Not wearing mask like ‘manslaughter’
AN infectious disease specialist has described not wearing a face mask. and then passing Covid19 onto someone who subsequently dies as manslaughter.
Dr Jack Lambert, Consultant in Infectious Diseases at the Mater Hospital, said communicating the importance of masks should be a ‘critical first step’ in the Government’s coronavirus response.
Speaking to Newstalk, Dr Lambert said our enforcement around the wearing of masks needs to be stronger, adding that he ‘shakes his head’ when he sees people not wearing them in public spaces.
‘I go into the restaurants or hotels... I’m getting served by someone who has their mask around their chin. That’s not protecting me or them from the spread of Covid from their mouth or their nose.
‘I think it’s shameful the lack of seriousness that some people are taking towards this, and also the lack of guidance we’re getting and the lack of enforcement. We know what to do – we’re not doing it and, as a consequence, we’re facing lockdown,’ he said.
Dr Lambert went as far as saying that a death as a result of not wearing a mask is ‘manslaughter’.
‘Even as of yesterday people aren’t wearing masks, when there’s big signs outside that it’s a legal requirement that you must wear a mask going into a premise. My opinion is if you know that, and you infect somebody as a result of not wearing a mask and kill them... that’s manslaughter.’
The wearing of masks is mandatory on public transport and in indoor areas and shops. There are exceptions for those aged under 13, and those who can’t wear one for medical reasons.