Due to the 2nd wave of the corona outbreak in the Netherlands, discussion concerning measures that oblige people to wear face masks on the streets, in stores and in public locations has intensified. While the Dutch government has always stated that it is not a proponent of obligating the wearing of face masks – it does not believe that it has a significant effect – it recently changed its statements due to increasing media pressure (Brussels Times, 2020).
On the 28th of September, the Dutch government advised people to wear a mask in stores and public locations in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, the Hague and Eindhoven. One day later, this advice was applied to the whole of the Netherlands except for high schools. Yet, one day later, high schools were included in the advice (RTL Nieuws, 2020). While the governments of many European countries have already introduced mandatory mask rules, in the Netherlands it remains only an advice (Rijksoverheid, 2020).
Evidently, the Dutch government is struggling with the question if to make face masks obligatory nationwide, but what makes the Dutch government so hesitant regarding this issue?
Besides that the RIVM (the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and Environment) does not believe that a nationwide mask obligation would have a significant effect on the number of Covid-19 cases, rumours go around that the organization is worried that introducing such a measure would increase the risk of moral hazard. In this case, moral hazard would take place due to a false sense of safety. People wearing a face mask assume that they are protected from Covid-19 and therefore eliminate the need for other measures, such as social distancing. In other words, when people believe that wearing a mask allows them to be closer to each other in a store or public location, they are guilty of moral hazard. As a result, other measures to decrease the spread of the virus are not or less lived by which would possibly result in more Covid-19 cases.
Nevertheless, up until today, there has been no evidence suggesting that a face mask obligation would increase the risk of moral hazard by people wearing a mask. On the contrary, recent research has suggested that mask protection actually promotes physical distancing (Washington Post, 2020). Moreover, a survey held on mask wearing behaviour and beliefs in July 2020, suggests that the respondents do not believe that wearing a face mask eliminates the need for other measures against the spread of Covid-19 (Financial Post, 2020).
In my opinion, although I don’t like face masks, the Dutch government should introduce measures concerning a nationwide face mask obligation as soon as possible. Besides that, there is no evidence that such a measure would increase moral hazard by mask wearers, I think that a mask obligation would make people more aware of the fact that the virus is still among us and thus can act as a reminder to keep sufficient distance. In addition, it is proven that face masks help (although not very good) against the spreading of the virus. If the introduction of a face mask obligation can even slightly help with preventing a new lockdown, then so be it. What do you think?
References
Brussels Times. (2020). The Netherlands considers nationwide face mask obligation. Retrieved from:
https://www.brusselstimes.com/news/world-all-news/133472/the-netherlands-considers-nationwide-face-mask-obligation/ [Accessed 5 October 2020].
Financial Post. (2020). Opinion: the moral hazard of public health measures. Retrieved from: https://financialpost.com/opinion/opinion-the-moral-hazard-of-public-health-measures [Accessed 5 October 2020].
Rijksoverheid. (2020). Dringend advies tot dragen van mondkapjes. Retrieved from: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2020/10/02/dringend-advies-tot-dragen-van-mondkapjes [Accessed 5 October 2020].
RTL Nieuws. (2020). Dringend advies: per direct in het hele land mondkapjes in openbare binnenruimtes. Retrieved from: https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/politiek/artikel/5187225/het-dragen-van-mondkapjes-openbare-ruimten-wordt-een-landelijk [Accessed 5 October 2020].
Washington Post. (2020). How do masks change human behavior? An Italian scientist who has studied cow sociability decided to find out. Retrieved from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/06/05/masks-benefits-study-italy/ [Accessed 5 October 2020].
Hi Yara,
Very interesting blog post! People have many different opinions whether face masks help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 or not. Some experts say it does help, and some others do not agree with this statement. I am not a virologist, so I do not know which statement is correct, but I do believe that wearing a face mask raises awareness. If you see other people wear face masks, you are constantly reminded of the virus and that you should keep distance. Before the announcement of the Dutch government I had the feeling that nobody in the supermarket or the market keeps distance to each other, whereas now more and more people keep their distance and wear masks. What I find weird, however, is that the government only “recommends” to wear face masks. Today I was on campus and there are signs that it is recommended to wear a face mask. Is that really effective? In my opinion it should be compulsory in such places to wear a face mask in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Thanks for the interesting read!