Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive of NHS Providers, which represents trusts, said it was vital for workers to “stop the chances of you giving your virus to somebody else”.
He urged people to “get back into the habit” formed during the COVID-19 pandemic of wearing a mask when in public spaces – and even in the office if they have a cold.
Mandatory mask rules have been imposed over recent weeks in parts of hospitals in London, Lincolnshire, Shropshire and Oxfordshire amid alarm at infection numbers.
Downing Street said wearing a mask to prevent the spread of respiratory illness was “something people can consider” – but Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch branded them a “barrier to social interaction” and told the Government not to mandate them. …
A “drifted” influenza A(H3N2) strain, also now known as ‘subclade K’ or ‘super flu’, is dominating cases and health leaders have warned the flu season started “unusually early” this year – while virology experts are leading growing calls for mask wearing.
It comes after the UK Health Security Agency said last week that “masks continue to be a useful tool in limiting the spread of respiratory viruses in some situations”.
Mr Elkeles suggested today that the UK should get back to the habits of the pandemic-era, telling Times Radio: “When you were talking about anything like Covid, I think we need to get back into the habit that if you are coughing and sneezing, but you’re not unwell enough to not go to work, then you must wear a mask when you’re in public spaces, including on public transport to stop the chances of you giving your virus to somebody else.
“And we were all very good about infection control during Covid. And we really, really need to get back to that now.” …<<<Read More>>>.....
