Covid-19: Brazil’s health minister says he is against mandatory mask use

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga on Wednesday said he is against the mandatory use of masks to contain the spread of coronavirus, but acknowledged the need to raise the population’s awareness to its importance as a preventive measure to Covid-19.

“First we are against the mandatory wearing of masks. Brazil is a country with many laws and people unfortunately don’t observe them,” the Minister said. “So, wearing the mask must be an act of awareness. It’s for everyone’s benefit. It’s each one’s commitment,” he argued.

Queiroga criticized the imposition of fines on people who do not wear a mask, as occurred with president Jair Bolsonaro, who has been fined in the past for attending events without the protection.

Bolsonaro often insists on not wearing a mask and has asked the Minister to prepare a study recommending that vaccinated people or people who have had the disease should not be required to wear masks, which has not yet been presented.

“There is no sense in these fines, you can’t create an industry of fines. Imagine, fining people because they are not wearing a mask,” Queiroga said.

“If we need to do this, then we are not being effective in raising the population’s awareness about the use of this personal protective equipment,” he added.

Since taking over the portfolio, the Minister has been trying to maintain a rhetoric that will not conflict with the president, but has been advocating the adoption of what he calls non-pharmacological measures, such as the use of masks, physical distancing, and hand hygiene.

He also endorses the president’s theory of tackling the pandemic by reconciling economy and health.

The Minister also stated that the Brazilian immunization campaign shows that 70% of the population over age 18 has been administered the first dose, while 30% have now completed the vaccination scheme.

According to Queiroga, the epidemiological scenario is “better controlled” and an economic reopening may now be considered.

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