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Coronavirus: Should we all be wearing masks now? Coronavirus: Should we all be wearing masks now?
(3 days later)
Face masks, gloves and other protective gear can help stop the spread of coronavirus, in the right circumstances. Face masks can help stop the spread of coronavirus, in the right circumstances.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan says wearing masks in the city should be compulsory and is calling for the government to change its advice. But with disagreement over whether they should be worn by members of the public, what is the evidence about how useful they are?
But what is the evidence to show that this is necessary?
Why doesn't everyone wear a mask now?Why doesn't everyone wear a mask now?
The World Health Organization (WHO) says only two groups of people should wear protective masks, those who are:The World Health Organization (WHO) 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 recommended for the general public because:Masks are not recommended for the general public because:
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.
How might things change?How might things change?
People in the UK have heard some politicians suggest that masks should be worn, but scientists saying they are not necessary. The UK government is not currently advising most people to wear masks. However, its chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance has a review is ongoing.
The government is not currently advising most people to wear masks. However, the UK's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said a review is ongoing. At the weekend, a group of more than 100 doctors wrote an open letter to The Times saying they were "alarmed at official inaction over the need for the public to wear homemade face masks", which could be made by volunteer groups.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan wants people to wear masks outside when social distancing is not possible. He said this would reduce the chances of passing on the virus. They said it was "illogical" to advise people to wear masks if they are showing symptoms, but not if they appear symptom-free.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the government would only change its guidance if the scientific advice altered. London Mayor Sadiq Khan is among those who want people to wear masks outside when social distancing is not possible. He said this would reduce the chances of passing on the virus.
Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) special envoy Dr David Nabarro believes that in society, "some form of facial protection is going to become the norm". The WHO has not changed its advice, but its special envoy Dr David Nabarro believes that in society, "some form of facial protection is going to become the norm".
However, he warned: "Don't imagine that you can do what you like when you are wearing a mask. [It] doesn't give you the excuse to disregard social distancing." Where am I supposed to get a face mask?
Do homemade face masks work? Plenty of websites are selling medical face masks online, despite the official guidance that these should be reserved for healthcare workers.
While there is lots of advice on how to make face masks online, they are not regulated, whereas officially-made ones have to meet safety requirements. Many High Street pharmacies do not appear to have any stocks of masks.
Reusable cloth masks are not recommended and may even increase the chance of infection, say European advisers. What about homemade face masks?
They say there is a high chance virus particles could go through cloth, or that problems with moisture could make the cloth retain the virus. There is lots of advice on how to make face masks online.
However, Americans have been advised to wear "cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (eg: grocery stores and pharmacies)". Suggestions include using common household items, such as cotton fabric from old T-shirts or bedding.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which says that social distancing is key to slowing the virus's spread, says the coverings can be made from "household items" or "common materials at low cost". However, homemade masks are not regulated, whereas officially-made ones have to meet safety requirements.
In Europe, it has been recommended that masks are worn in shops and on public transport in Germany, while in countries including the Czech Republic and Slovakia, they are compulsory. And European advisers do not recommend reusable cloth masks, as they say they may even increase the chance of infection.
What do I need to know about the coronavirus?What do I need to know about the coronavirus?
What are other countries doing?
Rules on face masks have been introduced in a number of countries, for example:
What is the best type of mask?What is the best type of mask?
In hospitals, different types of mask offer different grades of protection.In hospitals, different types of mask offer different grades of protection.
The most protective is an FFP3 or, alternatively, an N95 or an FFP2.The most protective is an FFP3 or, alternatively, an N95 or an FFP2.
Experts do not recommend the public use these masks. They are for healthcare workers in close contact with coronavirus patients and at highest risk of encountering infected airborne droplets. Experts do not recommend the public use these masks, which are for healthcare workers in close contact with coronavirus patients.
Other NHS staff in lower-risk situations can wear a surgical mask, latest guidelines say. That means healthcare workers within one metre of a patient with possible or confirmed Covid-19, and it includes staff working in hospitals, primary care, ambulance trusts, community care settings and care homes.Other NHS staff in lower-risk situations can wear a surgical mask, latest guidelines say. That means healthcare workers within one metre of a patient with possible or confirmed Covid-19, and it includes staff working in hospitals, primary care, ambulance trusts, community care settings and care homes.
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: 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.