SAMANTHA WALLACE,

• Author: AGI ORFANOS, WEST BEACH Traffic on the R27 is unacceptable. We spend over 35 days a year in standstill traffic - it’s ludicrous! It’s not constructive and causes pollution as fuel is burnt aimlessly.
• Published date: 02 February 2022
• Publication title: Tabletalk

CENTURY CITY

As a responsible, considerate resident of Century City, I am pleased to see that many of my fellow neighbours are joining me in removing our masks, while using the canal walkways.

Although I am perfectly happy to continue pulling up my mask whenever someone approaches me, I don’t always know whether they would like me to, or if they are just pulling on theirs because they see me doing it.

Frankly, I believe we should all be joining the protest to end the mandate to wear these restrictive barriers outdoors, as they are neither fully protecting us from catching or spreading the virus. Research has also shown that wearing a mask for long periods of time, especially while exercising, is equally as detrimental to your health.

Because the coronavirus is airborne only when a symptomatic person coughs or

sneezes in your space, it is completely unnecessary to wear a mask while out in the open air.

Maintaining your social distance from those whose symptoms or health status is unknown is perfectly sufficient in keeping you safe and protected.

Furthermore, it has apparently been proven that non-symptomatic people cannot transmit the virus, so technically a mask is only required when symptoms are present.

In fact, masks protect others from your symptoms, more than they protect you from theirs.

So, as I continue taking my dog for her daily walks, I will breathe deeply and enjoy the fresh air, and will keep my distance from you as much as possible.

So please don’t feel pressured to wear your mask.

And if I happen to come across a friend who may need a hug, I will ask and decide then if a mask is necessary or not.

• Shimoney Regter, communications officer for the provincial Department of Health, responds:

Western Cape Government Health urges all residents to continue observing basic health protocols to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. This includes mask wearing.

The wearing of masks in public places is still mandatory in South Africa, and failure to wear a mask when required remains a criminal offence, under Adjusted Alert Level 1 COVID-19 regulations.

This, however, does not apply to people who undertake vigorous exercise in a public space, provided that the person maintains a distance of one and a half metres from others.

We appeal to all residents to always wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth when in public and visiting a healthcare facility or any other public space.

Businesses are also reminded to have visible signage at their facilities...