Guernsey Press

Coronavirus: No evidence mask will protect you – doctor

ISLANDERS have been advised that social distancing and hand washing are much more effective in reducing the threat of Covid-19 than wearing a face mask.

Published
Last updated
Masks are commonplace in some countries but Dr Brink says they are no substitute for social distancing. (Picture: David Ferguson, 27859182)

The Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink, has cleared up some of the confusion around cloth, paper and re-usable masks, including whether they stop people from getting infected.

‘There’s little evidence that this is going to prevent the transmission of the virus that causes Covid, we just don’t have the data to support that. However, some people may feel reassured by it when they go out.’

The comments from Dr Brink tally with the current views of Public Health England and many scientists worldwide, but in some Asian countries mask-wearing has been commonplace.

Yesterday, it was confirmed that World Health Organisation advisors were assessing whether face masks should be worn more widely to combat the spread of coronavirus.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge have suggested that droplets from sneezes or coughs could travel further than initially thought – up to six to eight metres.

Speaking at Tuesday’s press conference Dr Brink said it was fine for members of the public to wear masks, but they could offer a false sense of security.

‘If someone feels reassured by putting on a material mask, a cloth mask, before they go out, as long as there are certain things that are adhered to, for example if you’re going to do that, you need to change the mask every two hours, you need to wash the mask in a washing machine using a detergent, tumble dry it and iron it.

‘If you use a mask inappropriately, you could actually increase your risk of infection, so if you touch the outside of your mask and don’t wash your hands and then touch your face, you’re actually increasing your risk of infection.

‘If it comforts you to put a mask on, I don’t have a particular problem about that, if you asked me if there is evidence to support you doing that, I’d say there isn’t the evidence but if it makes you feel better then as long as it’s used appropriately it might provide a little extra protection.

‘But your major protection is going to be number one your social distancing, and number two washing your hands, and self-isolating if you have any respiratory symptoms at all.’

Dr Brink said that people who have coronavirus symptoms, such as a fever or a dry cough, should not assume that wearing a mask makes it okay to leave the home.

‘What I would say is that wearing a mask when you’re symptomatic and going out is an absolute no.

‘The advice from us is clear, if you’re symptomatic stay out of the community, don’t say, “well, it’s fine I’ve got a mask on so I can go out”. It’s absolutely not fine, you’re putting other people at risk.’

For healthcare workers the issue of masks is different because it would be difficult to treat a patient while maintaining distance.