As flu cases rise across the UK, Kemi Badenoch has dismissed calls for face masks to return. The Mail has more.
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>>>.....
