The US Is Still Arguing Over The Obligation To Face Masks When People From Other Countries Start Wearing Them

Photo illustration (Macau Photo Agency / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - President of the United States (US) Donald Trump has drawn controversy by refusing to wear a mask in public. However, on Tuesday, July 21, he gave his strongest support to public health experts who appealed to the US public to wear masks.

"We ask everyone when they are unable to physically distance themselves, (at least) wear a mask," Trump said during a briefing at the White House. "Whether you like the masks or not, they have an impact."

His sudden change of tactics took place amid a political debate over masks in the US, according to CNN. The US is approaching a bleak milestone for COVID-19 with a record of more than four million confirmed cases. The highest number of any country in the world.

Public health experts have spent months stressing that masks are one of the most effective tools to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Many US states have made it mandatory to wear masks in public.

However, Trump has refused to agree to a national mandate for the use of masks. Trump expressed a desire that everyone has the freedom to determine something, including the use of masks.

In a journal published last May, experts say the world needs to deal with airborne transmission of the virus. Experts say countries that implement universal use of masks tend to be better able to control the rate of transmission of the virus. Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong, for example.

The Hong Kong government, like many other countries in Asia, recommended masks from the start of the pandemic. Last week, Hong Kong announced that wearing masks was made mandatory after the spike in COVID-19 transmission occurred. Most Hong Kongers have regularly worn masks in public.

Padmini Murthy, professor who is also Director of Global Health at New York Medical College, said, "wearing a mask is something that is honorable." He highlighted countries such as South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand that have practiced wearing masks, maintaining physical distancing and tracing contacts since the start of the pandemic. These countries now have a case ratio of less than six deaths per one million people.

Divided opinion

However, masks remain a divisive topic in the US. Arkansas joins at least 39 states in the US that make the use of masks mandatory. However, other states, such as Florida and Arizona, hand over mask policies to local officials.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp sued Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms for mandating the use of masks. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert in the US has also urged governors and mayors to "be as strong as possible" to get people to wear masks.

Discussions about whether or not the use of masks is the new norm have also been circulating in many other countries. In fact, British Prime Minister (PM) Boris Johnson, who initially did not regulate the use of masks, has now made it mandatory, especially for those who travel by public transportation. This obligation began in mid-June. Anyone who violates will be fined.

Meanwhile, France made a mandatory policy for masks in all closed public spaces. This policy coincides with the extension of regulations on the use of masks in cinemas, museums, shops, banks and shopping centers. The police can award fines of up to 135 Euros for rule breakers. The policy has been in effect since May.

In the Czech Republic, wearing masks is mandatory for everyone when outdoors. The policy, which came into effect on March 19, then applies to children under two and people who drive alone. Meanwhile, in April, Germany imposed fines of between 15 and 5,000 Euros for people not wearing masks in April.