Should we be wearing facemasks? Sunderland's Public Health Director answers your questions

We’ve teamed up with Sunderland’s Director of Public Health, Gillian Gibson, to give you the chance to get answers to some of your questions on the current COVID-19 situation.

One of those issues you’ve asked for more information about is using facemasks.

Gillian has already looked at why Sunderland has higher rates of coronavirus infections than other areas.

We’ve put those questions to Gillian and she’s answered them below.

Remember, if you have something you would like to ask or would like advice or guidance on any issues that impact on people’s health in Sunderland, please contact us on our Facebook page and we will send a selection to Gillian each week.

In this piece, she talks about using facemasks.

On the Sunderland Echo Facebook page Marie-Claire Young asked: “Will Ms Gibson be recommending that residents of Sunderland should wear a form of face protection when exercising in public places or in shops until such time that herd immunity has been achieved?

Gillian said: “This week, the Government has advised that people should wear a face-covering in enclosed crowded areas, such as on public transport or in some shops, where they may come into contact with others they do not normally meet.

“Face coverings are not the same as surgical masks or respirators, which should be reserved for healthcare workers who are giving care to patients and those exposed to dust hazards in their work setting.

“Rather, they are a cloth material – such as a scarf or bandana - that covers your mouth and nose while allowing you to breathe comfortably.

“Some people will not be able to tolerate face coverings and should not wear them.

“They are not recommended for children aged under two years, anyone who is unable to manage the covering without assistance or people with respiratory conditions.

“They are not needed when outdoors.

“The evidence suggests that wearing a face-covering will not stop you from catching the virus though, if you are infected and have not yet developed symptoms, it may help to reduce the chance of you passing the virus to others.

“Face-coverings do not remove the need to take other precautions to reduce the spread of the virus.”

She said the following actions are likely to be more effective than face coverings at reducing the spread of the virus:

*Keeping your distance from others, by maintaining separation of at least 2 metres wherever and whenever possible

*Keeping your hands clean, by washing them regularly with soap and water and drying them thoroughly, and avoiding touching your face

*Working from home if you can and reducing the number of people you spend time with when at work if you can’t

*Keeping any rooms or vehicles you spend time in well ventilated, where this is possible and safe

*Avoiding crowds

Gillian added: “It is important to use face coverings properly and wash your hands before putting them on and taking them off.

Lucy Frogatt asked: “If we are told to wear masks will Sunderland City Council be providing them?

“As large gatherings are prohibited how will this be managed in large shopping malls?

“Who will be responsible for checking that local employers are complying with the health and safety measures the Government are rumoured to be putting in place to protect employees, ie: screens/masks/space to social distance etc?”

Gillian said: “While the council will be providing appropriate PPE for those of our employees working in settings which require it, the council’s main role is around enforcement and it will not be providing face coverings for residents.

“The Government has released instructions on how you can make face-coverings at home.”

She went on to say: “To make sure people are staying at home and apart from each other, the Government has introduced legislation which restricts all public gatherings of more than two people, except for very limited purposes such as where the gathering is of a group of people who live together in the same household or where the gathering is essential for work purposes.

“The Government has also released a range of guidance to help businesses that are allowed to continue operating during the pandemic to stay open safely, protect their staff, visitors and customers and help prevent the spread of the virus.

“This includes guidance for the retail industry and suggest measures such as controlling entry to prevent overcrowding, signs to direct movement, use of ‘lanes’ and other floor markings to help keep people at least 2 metres apart, and installation of plexiglass barriers at points where staff and customers interact.

“All businesses are governed by Health and Safety law, which places a responsibility on them to ensure the health, safety and welfare of not only their staff but also persons not employed by them who may be affected by their business, and includes the need to take action when there is obvious risk of harm to staff or members of the public that are using their facilities.

“This means that owners of shopping malls and the business units that operate within them are responsible for the health and safety of the visitors and shoppers using the facility.

“Those obligations under Health and Safety law remain during the pandemic period.

“Local authorities act as the enforcing authority for the health and safety of the retail industry.

“In this role local authorities may provide advice and guidance, undertake inspections, investigate complaints, issue formal enforcement notices or even prosecute if necessary.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

How to subscribe to the print edition

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of.

Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.