More proof face masks work –

Covering your mouth and nose can curb spread of the coronavirus by up to 75%, study claims

• Researchers in Hong Kong studied transmission of the virus between hamsters
• They analysed transmission when their cages were cloaked with mask material
• The researchers said it showed ‘very clearly’ that face coverings were effective

More evidence face masks help curb the spread of the coronavirus has emerged after a study found it reduced infection by up to 75 per cent.

Researchers in Hong Kong studied transmission of the virus between hamsters, with half infected with COVID-19 and the other being healthy.

They analysed various scenarios in which the hamsters cages were either cloaked with face mask material or not.

Although it’s completely different to how humans interact, the researchers said it showed ‘very clearly’ that covering the nose and mouth is hugely effective to mitigate spread.

The study comes after months of conflicting information from world health bodies concerning masks and if the public should wear them.

The British government recently U-turned and encouraged people to wear coverings when social distancing isn’t possible.

It had previously feared that the advice would leave a shortage of surgical masks for healthcare workers.

The study was released by the department of microbiology at the University of Hong Kong but has not been peer-reviewed or published in a journal yet.

It involved two groups of hamsters – one were infected with COVID-19, some of which were not displaying symptoms, and the other were perfectly healthy.

A fan was placed between the cages to allow for the transmission of respiratory droplets from the infected hamsters’ cage to the other.

When there was no face mask coverings on the cages, two-thirds of the healthy hamsters caught the coronavirus within a week.

In the scenario in which mask barriers were placed only on cages with the infected hamsters, the transmission rate dropped by 75 per cent.

Just over 15 per cent of the healthy hamsters got sick compared to 66 per cent before.

In the scenario where healthy hamsters were shielded with a masked barrier, 33 per cent were infected, showing it was only half as effective.

The researchers added that the hamsters who were infected even with the mask barrier had less of the virus in their bodies when compared to those infected without the masks.

‘The findings implied to the world and the public is that the effectiveness of mask-wearing against the coronavirus pandemic is huge,’ lead author and coronavirus expert Dr Yuen Kwok-yung told a news briefing, according to Sky News.

‘In our hamster experiment, it shows very clearly that if infected hamsters or humans -especially asymptomatic or symptomatic ones – put on masks, they actually protect other people.

‘That’s the strongest result we showed here. Transmission can be reduced by 50 percent when surgical masks are used, especially when masks are worn by infected individuals.’

Dr Kwok-yung said that until a vaccine for he virus is found, social distancing or wearing a mask are the best preventative measure working in tandem.

But it does not stop the spread entirely.

Dr Kwok-yung, who worked on the SARS virus in 2003, said that his team conducted the study world leaders, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), had questioned their effectiveness.

The WHO said there is no evidence masks cut the risk of transmission, while raising concerns there could be a shortage of masks for medical workers if they are bought by the general public.

The leading body acknowledged the virus can be transmitted by people who do not have symptoms.

But still says only two types of people should wear masks: those who are sick and show symptoms, and those who are caring for people who are suspected to have the coronavirus.

Masks are not seen as a reliable protection tool in comparison to hand washing or keeping socially distant from people. They can give a false sense of security that someone is completely protected.

The virus is spread by droplets, which can still enter the mask if it is not fitted well, and contact with contaminated surfaces.

A team from the University of East Anglia (UEA) also concluded there was no strong evidence that face masks can protect healthy people.

Lead author Professor Paul Hunter said: ‘It’s important to remember that we have not been able to look specifically at COVID-19 because there have been no specific studies to date.’

But other academics argue that despite a lack of evidence to show it reduces spreading, there was nothing to be lost in using face masks just in case.

WEAR A MASK ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT OR IN SHOPS WHERE YOU CAN’T SOCIAL DISTANCE 

Wear a face mask on public transport or in shops where you can’t social distance, new guidance from May 10 said.

People should wear a face covering on public transport or in shops where social distancing is not always possible, the Government announced.

Official advice released this afternoon said the coverings will help people avoid transmitting the disease to others if they have it without any symptoms.

It added that homemade cloth face-coverings can help reduce the risk, but surgical masks or respirators should continue to be reserved for healthcare workers.

Ministers added that face coverings should not be used by children aged under two or those with respiratory conditions.

People who may find it difficult to manage the masks correctly such as primary age children unassisted are also advised not to wear them.

Officials said the new guidance was being issued in response to there being ‘more movement outside people’s immediate household’ as Britons start returning to work.

While the Prime Minister has insisted that social distancing ‘must be maintained’, he did not mention the use of face coverings during his address to the UK last night.

International researchers, led by the University of Oxford, said: ‘Even limited protection could prevent some transmission of COVID-19 and save lives. Because COVID-19 is such a serious threat, wearing masks in public should be advised.’

The UK government first took the stance that masks were not necessary for the public, which was not in tune with America, where officials dramatically switched their stance overnight.

Ministers came under mounting pressure to change their advice, with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer arguing face masks would be an ‘inevitable’ part of easing the draconian restrictions.

It finally revised its advice on May 10 to recommend people wear face coverings in confined places where social distancing is difficult. This means it is still voluntary.

Italy had urged citizens to do so more than a month before, and Germans were told to wear coverings in shops and on public transport on April 16.

In France, the government originally said masks were unnecessary, but made it mandatory to wear them on public transport and in secondary schools in the first week of May.

From tomorrow, it is compulsory to wear a face mask in public in Spain.

In Asia, wearing a face mask was pretty standard before the pandemic even existed. It is seen as considerate to keep your nose and mouth covered to protect others from yourself, and irresponsible to not do so.

In some parts of China, you could be arrested or punished for not wearing a mask and people in Singapore can face a fine.

Dr David Nabarro, the UN body’s COVID-19 envoy, has warned people will need to get accustomed to a ‘new reality’ of always wearing a facial covering.