Spain reacts to the return of masks after Covid
MADRID – Spain has made wearing masks obligatory in health care centres as cases of flu and Covid-19 infections soar, but the measure has divided opinion.
The health ministry also recommended masks in private clinics, pharmacies, and other medical facilities like dentists – raising questions over whether the UK should do the same.
“What we must do is protect the most vulnerable people. It’s just common sense,” said Spanish health minister Monica García.
A poll for Onda Cero radio station, conducted five days before the measure came into effect on Wednesday, found that 71.63 per cent were against it while 28.37 per cent were in favour.
‘Cases are through the roof’
Alicia García López, 49, an intensive care nurse at the Hospital Clinico San Carlos in Madrid, told i: “The cases of influenza A including admissions in intensive care and sick calls among healthcare workers are through the roof now.
“From a selfish point of view, why take the risk if you can avoid it with something as simple as wearing a mask?
“I also think it might help to unconsciously adopt attitudes like a mild kind of social distancing and hand sanitation.”
‘It’s pure theatrics’
Guillermo Rocafort, 53, a lecturer in law and international relations at the University Carlos III in Madrid, said: “I have never been vaccinated against Covid-19.
“One politician says wear a mask, another says don’t. It is pure theatrics.
“If they had asked us to wear masks in the street again like they did during the pandemic, then I think that would be paternalist.
“But I suppose wearing masks in health clinics and places where doctors and nurses are only protecting yourself against getting sick. In other places no one is wearing them.”
‘Young people aren’t wearing masks as much’
Rosanna Castillo Calvo, 65, a retired council administrator from Madrid, lost her mother Carmen Calvo to Covid in 2020. The 86-year-old was living in a care home when she died. Hundreds of elderly people died in residential homes during the pandemic.
“It seems young people are not wearing them as much as older people. There are people who say that you don’t build up antibodies if you wear a mask but I am convinced of the measure. So many people died in the pandemic,” she told i.
“It seems that administrators in the hospitals are annoyed that they have to wear the masks but it must be a good idea for doctors. You also see people wearing them on public transport.”
‘It may be for political reasons’
A 21-year-old law student, who did not want to be named, said: “I think during the pandemic the government brought in a state of emergency and that turned out to be illegal.
“If they have brought in the use of masks because of technical reasons then that makes sense but if it is for political reasons then that is not something I can support.”
In 2021, the Spanish constitutional court ruled the state of emergency brought in by the government at the start of the pandemic was unconstitutional.
