Mask reminder from Southport and Sefton Health Chief in light of global study

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health has called on people living and working in the Borough to remember that alongside vaccination, mask-wearing is hugely effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Her comments come in the light of a global study, reported in the British Medical Journal, which has shown mask-wearing reduces incidence of COVID by 53%.

Global study

She said: “This is the first global study of its kind and it confirms how important wearing a mask can be in preventing us from spreading and catching the coronavirus. Particularly as even those of us who have been vaccinated can still carry and pass on the virus without feeling any ill effects ourselves.

Analysis of research from around the world into non-pharmaceutical interventions, carried out by the University of Edinburgh and Monash University in Australia, showed that social distancing and handwashing are also effective ways of preventing the spread of COVID-19 cases, but that mask wearing is the most effective.

Minimal effort

Mrs Jones said: “I think all of us will have noticed the drop off in mask-wearing on public transport, in shops and other places locally and on a national basis, but this study is a reminder that we should be keeping it up if we want to minimise the spread of the virus as we head into winter.

“It’s a minimal effort that can do so much to prevent ourselves, our friends and loved ones and others from COVID-19 and other seasonal viruses such as flu.”

Booster

She also reminded people who have not yet had their first or second vaccination that it’s not too late to do so as soon as possible and for those people who are eligible to book their booster jabs.

She added: “I would urge anyone eligible to get their first, second or booster jab or within a month of being able to get their booster to book an appointment today by visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccination or calling 119 today.”