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Are the masks effective in protecting the coronavirus? 2:27
(CNN) - World Health Organization officials said Monday that they still advise people not to wear face masks unless they are sick with covid-19 or are caring for someone who is sick.
"There is no specific evidence to suggest that the use of masks by the mass population has any potential benefit. In fact, there is some evidence to the contrary in the misuse of a mask, ”said Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO's health emergencies program, at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday.
- Masks can actually increase your risk of coronavirus if used incorrectly, surgeon general warns.
(LLUIS GENE / AFP via Getty Images)
"There is also the problem that we have a massive global shortage," Ryan said of the masks and other medical supplies. "Right now, the people most at risk of contracting this virus are front-line health workers who are exposed to the virus every second of every day. The idea that they don't have masks is horrible. ”
- Players of this Italian team entered the field with masks
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the WHO, also said at Monday's briefing that it is important that "we prioritize wearing masks for those who need it most," who would be front-line health care workers.
"We do not recommend wearing masks in the community unless you are sick and as a measure to prevent the spread if you are," said Van Kerkhove.
"The masks we recommend are for people who are home and who are sick and for people who care for people who are home sick," he said.
WHO officials warned at a press conference last week that globally there is a "significant shortage" of medical supplies, including personal protective equipment, or PPE, for doctors.
"We need to be clear," said Van Kerkhove last week. "The world faces a significant shortage of PPE for our front-line workers, including masks, gloves, gowns, and masks, and protecting our health workers must be the highest priority for the use of this PPE."
coronavirus facial masks
