Retailers stocking face masks as WHO changes guidance - Which? News

The World Health Organization (WHO) has changed its advice on face masks, recommending that governments should encourage people to wear fabric masks where social distancing isn't possible and that the over-60s should wear 'medical' masks in specific circumstances.The WHO has previously resisted advising the use of face masks by the general public because of a lack of evidence for their effectiveness.It was also concerned their use could lead to a false sense of security, and a lax approach to good hand hygiene and social distancing, which remain the most effective measures to prevent the disease spreading.Now, it's advising governments to encourage people to use non-medical (ideally triple-layer) fabric masks, 'especially in settings where physical distancing of at least one metre is not possible - such as on public transport, in shops or in other confined or crowded environments'.It also suggests those over the age of 60 may wish to wear 'medical' masks - the simple surgical-type disp...