en 
"As for becoming mandatory, I will wait for the parliament's deliberation. I did not see the question of unconstitutionality being raised. In fact, several democratic countries with constitutions as democratic as ours have experienced this mandatory wearing of a mask" said Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa added: "Perhaps it is time for us not to wait for three thousand or four thousand [new cases of daily infection] so that at the time we are discussing again whether it should be a recommendation or an obligation".
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Rather than throwing away our civil liberties and democracy because 'other countries are doing it', present the hard evidence that muzzles reduce infections.
There many studies which show masks to be ineffective or worse.
2020. The year science died.
By Miquel from Lisbon on 18 Oct 2020, 22:48
I do not believe in masks ..I get short of breath .. never this nonsense was done before .. this President does and says what he's told .I curse the day I gave him my vote
By maria from Algarve on 18 Oct 2020, 23:01
Wow....so, if they all jumped off a cliff you'd recommend we do the same?!
Democracy is being destroyed in other countries.
You (the president) have been bought, another 1 bites the dust.
How about you produce the science behind these predictions......of course, we know it doesn't exist so you can't.
You are a hypocrite to honour Republic Day when you are destroying the very thing your people fought for.
If you think as the president you'll be safe under the 'new normal', think again.....you're just a puppet that will be cast aside at will, like the rest of us.
By Sarah L from Other on 19 Oct 2020, 08:26
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is a sensible man, unlike the idiots in the opposition parties and Amnesty International who are against the mandatory wearing of masks. Amnesty should be reminded that by not wearing masks my human rights are being abused!
By Greg from Other on 19 Oct 2020, 09:04
The fascists here are having a field day. Thanks to the virus and with the help of the likes of this useless president who's nothing but a clown and a puppet, they are trying to go back to the good old days of the dictatorship that was in place here for many decades. Anyway, what do they know about democracy? The ancient Greeks would be rolling in their graves if they knew what the version the portuguese have in place here, and how does the clown dare to talk about democracy when he doesn't know what it signifies. Please Marcelo educate yourself on the subject or keep your big mouth shut, you are supposed to be impartial after all!
By Tony Reis from Other on 19 Oct 2020, 09:07
Time to redefine DEMOCRACY.
By Tine from Algarve on 19 Oct 2020, 12:49
There is no masks, no restrictions, no lock downs, no gov spy covid 19 apps in Sweden and no virus is seen here. There is a reason why Sweden government refuse this madness, I can tell it straight out - Stefan Löfven and Anders Tegnell know that this is a common flu blown up to maniac levels and abused by certain governments to impose control and spread fear among the population.
I know many people in Portugal some have stores and never seen any flu sick people and where are all of the thousands so called cases?
Shall the gov buy new modern phones to everyone, and also pay phone costs, not all people have internet in their phones, people must vote for right wing conservative partys and start to think, the gov can see where you are and which person you are with if internet and bluetooth is active and the spy app installed,this have nothing to do with any flu and must be stopped.
Stop using FB, Twitter and smart phones it is devices made for survelliance.
By Magnus from Other on 19 Oct 2020, 13:53
Tony Reis. Regardless of whether you think that the mask should be used outdoors or not (I do not think it should be compulsory!), it is important to respect different people's opinions. It is obvious that you can not stand that other people have a different opinion than you.
You use derogatory words (fascist, clown, etc.), words that you yourself obviously do not understand the meaning of.
If you have a different opinion. Then write arguments instead of derogatory words.
By Lars Bohlin from Lisbon on 19 Oct 2020, 14:37
Well, here is a link to one scientific study that claims to prove masks work. From University of San Francisco, the USA, of all places. Rubbish?
https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/06/417906/still-confused-about-masks-heres-science-behind-how-face-masks-prevent#:
By Annie from Algarve on 19 Oct 2020, 15:46
Donald Trump says he may have to leave the US and move to another country if he loses to Biden. He's the president you're looking for; we know his stance on masks and shutdowns.
By William from Other on 19 Oct 2020, 17:22
Go back to your puppet master and stay there !
We are done with your b****it !
By Kiko from Algarve on 19 Oct 2020, 17:28
Masks are junk science. This madness must stop. If people want to wear them let them, let everyone else make their own choices. Masks do not stop Covid-19, neither to lockdowns. Protect the vulnerable and let everyone else live their lives.
By Jordan Gross from Lisbon on 20 Oct 2020, 06:41
Interesting. For those who do not wish to wear a mask to protect me from them then, I guess u won’t mind if I smoke near you correct?
By Marie from Lisbon on 20 Oct 2020, 09:12
For people who wish to read a wide range of peer reviewed mask studies for themselves - please use the following links :
https://archive.is/z1Yi8
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4420971/
Also please note how a recent RCT on masks conducted in Denmark is finding difficulty in publishing their results. You can draw you own conclusions why that might be:
https://twitter.com/AlexBerenson/status/1317875526997102594
By Miquel from Lisbon on 20 Oct 2020, 09:50
My right to breathe freely is a fundamental human right. The government does not have the right to compromise my human rights on the basis of controversial unproven science!
By Freddy Alexander from Porto on 20 Oct 2020, 11:18
Marie - no I wouldn't mind if you smoked near me, that is your choice and I would then have the choice to stay or leave.
We haven't been given a choice here, that's the difference.
If you think masks work then it is irrelevant if those around you wear 1 or not - in your mind you are protected by wearing 1.
I have 2 small children who are being psychologically damaged by these masked faces so their exposure to them is kept to a minimum I.e. we don't go out much. It is a proven fact, children need to see faces to develop, how are the next generation going to fare? Not great if this farce continues.
By Sarah L from Other on 20 Oct 2020, 17:54