National: POLL: Should we start wearing masks again?

The HSE's national clinical lead in emergency medicine has said an increase on mask wearing is needed if we are to curb the current rise in covid cases.

A sharp increase in people presenting with covid and the flu has seen mounting pressure on emergency departments and available hospital bed spaces across the country.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland, Dr Gerry McCarthy said "Would I like to see mandatory mask-wearing? I think, personally, yeah. I think we should be increasing the wearing of masks at the moment."

Dr McCarthy went on to say there had been an increase of 77% in covid cases week on week from last week and a 92% increase in flu cases but warned the peak has not yet been reached.

"My understanding from the public health colleagues and others who do these projections is we haven't quite hit the peak yet, but it will come in the next week or two", Dr McCarthy added.

"If a person comes to a hospital with any suggestion of respiratory illness and they're not already wearing a mask, they will certainly be provided with one and all staff dealing with them will be masked up."

As cases surge, do you think we should start wearing protective masks again? Have your say in our poll above.