August 4, 2020
Dear Dr. Bonnie Henry, Hon. Adrian Dix and Hon. John Horgan,
Thank you for your ongoing work and commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic. We write to you today, as health care professionals in British Columbia, to express our support for mandatory mask wearing (or use of face coverings). In addition we support the implementation of a public education initiative on the benefits of mask wearing and its proper usage in limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Our opinion is based on recent studies showing that the use of masks provides source control and may provide recipient protection (Review1 Review2). Furthermore, there is no evidence of harm from use of masks. If a 60-80% public usage of masks can be achieved, we can significantly reduce the basic reproductive number (R0) (Reference1 Reference 2).
The reopening of B.C.’s economy will inevitably cause an increased risk of community spread. With this in mind, a recent poll shows that 75% of B.C. residents support a mandatory mask policy in public places (Reference 3). Also noteworthy is the poll result that shows 86% of Canadians believe wearing a face covering/protective mask on public transit should be mandatory (Reference 4). Mandating mask wearing is important because previous public health interventions, such as seat belts and bicycle helmets, have required laws for increased compliance by the public.
Specifically, we recommend mandatory masking (or face covering) policies in “ACT” :
● All indoor spaces outside the home (such as hospitals, schools, shops, and businesses)
● Crowds (anywhere that is difficult to distance from others)
● Transit (public transportation)
We recommend that persons with medical contraindications and/or disabilities, and young children be exempt from this policy. We recommend distribution of masks to populations that may be vulnerable and/or at higher risk in order to reduce inequity. We do not recommend penalties to enforce the policy. Rather, we encourage education to help the public understand how to wear a mask properly, and the importance of masks for health and economic recovery.
We believe it should be at the discretion of provincial jurisdictions as to whether mandatory masking is implemented, but in locations of high population density and/or where community spread is ongoing, it should be mandated. There may also be a role in regions where there is no community spread in order to prevent new introduction of the virus.
British Columbians have sacrificed so much to flatten the curve, and we have been successful. We are now at an important juncture in our efforts to again take control of the spread of COVID-19. Mask wearing in addition to current physical distancing measures and hand hygiene can assist in the safe reopening of public life and can prevent additional outbreaks. An immediate implementation of mandated mask policies will help protect British Columbians. We ask that you not let our sacrifices go to waste.
We would like to assist you with this discussion in any way possible. Thank you for your valuable time.
My mask protects you, your mask protects me, we all protect society.
Signed by the following BC Physicians and Dentists:
Dr. Ashley Ko MD FRCSC Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia Dr. Eric M. Yoshida OBC MD MHSc FRCP(C) FACP FACG FCAHS FAASLD Professor of Medicine Division of Gastroenterology University of British Columbia President Vancouver Community of Care Medical Staff Association/Vancouver Physicians Staff Association Dr. Dan Kalla MD, CCFP (EM) St. Paul’s Hospital Dr. Peter Dolman MD FRCSC Clinical Professor Head, Division of Oculoplastics and Orbit Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia Dr. Sonia N Yeung MD PhD FRCSC Director, Cornea Service University of British Columbia Medical Director, Eye Bank of British Columbia Dr. Olivia Kei MD CCFP Dr. Venetia S.J. Mah MD CCFP Clinical Instructor, University of British Columbia Residential Care, MSJ Hospital - Extended Care Unit Dr. R Tom Liu MD FRCSC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Dr. Claire A. Sheldon MD PhD FRCSC Clinical Assistant Professor Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, UBC Dr. Roy Cline MD FRCSC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Dr. Nathan R Chan MD, FRCPC General Internal Medicine Dr. Amie Padilla-Thornton MD FRCPC Mount St. Joseph Hospital Medical Imaging Dr. Karen Tran MD MHSc FRCPC University of British Columbia Dr. Alina Webber MD FRCPC MSc Neurology Dr. Suzana M. Gilmour MD FRCPC Abbotsford, BC Dr. Alice Ho MD CCFP Family Medicine, Vancouver Dr. Anika Lee DMD Vancouver BC Dr. Heywood Choi MD FRCPC Department of Endocrinology Abbotsford Regional Hospital Dr. Ann Lu DMD Victoria BC Dr. Ka Wai Yam MD CCFP Family Medicine Dr. Lica Chui MD FRCSC DABO Ophthalmology, Vancouver Dr. Catherine Ho