Face masks must be worn to stop Covid second wave that could ‘devastate’ NHS, top docs warn
FACE masks must be worn to stop the spread of Covid-19 or the UK risks a second wave that could “devastate” the NHS, top docs have warned.
Senior medics are pleading with the public to wear face coverings and warn that the Covid-19 pandemic "isn't over".
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The British Medical Association (BMA) said another wave of cases, combined with a seasonal outbreak of flu, could be "devastating for the NHS".
It has also criticised the "illogical" Government guidance on the use of face coverings, the Guardian reported.
Face coverings are already compulsory on public transport in England, and from July 24 it will be mandatory to wear them in shops and supermarkets.
However shop staff are unable to enforce this and only police are able to question people who do not follow the rules.
Some stores are set to offer customers masks on entry, but customers can refuse to wear them.
'Illogical'
But BMA council chairman Dr Chaand Nagpaul said introducing coverings in shops but not workplaces, or other areas where social distancing was impossible, was illogical.
He added: "Everyone has their role to play, but there needs to be clear, concise public messaging.
"To introduce measures for shops, but not other situations where physical distancing is not possible - including some workplaces - is illogical and adds to confusion and the risk of the virus spreading."
Dr Alison Pittard, head of the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, warned the NHS could be "overwhelmed" by a second wave during seasonal flu and said if people do not wear face coverings the virus could spread to levels seen earlier this year, the Guardian reported.
She added: "People might think Covid is over with, why do I have to wear a face mask.
It isn't over. We still have Covid patients in intensive care
Dr Alison Pittard,
"But it isn't over. We still have Covid patients in intensive care.
"If the public don't physically distance and don't wear face coverings we could very quickly get back to where we were earlier this year."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock last week claimed that masks and coverings would have to be worn in takeaway sandwich shops such as Pret A Manger.
Downing Street later contradicted Mr Hancock, claiming the coverings would not have to be worn.
Then business secretary Alok Sharma said the government "encouraged" the use of masks in places like Pret, but that it wasn't mandatory.
Lockdown fears
Their comments come after Prime Minister Boris Johnson played down the prospect of a second national coronavirus lockdown, saying he did not want to use it any more than Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent.
Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph yesterday he said authorities were getting better at identifying and isolating local outbreaks, although it was important that the power to order national action was held in reserve.
"I can't abandon that tool any more than I would abandon a nuclear deterrent.
"But it is like a nuclear deterrent, I certainly don't want to use it. And nor do I think we will be in that position again”.
Despite Mr Johnson’s certainty that the UK is out of the woods, Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser to the government, last week warned national measures might be needed as winter approaches.
The government has now given local councils autonomy when it comes to local lockdowns.
It comes after Leicester was the first place in the UK to be placed on localised lockdown earlier this month
While some restrictions have been lifted and the lockdown area decreased other local authorities have also had to introduce measures to keep residents safe.
How to make a homemade mask
IF you're unable to find a mask, you could make your own at home.
Homemade masks won't offer the same level of protection as medical-grade ones, but it hasn't stopped DIY tutorials popping up online.
One of the simplest ones involves using two layers of kitchen roll and one tissue cut in half.
You then cover each end with masking tape - and you can even tape down some wire to stiffen the mask, if you have any.
Finish by punching holes in each end and threading elastic through to fit around your ears.
If you don't have elastic bands you could also use a hair tie.
Rochdale brought in immediate new measures to avoid a reintroduction of lockdown, as the town's director of public health warned the "fight against coronavirus is not over".
The borough followed Blackburn with Darwen and Pendle, in Lancashire, in urging residents to follow extra precautions such as wearing face coverings in shops and limiting home visitors to two people.
While Leicester continues to have the highest rate of cases in the country, local officials have warned the national tracing system is only reaching half of people who have been in contact with coronavirus patients.
Dominic Harrison, the director of public health at Blackburn with Darwin Council said this was the case in his region.
Most read in Health News
Speaking on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday, Prof Harrison said that Blackburn with Darwen faced a "rising tide" of infections.
A cluster of coronavirus infections has been confirmed at an NHS Test and Trace call centre in North Lanarkshire.
The news comes as Scotland recorded 23 new confirmed cases of coronavirus - the highest increase in almost a month.
Three of these were in the Lanarkshire health board area.
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