Public health officials have recommended mask use. It's time to make them mandatory.

As our economy reopens the risk of new outbreaks of COVID-19has increased. To reduce spread public health officials have recommended mask use weeks ago. This is a measure Canadians support; based on a recent poll, the majority of Canadians are willing to wear masks in public. Despite this, mask use remains highly variable.

Models of disease show masks produce a synergistic effect when a large majority of people wear them. This creates an environment where outbreaks of infection will burn out. 

We know the majority of Canadians support mask use. We know masks help prevent spread of disease, and if a large majority wear them outbreaks will burn out. Our leaders took decisive action to impose lockdowns, which deprived people of their livelihoods, resulted in a severe recession and unprecidented bankruptcies. When it comes to masks, our leaders have been timid and seemed concerned with political backlash. Masks are inexpensive, and are at most mildly uncomfortable. They are far less burdensome than reentering a lockdown. To protect each other and our economy we need our leaders to mandate masks in the following situations as outlined by the Masks4Canada group:

A: All public/enclosed indoor spaces
C: Crowds/crowded outdoor areas
T: public Transit

The Premiers of Canadian provinces and territories have been added to the petition. Please share this petition to help control the spread of COVID-19. Until there is a vaccine, our arsenal is limited to distancing, testing and contract tracing, hygiene and masks.

Please also check out the Masks4Canada website and Facebook group.