While the fear of a second epidemic wave grows, the government is not closing the door to a possible compulsory wearing of a mask in companies. An idea welcomed by some infectious disease specialists, who point to transmission of the virus in the air. But employees are not necessarily delighted.

Should it be compulsory to wear a mask in business? In any case, this is one of the avenues considered by the government to avoid an increase in circulation of the coronavirus. "I say it with a form of gravity: if we do not react collectively, we expose ourselves to a high risk of epidemic resumption which will be difficult to control," Prime Minister Jean Castex warned on Tuesday during a trip to the CHU in Montpellier. Several infectious disease specialists are also in favor of the measure, but the head of government specified that this issue should be discussed with all social partners. 

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Jean Castex evokes the idea of ​​"generalizing as much as possible the wearing of the mask in the workplace" when this is not "contrary to the desired effect" pic.twitter.com/FQMKjuTYKy

- BFMTV (@BFMTV) August 11, 2020

Sectors are already applying the measure

While certain sectors, such as catering, transport or the agro-food industry, have already taken the lead, French companies that do not require their employees to wear the mask are in the majority. However, we know that the virus is transmitted via aerosols, in the air, because of "micro-particles which are able to diffuse the coronavirus much further [than the meter away]", explains at the microphone of Europe 1 Anne-Claude Crémieux, professor of infectious diseases at the Parisian Saint-Louis hospital. 

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A dangerous virus in a closed environment

"And it is this ability of Covid-19 to 'aerosolize' that explains why it is dangerous in a closed environment: it is capable of causing a significant number of infections, even if people are more than one meter from each other, "continues the doctor. Concretely, if you are sitting at your workstation without a mask, and one of your colleagues four meters from you is infected, he can transmit the virus to you, which can remain in the air for a certain time. This is also one of the fears of the health authorities: that the cases of coronavirus are multiplying when a large number of employees will soon be returning from vacation.

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"You might as well be at home"

But the idea of ​​wearing a mask from morning to night, including in the office, does not necessarily delight employees. This is particularly the case with Julien, who has already planned to favor telework if the measure passes. "All day at the office, honestly, behind your computer with a mask ... You might as well be at home," he explains at the microphone of Europe 1. But for that, teleworking still has to be possible and authorized.

When in doubt, Sylvie has already made a point. "It seems like a good idea to me since there is an unknown concerning this disease so, [...] I think we absolutely have to protect ourselves and the others." And even if this measure will have a cost, some, like Adrien, are ready to "put euros for the masks": "The most important thing is health!"