Coronavirus Facial Masks for the Public May “Risk NHS Shortage” – The Sun

The UK NHS could face a shortage of coronavirus face masks if the public were told to also wear them, health chiefs warned.

The government has already admitted that it is dealing with a global shortage of sunscreen kit, and an avalanche of face masks could make it worse.

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Government scientists are re-examining the evidence on the use of masks today, before making a formal recommendation.

But while the NHS is still under incredible pressure trying to protect its workers with inadequate levels of personal protective equipment (PPE), any change in advice could be dangerous for the health service.

Ministers have been urged not to recommend masks to the public unless there is “clear evidence” that the benefits outweigh the risk to the health service.

Oxford University professor Trish Greenhalgh, who has published evidence that reviews facial masks, said they help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

She told The Times: “Your mask does not protect you but it protects other people. A mask should be an article of clothing. It is like a T-shirt, wear it and throw it in the wash. Detergent kills Covid.”

NHS Providers executive director, representing the NHS trusts, Chris Hopson said: “Securing the supply of masks, when there is high global demand, is crucial. This should be a key consideration.”

“If the government is going to consider advising the general public to wear face masks, it must fully assess the impact on the NHS.”

“Fluid repellent masks for health and care personnel are key to safety and to preventing the spread of the coronavirus.”

“There needs to be clear evidence that the use of masks, along with other measures, will provide significant enough benefits to take us out of confinement and jeopardize the NHS supply of masks.”

The World Health Organization has already warned that recommending the widespread use of face masks would divert critical resources from overburdened health services.

But it is understood that WHO is preparing to issue new guidance on how to use them in stores, on public transport and in other crowded spaces as part of measures to help start alleviating blockages.

Local government minister Simon Clarke told Sky News this morning: “We will always be guided by science in decisions like (masks).”

“Obviously, we would prioritize the front line of the NHS as the primary EPP recipient at a time when we all know there is such a demand.”

“There is no consensus that wearing masks in public is the appropriate way.”

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Scientists and doctors have urged ministers to endorse the use of homemade or non-clinical masks.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan and former Prime Minister Tony Blair have added their voices to requests for masks and face masks.

But there is concern that any approval of masks encourages people to buy medical-grade versions, increasing prices and depleting already stretched stocks.

Public Health England said last night that staff had the right to refuse work if they did not feel safe due to the lack of a protective kit.

PHE Medical Director Yvonne Doyle said last night, “Staff must make their decisions based on whether they are at risk or not,” as desperate calls for proper PPE increased further.

Hospitals are reported to wash and reuse single-use gowns up to three times because they need around 150,000 per day to work safely and are out of stock.

NHS chiefs began to lose hope over the weekend, after the promise of an 84-ton PPE shipment stalled in Turkey.

Hopson said he had “little confidence” in the arrival of the supplies.

No10’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, said the evidence in the masks is “variable”, but there is evidence that wearing masks prevents people from transmitting the virus to others, rather than protecting themselves.

Other European countries have added masks to the arsenal of measures being taken to stop the spread while easing the blockades.

The German state of Saxony has made them mandatory in shops and on public transport, and Spain is giving them to travelers.