SURGICAL masks being worn by Scotland’s cops are not fit for purpose, the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) has warned.
The face coverings are being handed out to officers to be used when it’s not possible to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
But an expert panel set up by the SPF said the type-two surgical mask being offered by the force doesn’t offer “meaningful protection.”
Instead, they’ve called for the roll-out of FFP3 masks. These have a face-fitted respirator and offer protection against airborne infectious agents.
Currently there around 4000 of the disposable FFP3 masks in the force but only officers and staff who are in contact with someone who is suspected or confirmed to have coronavirus has access to them.
SPF chairman David Hamilton, pictured, said: “The demand for PPE amongst our members is understandably high and whilst we note the service is now able to issue type-two surgical masks, these will not provide any meaningful protection to officers.
“The advice of our expert panel means that the Scottish Police Federation cannot endorse their use as PPE. Our panel is unanimous in its views that the primary aim of the surgical mask is to prevent the wearer from infecting anyone else, and that they offer little effective barrier to the wearer from contracting the virus.
“In short, the scientific case that these masks can be used as PPE against Covid-19 has yet to be made.”
Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said there was some evidence that the type-two masks offered protection. He said: “There is evidence from the UK government and Health Protection England that these masks offer some protection to the person wearing them and we have communicated this to our staff and that’s what the SPF don’t agree with.”
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