Scientist challenges UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock on face masks

Jeremy Howard, who recently led a review into masks, says they are a very important tool in the fight against Covid-19

A prominent scientist has taken Britain's Health Minister Matt Hancock to task for casting doubt on the effectiveness of face masks to fight the spread of coronavirus.

Mr Hancock told ITV’s Peston programme last night it was important the British Government made the right decisions on the supply and use of face masks amid continuing high demand for them, saying “if they don’t help, then it doesn’t improve the national effort to tackle this virus”.