PEOPLE LIVING IN Ireland do not have to wear masks as part of the effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 – but people in New York and the Czech Republic do.

So should we be wearing masks, or not? What does the science say? And are homemade cloth masks any use?

On this week’s episode of The Explainer, we take a look at the question of mask-wearing. Reporter Dominic McGrath sets the scene, explaining about which countries or cities are enforcing rules around mask-wearing, and how in some parts of the world mask-wearing is not uncommon.

He outlines the current WHO and ECDC guidance, and what the state of play is in Ireland.

Then Trinity College Dublin virologist Dr Kim Roberts, a previous guest on the podcast, fills us in on what the science tells us about masks and whether they can prevent the spread (or contraction) of Covid-19.
https://soundcloud.com/the-explainer-podcast/what-is-the-current-thinking-in-ireland-and-abroad-about-wearing-masks

This episode was put together by presenter and producer Aoife Barry, assistant producer and technical operator Nicky Ryan, and executive producer Christine Bohan. Guests were Dr Kim Roberts and reporter Dominic McGrath. Design by Palash Somani.