News Beat
Should We Be Wearing Face Masks Again? Experts Say Yes
The NHS is facing an “unprecedented wave” of flu cases with an average of 2,660 patients a day in hospital with flu in England last week – a huge increase of 55% compared to the week before.
While having the flu is never pleasant, this particular wave is a rough one, which is why some health experts are now recommending for people to wear face masks once again.
Speaking to Times Radio this week, Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, said the country was facing a “very nasty strain of flu” and went as far as suggesting that face coverings should be worn on public transport, as we did during the Covid pandemic.
He said: “When you were talking about anything like Covid, I think we need to get back into the habit that if you are coughing and sneezing, but you’re not unwell enough to not go to work, then you must wear a mask when you’re in public spaces, including on public transport, to stop the chances of you giving your virus to somebody else.”
He added: “We were all very good about infection control during Covid. And we really, really need to get back to that now.”
Meanwhile Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, urged people with flu-like symptoms such as a high temperature, cough or feeling tired and achy to limit contact with others, wash hands regularly, keep indoor spaces well-ventilated and “if you need to go out while unwell, consider wearing a face mask”.
The charity Asthma + Lung UK is also urging people with lung conditions to consider wearing a face mask in crowded or indoor spaces to reduce their chance of catching the virus.
Why might people want to wear a face mask?
Speaking with HuffPost UK, Professor Trisha Greenhalgh, professor of primary health care at the University of Oxford, said as new strains of flu start to spread, there are two reasons why people might want to wear a mask.
“One is ’source control’: if you already have symptoms, wear a mask to protect your family from catching your germs. Does this work? Yes, but only if you start to mask as soon as you feel unwell,” she explained.
“This is because maximum viral shedding occurs just before and soon after your symptoms begin. If you wait more than 36 hours, you’ll be too late. You need to mask at all times when indoors(so you’ll have to take your meals separately from the rest of the family and sleep in a different room).”
She added: “The other reason to wear a mask is ‘wearer protection’: to stop yourself becoming infected. Does this work? Again yes, IF you wear a high-filtration, close fitting mask at all times when in high-risk settings (indoors, under-ventilated, crowded and where there are likely to be infected people).
“Better still, avoid those settings altogether when there’s a lot of flu or Covid around.”
What are the best masks to wear and where should you wear them?
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recommends “wearing a well-fitting face covering made with multiple layers or a surgical face mask” to reduce the risk of passing on infection to others.
If you are unwell, Dr Suzanna McDonald, who is the national lead for the influenza programme at the UK Health Security Agency, recommends staying home where possible.
If you do need to go out, McDonald advises sticking to outdoor spaces or ensuring indoor spaces are well-ventilated (by opening windows, for instance).
“Covering your coughs or sneezes with a tissue – and washing your hands after – are must-dos,” she added.
McDonald also said if you’re considering getting a flu jab, there are no national shortages of vaccine stock.
To get a flu vaccine, the NHS website has a ‘find a pharmacy’ page which directs you to pharmacies offering walk-in appointments or you can book an appointment directly through the NHS website.
Why do some people say masks don’t work?
Prof Greenhalgh explained that some people might “fail to take account of the nuances in the research”.
“Of course, masks won’t work if they’re not worn,” she explained. “Research studies in which people were advised to wear masks but didn’t actually wear them (or didn’t wear them all the time when indoors) tended to show tiny or no effects.
“Studies in which people masked properly, continuously and with high-quality (respirator) type masks have consistently shown a substantial protective effect.”