MD FRCPC FABPMR CSCN Diplomat (EMG) Diplomat Sports Medicine Dr. Salim Lalani MSc MD FRCSC Clinical Assistant Professor Division of General Gynaecology & Obstetrics University of British Columbia Dr. Juliya Hemmett MD FRCPC Nephrology Dr. Sean McCarthy DMD Nanaimo BC Dr. Wayne Choi MD FRCPC Emergency medicine Royal Columbian Hospital, Vancouver / New Westminster Dr. Myra Butler MD MHSc University of British Columbia Dr. Lydia Chen MD FRCSC DABO Clinical Associate Professor Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia | Dr. Anna Wolak MBBS, MCFP Department of Family Practice University of British Columbia Dr. Cindy Huang MD Dr. Paula B. Gordon OBC MD FRCPC FSBI Clinical Professor Department of Radiology University of British Columbia Dr. James Heilman MD CCFP(EM) Clinical Assistant Professor Department Head, Emergency Department East Kootenay Regional Hospital Dr. Jane Gardiner MD FRCSC Interim Department Head, Dept Ophthalmology BCCH Clinical Professor, Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia Dr. Alfonso Iovieno MD PhD FRCSC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia Dr. Karen Wong MD FRCPC Clinical Instructor, Department of Anesthesia University of British Columbia Nanaimo Regional General Hospital Dr. Marion MacKay-Dunn MD FRCPC Geriatric Medicine, University of British Columbia Vancouver General Hospital Dr. Cindy Lee MD CCFP Family Medicine, Vancouver BC Dr. Amit Khosla MD FRCPC Adult Cardiologist, Heart Failure Specialist Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiology University of British Columbia Dr. Julia Wei MD MSc CCFP Dr. Christina Han MD FRCPC FAAD University of British Columbia Dr. Ross Kennedy MD CM (McG) Clinical Assistant Professor Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia Dr. Jillian Lusina MD CCFP Family Medicine, Vancouver Dr. Jason Lee DMD Vancouver BC Dr. Roop Randhawa MD FRCPC Department of Anesthesia University of British Columbia Dr. John Lee DMD Vancouver BC Dr. Rehana Ahmed MD CCFP Family Medicine Dr. Bryan Wong DMD MSc Dip Pedo FRCD(C) Victoria BC Dr. Mark Fok MD FRCPC Department of Geriatric Medicine Dr. Megan Rees MD FRCSC DABO Clinical Associate Professor Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia Dr. Farah Ramji MD MHSc CCFP Family Medicine Dr. Xing Wong MD FRCPC Radiology Dr. Yume Kohno MD FRCPC Radiology Dr. Mary Lou Jackson MD PhD FRCSC Clinical Assistant Professor Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia Dr. Steph Wise MD FRCSC Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Providence Health Care Dr. Robert Schertzer MD MEd FRCSC Clinical Associate Professor Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia Dr. Norman Hwang MD FRCSC Ophthalmology | Dr. Giorgia Tropini MD MSc Dr. Jean Chuo MD FRCSC Clinical Assistant Professor Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia Dr. Warren Bell BA MD CM CCFP FCFP(LM) Past Founding President, CAPE (Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment) Rural Preceptor, University of British Columbia Dr. Judith S. Wolfe MD FRCP(C) Department Head, Pediatrics St. Paul’s Hospital Dr. Marla Gordon MD CCFP Medical Director Vancouver Community LTC and Community Geriatrics Dr. Christopher Lyons MB FRCS(C) Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia Dr. Angela Law MD FRCPC DABD Dermatology Dr. Andrew Thamboo MD PhD FRCSC MHSc Research Director CME Director Assistant Professor, Division of Otolaryngology University of British Columbia Dr. Chris Waite MD FRCSC Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia Dr. Alison Lee MD FRCPC University of British Columbia Dr. Roberta Dionello MBBS FRCPSC Mount St. Joseph Hospital Dr. Mihaela Van Idour MD University of British Columbia Dr. Jamil Bashir MS FRCSC Clinical Professor Division of Cardiovascular Surgery Providence Health Care Dr. Tiffany Winstone MD FRCPC Vancouver, BC Dr. Gloria Yuen MD FRCPC Department of Psychiatry University of British Columbia Dr. Amanda Lau MD CCFP Family Medicine Dr. Andrea Butler MD FRCSC Dept of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia Providence Health Care Dr. Andy Chan MD FRCPC Radiology Vancouver General Hospital Dr. Elizabeth Waterman MD FRCSC Maternal-Fetal Medicine Dr. Matthew Yeung DMD Vancouver BC Dr. Benny Lau MD FRCPC Clinical Assistant Professor Division of Cardiology University of British Columbia Dr. Gloria Wong MD FRCPC Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry University of British Columbia Dr. Andrea Gonzalez Patterson MD CCFP Family Physician, Vancouver Dr. Salina Chan MD FRCPC Psychiatry Dr. Melissa Lem MD CCFP FCFP Family Medicine Dr. Adelyn Ho MD MPH FRCSC Plastic Surgery Richmond General Hospital |
Disclaimer: The views of the individual participants do not necessarily reflect the perspective of their corresponding organization.
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