As some COVID restrictions ease in Alberta, is the chance of transmission higher without a mask?
Posted Feb 9, 2021 8:39 pm.
Last Updated Feb 9, 2021 8:41 pm.
CALGARY (City News) – Since the province eased some COVID-19 restrictions, certain activities are allowed where masks aren’t permitted, but is there an increased risk that you could become infected with the virus?
“If you’re attending in the restaurant setting and you’re in your own family and circle of contacts, the likelihood that you’re going to have any transmission to others is extremely remote,” said Dr. John Conly, Infectious Disease Physician and Epidemiologist.
READ MORE: Alberta businesses respond to relaxed COVID-19 restrictions
However, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a federal COVID update back in April last year, face masks help to prevent you from breathing or spreading mouth droplets to the other person.
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“We’re not seeing those droplets coming out at a high degree that would be carrying large amounts of infectious virus that would be infecting another individual,” said Conly.
Now when it comes to ventilation, Conly says if you are close to other people around you and ventilation isn’t great, then the risk of becoming infected is higher.
“But, when you’re looking at large open space that has got usual ventilation, I don’t think there would be any major cause for concern,” added Conly.
