By Tony O’Riley-
The argument presented for wearing face masks is unreliable because of the conflicting evidence presented so far. The debate about the use of face masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19 has resulted in opposing views about whether masks should be used or not. Quite simply, the arguments insisting on their use are not backed by evidence.
No research based evidence has been presented to suggest that the personal use of masks can prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The few trials that have been conducted neither prove that masks are useful in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, or that they are useless in doing so.
The evidence supporting mask use by health care workers is also inconclusive . The sue of masks is highly recommended in hospitals, but that’s as a safety precaution rather than as any solid evidence or proof. The few clinical trials that have been conducted of using masks for health care workers to prevent influenza are inconclusive too.
An interesting observation too is that the scientific basis for health care workers using masks comes from laboratory simulations that demonstrates the ability of masks to prevent viral particles from getting through.
Given the huge and higher risks faced by health care workers or other people looking after people sick with Covid-19, it makes sense for them to wear masks and take no chances. This however does not provide evidence that face masks protect people from either catching the coronavirus or transferring it.
Moves to ease lockdown restrictions in many countries has included mandatory requirements for members of the public to wear face masks when shopping. In Germany, vending machines at train stations are being stocked up with masks in a bid to help curb the spread of coronavirus among commuters.
Officials in the UK have resisted making wearing masks on the grounds that the scientific evidence is weak Until now. On April 28, Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon advised the Scottish public to wear face masks in public spaces where space is too limited to follow social distancing rules.
Across the world, face masks are increasingly viewed as the progressive move in easing the lockdown, with some countries mandating them in public. Scottish prime minister, Nicola Sturgeon’s has called for masks to be worn, but the Uk says the scientific evidence in support of masks is weak. The Uk government’s stance on this is right.
The idea of forcing members of the public to look a certain way,potentially against their personal preferences of fashion is unconvincing without strong evidence that it serves the purpose of achieving protection from a deadly virus. Those who wish to wear them by all means should so , but the idea of making it mandatory in the Uk should not even be considered