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Coronavirus: Should the public wear face masks? Coronavirus: Who should wear a face mask or face covering?
(12 days later)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said face coverings worn by the general public "will be useful" as the UK comes out of the current lockdown. For the first time, people in England are being advised to wear face coverings in some enclosed spaces.
The Scottish government already recommends people use face coverings when in shops and on public transport. The Scottish government already recommends people wear them when in shops and on public transport.
What is the new advice?
The government for England says:
People do not need to wear face coverings where they are:
Advice in Wales has not changed and face coverings have not yet been recommended for the general public. People in Northern Ireland have been told to consider wearing face coverings if they are in places where they cannot social distance.
Why doesn't everyone wear a mask now?Why doesn't everyone wear a mask now?
The advice talks about face coverings, rather than masks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) currently says only two groups of people should wear protective masks, those who are:The World Health Organization (WHO) currently says only two groups of people should wear protective masks, those who are:
It says medical masks should be reserved for healthcare workers.It says medical masks should be reserved for healthcare workers.
Masks are not generally recommended for the public because:Masks are not generally recommended for the public because:
But that doesn't mean they have no benefit at all for the general public - it's just that the scientific evidence is weak.But that doesn't mean they have no benefit at all for the general public - it's just that the scientific evidence is weak.
The WHO says countries must weigh the risks and benefits when it comes to advising the whole populations about wearing face coverings. Homemade cloth face-coverings can help reduce the risk of transmission in some circumstances - they might help stop the spread of coronavirus by people who are contagious but have no symptoms (known as asymptomatic transmission).
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control agrees that medical face masks should be prioritised for healthcare workers.
But it says non-surgical face masks might help stop the spread of coronavirus by people who are contagious but have no symptoms (known as asymptomatic transmission).
Scientists in Singapore suggest that risk is especially high in the 24-48 hours before an infected person is even aware they might have the disease.Scientists in Singapore suggest that risk is especially high in the 24-48 hours before an infected person is even aware they might have the disease.
Coronavirus is spread by droplets that can spray into the air when those infected talk, cough and sneeze. These can enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth, either directly or after touching a contaminated object.Coronavirus is spread by droplets that can spray into the air when those infected talk, cough and sneeze. These can enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth, either directly or after touching a contaminated object.
What is the UK advice on face masks?
The Scottish government's updated guidance is not compulsory and suggests people use cloth coverings, such as a scarf, rather than "medical grade face masks". Face coverings should not be used for children under the age of two years, according to the guidance.
Advice for England, Wales and Northern Ireland has not changed and masks have not been recommended.
UK government ministers have previously raised concerns about the evidence and whether the move might result in shortages of medical face masks for the NHS.
On 18 April, more than 100 doctors wrote a letter to The Times saying they were "alarmed at official inaction over the need for the public to wear homemade face masks".
And London Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged people to use non-medical face coverings, such as a scarf or bandana, when social distancing is not possible.
On 30 April, during the government's daily coronavirus press briefing, Mr Johnson said face covering would give people confidence that they can go back to work once the current lockdown measures are eased.
What face masks are used by health workers?What face masks are used by health workers?
The widespread use of face masks by the public could put NHS supplies at risk, says Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers. The most protective mask is an FFP3 or, alternatively, an N95 or an FFP2.
In hospitals, different types of mask offer different grades of protection. The most protective is an FFP3 or, alternatively, an N95 or an FFP2.
NHS staff in lower-risk situations can wear a surgical mask. This includes healthcare workers within one metre of a patient with possible or confirmed Covid-19. These staff may be in hospitals, primary care, ambulance trusts, community care settings and care homes.NHS staff in lower-risk situations can wear a surgical mask. This includes healthcare workers within one metre of a patient with possible or confirmed Covid-19. These staff may be in hospitals, primary care, ambulance trusts, community care settings and care homes.
Where am I supposed to get a mask? Where am I supposed to get a face covering?
Some masks are still available online, but it can be difficult to know how safe they are and prices are often high. There is lots of advice online about how to make them.
Masks are out of stock in many High Street pharmacies as are those used for home improvements in many DIY stores.
And Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said that, unlike in France, the government cannot promise free masks for the general public if required. "It would be an extraordinary undertaking," he said.
What about homemade face masks?
If wearing homemade masks is recommended, there is lots of advice online about how to make them.
Suggestions include using common household items, such as cotton fabric from old T-shirts or bedding.Suggestions include using common household items, such as cotton fabric from old T-shirts or bedding.
However, homemade masks are not regulated, whereas officially made ones have to meet safety requirements. The government has published advice on how to wear and make your own cloth face covering which says:
Reusable cloth masks are not recommended and may even increase the chance of infection, European advisers say.
This is because there is a high chance virus particles could go through cloth and moisture in it could retain the virus.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has a tutorial on how to make your own mask, says cloth face coverings should:
What do I need to know about the coronavirus?What do I need to know about the coronavirus?
What is happening in other countries?
Other countries have brought in different rules around the wearing of face masks.
They are to become compulsory on public transport in Germany, and in supermarkets and pharmacies in Austria.
Residents in Lombardy in Italy must cover their nose and mouth when outside and the French government plans to give out masks to the general public.
Air passengers in Canada must wear a non-medical mask or a face covering, and in the USA, people are advised to wear "cloth face coverings" in supermarkets and pharmacies.
What else can protect against coronavirus?What else can protect against coronavirus?
Gloves and other protective wear are recommended for NHS staff working in places where they could encounter coronavirus.Gloves and other protective wear are recommended for NHS staff working in places where they could encounter coronavirus.
Again, staff in the highest-risk scenarios are advised to wear fuller protection, rather than a simple apron, gloves, mask and goggles.Again, staff in the highest-risk scenarios are advised to wear fuller protection, rather than a simple apron, gloves, mask and goggles.
The general public are not advised to wear gloves or any other protective gear.The general public are not advised to wear gloves or any other protective gear.
To protect yourself from coronavirus, the NHS recommends regular and through hand washing, covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and not touching your face with unwashed hands.To protect yourself from coronavirus, the NHS recommends regular and through hand washing, covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and not touching your face with unwashed hands.