Call to give world’s health staff priority over face masks

MEDICAL MASKS must be “prioritised” for health workers, global health leaders have said.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that it was concerned that the use of masks by the general population would “exacerbate” global shortages.

It comes as British experts concluded that there is no strong evidence to support the general public wearing face masks to protect against Covid-19, although they may offer some protection for the vulnerable or those living with somebody who is ill.

A team from the University of East Anglia (UEA) carried out a rapid review of existing scientific evidence and concluded there was no push to change current UK policy, which does not recommend the widespread use of face masks.

The UEA study, which has not been peer-reviewed, found that widespread use of face masks was not needed.

But experts did find that if both an ill person and those who are well – and who live in the same household – wear masks, the risk of transmission is cut by 19 per cent.

There was also enough evidence to support vulnerable people deciding to use masks for short periods, such as when they are on public transport, visiting shops or using the GP surgery.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a briefing in Geneva: “We understand that some countries have recommended or are considering the use of both medical and non-medical masks in the general population to prevent the spread of Covid-19. First and foremost, medical masks must be prioritised for health workers on the frontlines of the response.

“We know medical masks can help to protect health workers, but they’re in short supply globally.”

He said the mass use of medical masks could exacerbate the shortage among medics,