The government’s top scientists have promised to wear masks under certain circumstances, because Boris Johnson stated that they will be volunteers from July 19 United Kingdom
Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer of England, said that he would “wear a mask in three situations, and I will do this, especially when the epidemic is obvious and on the rise”.
He told a Downing Street Briefing: “First of all, in any situation indoors and crowded, or in close proximity to other people indoors.”
He said that if any “competent authority” makes a request, he will do the same. Third, if other people feel uncomfortable, it is “general courtesy”.
Sir Patrick Valance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, said: “I’m exactly the same in wearing a mask.”
It as Prime Minister He stated at the briefing that out of courtesy, he would wear a mask in crowded places, but emphasized that in situations such as sitting alone in a train carriage, “people should have the right to exercise some discretion.”
expert There is disagreement over whether Britons should be required to continue to wear masks after July 19.
Earlier on Monday, Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, said he believes it is okay to remove the mask restriction, but vulnerable people may want to be extra careful.
He said that Covid-19 “will never go away” and added that “our grandchildren will be infected”, although he said it will become more like a common cold over time.
Professor Hunter said that “wearing a mask has become optional.” He felt it was okay, adding: “I do think that some people may feel less anxious after wearing a mask. It’s okay.
“What I want to say is that if you belong to a disadvantaged group and want to enter a crowded indoor environment, it is wise to still wear one, at least when the infection rate is high.
“Also, if you visit a very vulnerable person indoors when Covid is common in the community, even if I have been fully vaccinated, I will wear one to protect them.”
Robert Dingwall, a professor of sociology at Nottingham Trent University, said: “The benefits of wearing a mask have been uncertain because the quality of evidence in both directions is very weak.
“Any benefit may be small, or even obvious from weak research, and needs to be offset by the fear and anxiety of the crowd, children’s learning and interaction with adults, the psychological impact of people with communication problems, and a large number of adults. People cannot wear masks due to underlying health conditions or other diseases (including trauma caused by previous attacks or abuse).
“In my opinion, letting people wear masks voluntarily is a positive step.”
In my opinion, making mask wearing a voluntary act is a positive step
But Dr Lawrence Atchison from the Department of Computer Science at the University of Bristol said: “Our research shows that if everyone wears a mask, wearing a mask can reduce the spread of Covid-19 by about 25%.
“While reducing and abolishing the requirement for wearing masks, the survey results confirmed that wearing masks does have a great impact on reducing the spread of the virus, and it is still an important measure for us to deal with the virus.
“Since people are now used to wearing them, everyone can do a simple thing to continue managing risk while resuming normal activities.”
Scientific evidence shows that masks worn on the nose and mouth can reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets produced when coughing, sneezing and talking.
If there is a suggestion to continue wearing a mask, I know I will and I will encourage others to do so
The main purpose is to protect others from Covid infection, but there is evidence that they also protect the wearer.
A report from the Royal Society last summer found that when tested in a medical environment, the risk of infection with cotton masks was reduced by 54% compared with those without masks.
In another study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, scientists calculated that between April 6 and May 9, 2020, wearing masks prevented more than 78,000 infections in Italy. More than 66,000 infections were prevented in New York City in just a few weeks.
Earlier Monday, Nikki Kanani, Director of Primary Care at the NHS in the UK, told Times Broadcast That mask works.
She said that “it is very important for people to follow the guidance at the time” and added: “This is what I will do, and this is what I will advise our team to do.
“The guidance does come from the government, but I think one thing we know is that masks work.
“So let’s see what the announcement is, but what is certain is that if there are suggestions to continue wearing masks, I know I will, and I will encourage others to do so.”
At the same time, Professor Stephen Reicher, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Behavior Insight Group (Spi-B), which advises the government, said that he believes that “masks are essential in certain spaces, crowded, and poorly ventilated spaces. Important mitigation measures”.
Wearing a mask is mainly to prevent transmission rather than infection, so people with symptoms should really stay at home, which is the risk here, not people walking around who have been vaccinated with double vaccinations.
Elsewhere, Professor Calum Semple, a member of the Emergency Science Advisory Group (Sage) and Professor of Child Health and Outbreak Medicine at the University of Liverpool, told Sky News that he may continue to wear a mask after July 19.
He said: “In some cases I may, but I must remember that wearing a mask is mainly to prevent transmission rather than acquisition, so people with symptoms should really stay at home and become a risk here instead of walking around. Double vaccinated people. They face much less risk.”
Professor Semple said that the link between severe illness and hospitalization is “disconnecting from community cases,” adding that most people currently hospitalized are not vaccinated and are not severely ill.
On Monday, the Minister of Nursing Helen Whately (Helen Whately) said that she expects that after July 19, health and nursing facilities will continue to require masks.
