Politics

Government says 'no evidence' wearing face masks affects coronavirus spread


Brits should not start wearing face masks because there’s “no evidence” it will stop coronavirus, a medical chief has declared.

Deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said said the government’s clear advice is that it is not necessary despite an apparent surge in use of the masks.

The expert issued the strongest official advice yet on the popular protective wear, as worried Brits snap them up.  

“We do not recommend face masks for general wearing by the public” Mr Van-Tam said.

The White House is reportedly set to advise citizens in US hotspots to wear face masks, while the World Health Organisation is reviewing its guidance.

A woman wears a face mask on the London Underground

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam

But Downing Street today said there was no planned change in UK guidance

The professor explained that while the masks were popular among the public trying to avoid catching the virus, there was no evidence they prevent the spread of the virus among people who are well.

Prof Van-Tam said the practice seemed “wired into” some South East Asian cultures but there was no evidence it helped stop the spread of Covid-19.

He said: “There is no evidence that general wearing of face masks by the public who are well affects the spread of the disease in our society.

“What matters is social distancing.”

He added: “In terms of the hard evidence and what the UK Government recommends, we do not recommend face masks for general wearing by the public.”

Prof Van-Tam said: “This has been a controversial area in pandemic preparedness and planning for the 15 years that I’ve been involved in it.

Masks have become more frequently worn in the UK during the pandemic

“Indeed I was on the phone this morning to a colleague in Hong Kong who’s a professor there who’s done the evidence review for the World Health Organisation on face masks.

“We are of the same mind – that there is no evidence that general wearing of face masks by the public who are well affects the spread of the disease in our society. What matters right now of course is social distancing

“Yes it is true that we do see very large amounts of mask wearing, particularly in south east Asia, but we have always seen that for many decades and it is entirely wired into some cultures that masks are worn frequently.”

“In terms of the hard evidence and what the UK government recommends, we do not recommend face masks for general wearing by the public.”

It comes after Boris Johnson ’s official spokesman said earlier today: “I’m not aware of any plans to change our own guidance on the wearing of masks.

“Our advice remains you should wash your hands regularly for 20 second with soap and water and steps you should take in terms of catching any coughs or sneezes.”

Today new official figures recorded another dark day for UK, as the death toll increased to 3,605, with Britain suffering its deadliest day yet with 684 people dying from coronavirus in 24 hours.

A person wearing a full face mask in King’s Cross underground station in London

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Coronavirus outbreak

Health Secretary Matt Hancock hosted today’s daily digital coronavirus news conference at Downing Street.

He used it to order Brits to stay home as the weekend forecast brings sunshine, warning it’s not a request – “it’s an instruction”.

Mr Hancock said: “The disease is still spreading and we absolutely cannot afford to relax the social distancing measures we have in place.

“We cannot relax our discipline now. If we do, people will die.

“This advice is not a request. It is an instruction. Stay at home, protect lives, and then you will be doing your part.”

Official figures show 38,168 people around the UK have tested positive for Covid-19.





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