Just because someone isn't wearing a mask doesn't mean they don't want to. They might have a disability or medical condition you can't see that makes wearing a mask difficult or distressing.
A UNSW Medicine Professor and advisor to the World Health Organisation says the WHO’s updated mask advice, released today, is timely news for Australia, too.
Biosecurity expert Raina MacIntyre says healthcare workers are concerned about dwindling supplies of personal protective equipment, and need to be aware of existing evidence to make an informed choice.
Wearing face masks to prevent disease and counter pollution is common in many Asian countries, but their effectiveness depends on the type of mask, write C Raina MacIntyre and Abrar Ahmad Chughtai.
The use of cloth masks by healthcare workers may actually put them at increased risk of respiratory illness and viral infections and their global use should be discouraged, according to a UNSW study.
Donning a mask boosts protection from respiratory illnesses such as influenza, UNSW research has found, but convincing a reluctant public is proving a struggle.
