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In spacehey we can read a request that we all should wear a face mask. In addition, we should follow local guidelines, it says. In my country now, there are no mandatory face mask rules, and there are no local guidelines to wear face mask. What? We are not urged to use face masks!? Yes!
At the same time, our health authorities (Norwegian Institute of Public Health, NIPH) urge us not to condemn, ridicule or harass people who actually use a face mask. On the same note, they urge us not to condemn, ridicule or harass people that do not use face mask, during periods or locations where it is recommended or mandatory. Because there are several medical conditions where wearing a face mask is not ideal (to say the least).
If you want to read NIPHs public recommandations, you find a document in all langauges available here. Take note that these are regularly updated, and might contain new/other information on the time you read it.
If you want to read NIPHs public recommandations, you find a document in all langauges available here. Take note that these are regularly updated, and might contain new/other information on the time you read it.
I accessed the documents 2. of July, 2021, and on this day only the groups below where recommended to wear face masks (not mandatory). This means that the rest of the Norwegian population is not recommended to use face mask (and in media, some spokespersons of NIPH has gone as far as saying it is recommended not to wear face masks).
And remember, follow your local rules and guidelines! There are different guidelines for wearing face masks for a reason. For once, Norway is not really such a densely populated area.
- When people who are infected or have symptoms of Covid-19 need to interrupt their isolation to travel to and from the health institution or for testing.
- When people arrive in Norway by plane from “red” countries, the face mask from the flight should be kept on until they get to the place where the quarantine check is to be performed.
- When friends or relatives cannot maintain a distance of at least one metre from a person with suspected or diagnosed Covid-19 in need of care or attention.
Still, I have experienced that people are puzzled about the fact that we (Norwegians) are not recommended to use face masks. There is a good reason, actually. Here is face mask behavior that increases the risk of virus contamination:
- Moving face mask onto chin
- Moving face mask below nose
- Moving mask over forehead
- Crossing the elastics (makes you suck in and pump out virus behind the mask instead)
- Touching your face
- Having the mask halfway on
- Carry mask on your arm
- Taking mask off and put it on again
As I am quite certain of, if you have been outside of your house/apartment during the pandemic, you have witnessed people behaving like this. And, under the right circumstances (people are generally 1 meter apart, there are few people who carry the virus in the population), behavior like this might make it more risky to wear face masks, than leaving your mask at home.
Also, there are people who cannot use face mask of different medical conditions. There are very, very few of them, but imagine being one of those and keep getting those ugly looks or being told off. If you are one of those, who cannot understand how wearing a face mask is preventing people from breathing, you are probably not wearing your face mask correct (did you cross those elastics because the mask was too big, perhaps?) There is also sound psychological reasons not to wear a face mask:
“A significant proportion of rape survivors had their mouths or noses covered, or were choked or smothered, as part of the abuse and violence they experienced,” said Kate Russell, the national spokesperson for Rape Crisis England and Wales. “Covering their face and nose now can trigger flashbacks, panic attacks and severe anxiety.”Do you want to be one of the people face palming of these individuals not wearing a mask?
And remember, follow your local rules and guidelines! There are different guidelines for wearing face masks for a reason. For once, Norway is not really such a densely populated area.
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