptoms like cough and fever.

In China, major cities have enforced a rule on wearing masks in public, even going so far as to detain people who attempted to use public transport without a mask.

Speaking to Inkstone, Dr DJ Hamblin-Brown, vice-president of medical affairs at United Family Healthcare in Beijing, said that China has recognised the need to control the spread of COVID-19 by asymptomatic patients.

While a non-peer reviewed study found that the incubation period for the coronavirus could be as long as 24 days, other experts and researchers have estimated that most infected people will develop symptoms about five days after infection.

This means that someone could be carrying the virus but remain asymptomatic, meaning they might go undetected and continue living their daily lives, infecting others along the way.

In many countries, asymptomatic transmissions have been recorded. In Singapore, one example is that of a British businessman who contracted the virus in Singapore and spread it to others when he went on a skiing trip in France before heading back home to the United Kingdom. All the way, the man was asymptomatic. However, 13 infections were traced back to him.

Researchers and WHO diverge on mask usage recommendations

Now, as a cautionary measure, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has suggested that the only ones who should be donning masks are people with respiratory symptoms. The organisation also urges caution to reduce the risk of infection, such as limiting touching your face.

However, a microbiologist at the University of Hong Kong, Professor Yuen Kwok-yun, argued for broader use of the masks.

The professor, who is also an advisor to the city’s COVID-19 taskforce, told Chinese state media Caixin that “wearing a mask not only protects yourself but also protects others in case you are an asymptomatic patient”.

When queried by Inkstone about this take on the issue, WHO said that they are aware that asymptomatic patients could pass on the virus, adding that there is still much that they don’t know about the virus. The WHO spokesperson added that the organisation is closely monitoring new data.

How effective are masks anyway?

So, on the question of whether masks are as effective in preventing respiratory diseases, studies from around the world prove that it is.

In a 2014 study in Japan of over 10,000 students, it was shown that face masks do reduce the risk of catching the flu.

A 2016 analysis of 25 studies conducted between 1999 to 2014 on the usage of face masks during the Muslim pilgrimage, commonly known as hajj (haji), concluded that masks could provide “significant protectiveness” from respiratory infections.

In the current situation with COVID-19, some experts have noted even if the pathogen is small enough to penetrate, the masks could effectively block droplets of virus-carrying saliva and thus reduce the risk of infection.

Illustrating that infection is an accumulative process, 82-year-old virologist Changshou Hang from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said that a person could be infected if they inhale a large dose of viral droplets at once.

He explained, “If you are wearing a face mask, viral droplets can still get to you, but it will be in much less dosage.”

The question of mask usage is also a cultural one

Given the opinions of various experts on the usefulness of masks in protecting the wearer and those around them, the other aspect that is considered is the culture surrounding mask usage.

Keiji Fukuda, a director at the school of public health at the University of Hong Kong, told Inkstone that it is common to see people wearing masks in Asia where it is culturally accepted. However, many countries in the west “simply do not believe promoting healthy people to wear masks is useful”.

This dichotomy is illustrated in an example of a Canadian in Tokyo who was baffled when seeing how common surgical masks were in Tokyo back in 2014.

The man wrote to an advice columnist in the Japan Times that where he comes from, only health professionals wear masks, and even then, only when they are on the job.

In the aforementioned Lancet article, the authors suggested that the cultural pressure to use masks could help curb further spread of COVID-19 by asymptomatic patients.

They said, “If everyone puts on a mask in public places, it would help to remove stigmatization that has hitherto discouraged masking of symptomatic patients in many place.”

Managing the global shortage of masks

If we go by the recommendations of researchers and health experts for all people to use masks, then the question arises whether there is enough masks to go around.

So far, health authorities, including in Singapore, have recommended that healthy people do not need to wear masks. The common reasoning given is to protect the supply of masks for those who really need them, such as frontline healthcare workers and sick people.

This is a legitimate concern given that the WHO has estimated a 100 fold increase in demand for face masks since the outbreak began. This has led to a global shortage which the organisation warned could place healthcare workers at risk. This is also a concern that was noted in the Lancet article.

However, some experts have noted that other face-coverings could be used in place of masks if the latter are unavailable.

Dr Brown from United Family Healthcare said, “Masks are not magic. They are just a bit of cloth covering the face.”

