The Balearic health minister, Manuela García, said on Thursday that she has asked the regional attorney's office to file an appeal against the Spanish health ministry's order that face masks are obligatory in health centres and hospitals.
The governments in the Balearics and the Basque Country are both seeking a suspension of a measure which, in García's opinion, is not justified.
On Wednesday, Spain's health ministry introduced the measure nationwide by instructing regional authorities to implement it during a period of what the ministry refers to as "coordinated actions" in dealing with the high incidence of respiratory virus cases - mainly flu.
The Balearic health minister argued on Thursday that the order "is not based on any technical criteria". "When you take epidemiological measures, you have to base them on a series of criteria. Wearing a mask is important and recommended, but to force it you have to give reasons."
The minister has criticised developments since an emergency meeting of the Interterritorial Council for the National Health System on Monday. That meeting was called without having previously convened the public health commission or the committee for health alerts and allowed those bodies to evaluate criteria and implement a protocol for measures to be adopted. In addition, García believes that there has been interference with regional competence for health affairs.
While the minister has taken exception to the order, medical associations and unions have welcomed it.
13 comments
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Charles Dalrymple-ChumleyHaving lived on this planet for 80 years without a mask, without sun cream, but with using common sense, I shall continue. FYI, I fly 10 times a year, daily visit pubs and restaurants, and generally mix with the "hoy paloy", and the only time I contacted covid was when by Spanish legal requirement required to wear a mask. If you do not want to catch these nasty bugs, then make certain your Vitamin D and K are up to scratch, I was surprised being in Mallorca that my vitamin D was down, so I commenced taking the tablets, it is surprising how well you feel after bringing your internal vitamins are up to scratch. The mask is as good a chocolate fire guard, however, please continue to wear, it is your right, but please do not dictate to others. Others have stated my views on the covid jab, so not necessary to comment.
Zoltan TeglasWell said. All my Doctor friends already wear masks voluntarily. I wonder what they know that we don't!
James WalkerThe problem is that like a lot of people who hate being advised for their own good, you criticise mask wearing but you don't offer a feasible alternative. You don't tell us what your idea/proposal is to stop the spread of infection. If you would do this we could be enlightened. Let's have it please (BTW, doing nothing isn't counted as a solution). Waiting.
The Balearic health minister Manuela García should be forced to work in a health centre with no mask then she might suddenly change her opinion. But no, she will be safe in her office somewhere, well away from the rick of infection. And it's interesting that the vast majority of doctors and nurses are all in favour of masks.
Charles Dalrymple-ChumleyCharles do you honestly think you are sane?? Wear you're mask then if your scared of droplets outside. Also factual knowledge, the chance of transmitting a virus outside are slim to none, thats why cold and flu tend to be a seasonal, in the winter months as people gather indoors. That's when you catch a cold. Charles do you put your mask on with your pyjamas and slippers and sleep with it on? Or do you have stocks and shares in a PPF company? Or are you just mad as a hatter?
@ tranq tranquer, you are entitled to you're opinion, as is everyone. The fact is mask have been proven on many occasions they did nothing to stop the spread of a virus, the particles of the virus are so small they go through any type of face mask. Lockdowns achieved nothing, social distancing achieved nothing and the biggest of all is the gene therapy achieved nothing. I call it a gene therapy because it's MRNA not a vaccine, most vaccines work to some degree. This political nonsense destroys people's trust in the institutions that at one time almost everybody trusted. But more and more people have woke up to the last 2/3 years of nonsense, nothing is based on science or health. It's political these crazy rash decisions usually come from the left side of the argument. The cult like woke side. Believe the narrative, if you don't think this way you're either far right or a granny killer or anti Vax it's a pathetic view point. If you want to carry on the COVID drama and be in the cult club then wear your mask and keep following the sheep with silly decisions that don't make sense really when you actually critically think. But leave others alone to make a choice. Socialist love the control, they would love a nanny state.
I was going to say what a ridiculous decision from the Balearic Health Minister and then I read the comments below and the split of fores and against. So can someone please tell me what is wrong with wearing masks in health centers ? This is not any where else, just health centers where sick people go. We are not talking inoculations here, so no conspiracies about putting microchips into great unwashed. Masks cover your nose and mouth and help to prevent you breathing nasty things in and also from breathing nasty things out. I would have thought it was the espousal of the bleedin obvious. If you don't want to wear a mask don't go to a health center - simples. As for politics James, and there is always someone, Vox apart from their stance on immigration which sooner or later the other parties will have to take note of, Vox are complete and total idiots who want us all living back in the 60's under some sort of dictator. Ban birth control, ban abortions, ban queers and long live Jesus Christ.
Brett DennisCorrect Brett. Currently in Palma people are walking about coughing and spluttering their expulsions. When you walk past these people you walk into their droplets which are hanging in the air. If the expulsions were black coloured you would see them and maybe attempt to avoid them but they're invisible and you cannot but help sucking them in. Then a few days later you develop a virus and wonder where you got it. The answer is - from everywhere! So by wearing a mask we all contain our expulsions and avoid showering others with them. It's common sense and good citizenship.
Nigel MaudePersonal attacks are only used by commentators when they have no other form of response. If you are against the use of face masks, give your reasons so we can see if they are of substance. For me and many others, the face mask has its case proven but even if you don't accept the science anyone can see that a filter/barrier to prevent person-to-person spread is nothing less than just a damn good idea.
Proof or no proof, I have definitely noticed much less flu and cold in our area when we were all wearing masks. As soon as the masks were no longer used, cases started again.