A couple wear facemasks as they walk near the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, central London on April 21, 2020, during the nationwide lockdown to combat the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The British parliament returns on Tuesday from an extended Easter break, allowing lawmakers to scrutinise ministers as criticism grows of government handling of the coronavirus crisis and deaths outside hospitals increase. / AFP / Isabel Infantes
The scientific advisory group on emergencies, known as Sage, meeting on Thursday to discuss the benefits of masks, is expected to tell ministers that medical grade masks and coverings should be reserved for health workers only.
The World Health Organization has said there is little evidence masks act as a barrier to infection. In some countries, such as the US, coverings have become compulsory for those going out in public. In Germany they must be worn on public transport.
Scientists are split on the efficacy of coverings in blocking the transmission of the illness.
Dr Jenny Harries, Englands deputy chief medical officer, is of the view that since the issue was still being debated "the evidence either isnt clear or is weak".
Asked on ITVs Good Morning Britain whether face coverings could have an effect on the London underground, she said it was possible there could be "a very, very small potential beneficial effect in some enclosed environments".
She continued: "But the evidence is really very, very difficult to tease out. It is not a simple yes or no, unfortunately."
Matt Hancock, has said it would be unlikely the government could provide free face masks to the public and the priority would remain giving medical masks to health staff.
Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme there was no research to support wearing a mask if you were fit and well, and it might well increase the risk of contracting the disease if people were constantly adjusting it and touching their face.
He said: "However, its common sense that if someone is coughing and spluttering then it makes complete sense to wear masks in order to protect other people and I think thats what this is about.
"I think the guidance were expecting to hear that people wearing a face mask is a voluntary activity, not mandated, makes sense and certainly makes a lot of sense to focus limited resources that we have at the moment on those who have [the] greatest need and thats the health professionals."
He said: "This sophisticated kit is likely to be more rigorous, more useful, but actually its perfectly reasonable to wear a bandanna around your mouth or whatever, that will work. It wont be quite as good but it will be good enough given the evidence youre not protecting yourself by wearing these masks unless you happen to be coughing and spluttering."
SOURCE: PRESS TV
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/16263
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