He explained that a handkerchief or scarf could be used in place of a mask to prevent droplet spread, adding that these should be washed daily and not be handled when in use.

In fact, South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety even revised its guidelines on face masks last week (4 March), recommending the reuse of cotton or disposable masks as a temporary measure.

Dr Brown also cautioned the public against hoarding heavy-duty masks such as the N95 variety as those should be reserved for healthcare workers.

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Farewell to Dr Lee Wei Ling: Rain marks solemn tribute, echoing her father’s funeral

Dr Lee Wei Ling’s funeral was conducted on 12 October 2024, in Singapore, with family members leading the procession in the rain. In a heartfelt eulogy, her brother, Lee Hsien Yang, remembered her dedication to medicine and family. Dr Lee had requested a simple ceremony, with her ashes to be scattered at sea.

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1 day ago

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12 October 2024

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Li Huanwu and Li Shaowu sending off their aunt, Dr Lee Wei Ling in the rain (Photo: Lianhe Zaobao/唐家鴻)

Dr Lee Wei Ling was farewelled on 12 October 2024, in a solemn funeral ceremony attended by close family members and friends.

The weather was marked by light rain, drawing comparisons to the conditions during her father, Lee Kuan Yew’s funeral in 2015.

Her nephews, Li Huanwu and Li Shaowu, led the procession, carrying Dr Lee’s portrait and walking side by side under the rain, symbolically reflecting the loss felt by her family.

In his emotional eulogy through a recorded video, her brother, Lee Hsien Yang, spoke of Dr Lee’s profound contributions to medicine and her unshakable devotion to family.

He described her as a remarkable individual whose life had left an indelible mark on those who knew her, as well as on Singapore’s medical community.

Expressing deep sorrow at her passing, Lee Hsien Yang reflected on their close bond and the immense loss he felt, having been unable to attend her final farewell.

He recalled his private goodbye to her in June 2022, a poignant moment that stayed with him during her last months.

Lee Hsien Yang also reiterated Dr Lee’s wish for a simple funeral, a reflection of her humility.

In accordance with her wishes, her body was cremated, and her ashes will be scattered at sea, symbolising her desire for a modest and unobtrusive departure from the world.

LHY acknowledged the efforts of his sons, Li Huanwu and Li Shaowu, for their role in managing their aunt’s care during his absence, thanking them for their dedication to her comfort in her final days.

During his eulogy for his sister, Lee Hsien Yang also conveyed a message from Dr Lee regarding the family’s long-standing issue surrounding their home at 38 Oxley Road.

Quoting from Dr Lee’s message, LHY said: “My father, Lee Kuan Yew, and my mother, Kwa Geok Choo’s, unwavering and deeply felt wish was for their house at 38 Oxley Road, Singapore 238629, to be demolished upon the last parent’s death.”

Dr Lee had been a vocal advocate for ensuring that this wish was honoured since Lee Kuan Yew’s death in 2015.

Dr Lee and LHY had strongly supported their father’s wishes, while their elder brother, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, took a different stance. This disagreement led to a public and highly publicised rift within the family.

In her final message, Dr Lee reiterated: “Lee Kuan Yew had directed each of his three children to ensure that their parents’ wish for demolition be fulfilled. He had also appealed directly to the people of Singapore. Please honour my father by honouring his wish for his home to be demolished.”

Dr Lee had maintained a private life, focusing on her medical career as a respected neurologist. She was known for her candid views, often unflinching in her advocacy for transparency and integrity.

Her professional accomplishments, combined with her strong commitment to her parents’ legacy, made her a significant figure in both Singapore’s medical community and public discourse.

Diagnosed in 2020 with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative disorder, Dr Lee faced immense physical and emotional challenges in her final years.

The illness progressively affected her movement, speech, and ability to swallow.

Despite her health struggles, Dr Lee remained actively involved in public discussions, particularly on matters concerning her father’s legacy, until her condition worsened to the point where communication became difficult.

By March 2023, her brother LHY revealed that her condition had deteriorated significantly, and he feared he might not be able to see her again due to his own circumstances.

Even in her final months, Dr Lee maintained a close relationship with her immediate family, who cared for her during her illness.

Dr Lee’s funeral and cremation mark the end of a significant era for the Lee family and Singapore.

