Evidence of mass wearing of masks is weak
That is according to leading experts from the Government
The issue of whether members of the public should wear face masks is difficult, due to weak evidence, the Government's leading experts have said.
Deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said while there is "probably a very, very small potential beneficial effect" in some enclosed environments, "the evidence is really very, very difficult to tease out".
Meanwhile Professor Peter Horby, chairman of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group, which is looking into the benefits of face masks, called the data "weak".
His words were echoed by chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance at Thursday's Downing Street press conference, who said the evidence on face masks "has always been quite variable, quite weak and difficult to know".
Published: by Radio NewsHub