Monitoring,or success metrics, used in mask mandates
Al made this Official Information request to Ministry of Health
The request was partially successful.
From: Al
Hi everyone,
An August 2022 health briefing was summarised as saying:
“Modelling provided after the PHRA suggests that removing mask mandates and quarantine requirements for household contacts at the same time could increase infections and hospitalisations by 50-55 percent in the short-term, compared with only a 22-25 percent increase if household quarantine were removed and mask mandates were maintained.”
- Does any information or commentary or discussion exist that shows what was the result of the removal of mask mandates shortly after this briefing outside of health care facilities - did it show that infections and hospitalisations rose?
- Also for across the 2022 year, what metrics were in use to monitor how mask mandates were successfully slowing the spread within New Zealand (they were regularly reviewed prior to being dropped so what was being collected to ensure they were working is my key query).
Thank you for your help,
Al
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From: OIA Requests
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Kia ora Al,
Please find attached a response to your request for information.
Ngā mihi
OIA Services Team
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From: Information [DPMC]
[IN-CONFIDENCE]
Kia ora,
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA)
transferred from the Ministry of Health on 27 February 2023. You
requested:
“An August 2022 health briefing was summarised as saying: “Modelling
provided after the PHRA suggests that removing mask mandates and
quarantine requirements for household contacts at the same time could
increase infections and hospitalisations by 50-55 percent in the
short-term, compared with only a 22-25 percent increase if household
quarantine were removed and mask mandates were maintained.” Does any
information or commentary or discussion exist that shows what was the
result of the removal of mask mandates shortly after this briefing outside
of health care facilities - did it show that infections and
hospitalisations rose? Also for across the 2022 year, what metrics were in
use to monitor how mask mandates were successfully slowing the spread
within New Zealand (they were regularly reviewed prior to being dropped so
what was being collected to ensure they were working is my key query).”
Your request will be managed by the Ministerial Services Team within DPMC.
If you have any queries, please feel free to contact us at
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details, will be removed.
Ngâ mihi,
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From: Information [DPMC]
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Kia Ora,
The Ministry of Health has partially transferred two recent OIA to the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) to respond.
To enable us to process these requests can you please clarify if your
request of 16 February should include or exclude modelling?
FYI DPMC has interpreted your request dated 7 February to exclude
modelling.
Kind regards,
Ministerial Services
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From: Al
Dear Information [DPMC],
Thank you for the query and yes, you got it right, my request is asking for actuals not modelling.
I hope this helps clarify the request.
Yours sincerely,
Al
From: Information [DPMC]
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From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Al,
Thank you for your request for official information received on 16
February 2023 for information regarding mask mandates. You requested:
“An August 2022 health briefing was summarised as saying:
“Modelling provided after the PHRA suggests that removing mask mandates
and quarantine requirements for household contacts at the same time could
increase infections and hospitalisations by 50-55 percent in the
short-term, compared with only a 22-25 percent increase if household
quarantine were removed and mask mandates were maintained.”
- Does any information or commentary or discussion exist that shows what
was the result of the removal of mask mandates shortly after this briefing
outside of health care facilities - did it show that infections and
hospitalisations rose?
- Also for across the 2022 year, what metrics were in use to monitor how
mask mandates were successfully slowing the spread within New Zealand
(they were regularly reviewed prior to being dropped so what was being
collected to ensure they were working is my key query).”
On 27 February 2023, you were contacted Manatû Hauora (the Ministry of
Health) and advised that your request was partially transferred to the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) as the information you
seek is more closely connected with the functions of DPMC under section
14(b)(i) of the Official Information Act 1982. Upon further consultation
with DPMC, the Ministry has now decided to refer you DPMC's response.
Manatû Hauora apologises for any confusion caused. You can now expect a
response from DPMC in due course.
Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the Ombudsman
to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [email address] or by calling 0800 802
602.
Ngâ mihi
OIA Services Team
Manatû Hauora | Ministry of Health
M[1]inistry of Health information releases
U[2]nite against COVID-19
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Statement of confidentiality: This e-mail message and any accompanying
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Al left an annotation ()
I've received a response directly to my listed email that DPMC had - i'm not sure how to upload that response here......
Things to do with this request
- Add an annotation (to help the requester or others)
- Download a zip file of all correspondence
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Al left an annotation ()
This request almost asked something similar but had no response on that aspect:
https://fyi.org.nz/request/20007-scienti...
It did get a response on the evidence request and the response relied on the 2020 Norway and Irish rapid reviews which I’ve seen relied on in other responses too…and interestingly the letter stated the review made conclusions that they did not (alongside the fact they were largely reviewing observational studies which are trash to hinge a public wide public health intervention on years after it began).
Link to this