Her legacy as a dedicated neurologist and a firm advocate for her parents’ values will continue to resonate, even as the debates over the future of the Oxley Road property remain unresolved.

The rain that fell during her funeral, so reminiscent of her father’s final farewell, added a symbolic layer to this momentous chapter in Singapore’s history.

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Current Affairs

TJC issued 3rd POFMA order under Minister K Shanmugam for alleged falsehoods

The Transformative Justice Collective (TJC) was issued its third POFMA correction order on 5 October 2024 under the direction of Minister K Shanmugam for alleged falsehoods about death penalty processes. TJC has rejected the government’s claims, describing POFMA as a tool to suppress dissent.

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1 week ago

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6 October 2024

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The Transformative Justice Collective (TJC), an advocacy group opposed to the death penalty, was issued its third Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) correction direction on 5 October 2024.

The correction was ordered by Minister for Home Affairs and Law, K Shanmugam, following TJC’s publication of what the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) alleges to be false information regarding Singapore’s death row procedures and the prosecution of drug trafficking cases.

These statements were made on TJC’s website and across its social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter).

In addition to TJC, civil activist Kokila Annamalai was also issued a correction direction by the minister over posts she made on Facebook and X between 4 and 5 October 2024.

According to MHA, these posts echoed similar views on the death penalty and the legal procedures for drug-related offences, and contained statements that the ministry claims are false concerning the treatment of death row prisoners and the state’s legal responsibilities in drug trafficking cases.

MHA stated that the posts suggested the government schedules and stays executions arbitrarily, without due regard to legal processes, and that the state does not bear the burden of proving drug trafficking charges.

However, these alleged falsehoods are contested by MHA, which maintains that the government strictly follows legal procedures, scheduling executions only after all legal avenues have been exhausted, and that the state always carries the burden of proof in such cases.

In its official release, MHA emphasised, “The prosecution always bears the legal burden of proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and this applies to all criminal offences, including drug trafficking.”

It also pointed to an article on the government fact-checking site Factually to provide further clarification on the issues raised.

As a result of these allegations, both TJC and Annamalai are now required to post correction notices. TJC must display these corrections on its website and social media platforms, while Annamalai is required to carry similar notices on her Facebook and X posts.

TikTok has also been issued a targeted correction direction, requiring the platform to communicate the correction to all Singapore-based users who viewed the related TJC post.

In a statement following the issuance of the correction direction, TJC strongly rejected the government’s claims. The group criticised the POFMA law, calling it a “political weapon used to crush dissent,” and argued that the order was more about the exercise of state power than the pursuit of truth. “We have put up the Correction Directions not because we accept any of what the government asserts, but because of the grossly unjust terms of the POFMA law,” TJC stated.

TJC further argued that the government’s control over Singapore’s media landscape enables it to push pro-death penalty views without opposition. The group also stated that it would not engage in prolonged legal battles over the POFMA correction orders, opting to focus on its abolitionist work instead.

This marks the third time TJC has been subject to a POFMA correction direction in recent months.

The group was previously issued two orders in August 2024 for making similar statements concerning death row prisoners.

In its latest statement, MHA noted that despite being corrected previously, TJC had repeated what the ministry views as falsehoods.

MHA also criticised TJC for presenting the perspective of a convicted drug trafficker without acknowledging the harm caused to victims of drug abuse.

Annamalai, a prominent civil rights activist, is also known for her involvement in various social justice campaigns. She was charged in June 2024 for her participation in a pro-Palestinian procession near the Istana. Her posts, now subject to correction, contained information similar to those presented by TJC regarding death penalty procedures and drug-related cases.

POFMA, which was introduced in 2019, allows the government to issue correction directions when it deems falsehoods are being spread online.

Critics of the law argue that it can be used to suppress dissent, while the government asserts that it is a necessary tool for combating misinformation. The law has been frequently invoked against opposition politicians and activists.

As of October 2024, Minister K Shanmugam has issued 17 POFMA directions, more than any other minister. Shanmugam, who was instrumental in introducing POFMA, is followed by National Development Minister Desmond Lee, who has issued 10 POFMA directions.

Major media outlets, including The Straits Times, Channel News Asia, and Mothership, have covered the POFMA directions. However, as of the time of writing, none have included TJC’s response rejecting the government’s allegations.

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