Across the world, face masks are becoming mandatory. Why not in the UK? | Babak Javid
The government's objections to this seemingly effective measure appear more political and economic than scientific
Passing through the new Beijing Daxing airport on my way to an international scientific meeting on 25 January, two days after Wuhan had been put under lockdown, one sight in particular was unsettling. Close to 100% of people were wearing masks (myself included). Even in pollution-stricken China, this was highly unusual. Arriving in Europe, masks were nowhere to be seen.
Three months on, even as more than 30 countries, including Germany, have mandated face coverings outdoors for the public, the UK government has been adamant that there's not enough evidence to support such a move here. The government, advised by the scientific advisory group on emergencies (Sage), is expected to make a decision shortly on whether face masks will be mandatory. Reports suggest that the advice will be a compromise, with the public allowed to choose to wear scarves or face-coverings rather than medical-grade masks. So why has there been such a divergence on this issue?
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