\u201cWhen you were talking about anything like Covid, I think we need to get back into the habit that if you are coughing and sneezing, but you\u2019re not unwell enough to not go to work, then you must wear a mask when you\u2019re in public spaces \u2014 including on public transport \u2014 to stop the chances of you giving your virus to somebody else.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Wearing masks could help limit the spread of winter bugs<\/p>\n
GUY BELL\/ALAMY<\/p>\n
Elkeles added: \u201cWe were all very good about infection control during Covid. And we really, really need to get back to that now.\u201d When asked if people who have a cold and are coughing should wear a mask in the office, he said: \u201cI think that would be very sensible to all their colleagues, or probably their colleagues would say, \u2018Please go home.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have really got to worry about the fact that this is a very nasty strain of flu. It spreads very easily. It\u2019s warm and wet out there and people need to be sensible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Downing Street said wearing a mask to prevent the spread of respiratory illness was \u201csomething people can consider\u201d after Elkeles recommended the wider use of face coverings.<\/p>\n
A No 10 spokesman said: \u201cThere is long-standing guidance in place for people on a range of measures they can consider taking to help limit the spread of winter bugs if they have flu-like symptoms<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is neither new nor an instruction, but simply something people can consider when trying to limit the spread of winter respiratory illnesses. <\/p>\n \u201cThe best defence against flu is the vaccine, which is why we\u2019re ramping up our vaccination efforts this winter, with almost 17 million flu jabs<\/a> already delivered, which is 350,000 more than this time last year.\u201d<\/p>\n Elkeles said the peak of this flu season could be worse than previous winters, adding: \u201cWe really do need people to sit up and listen.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd actually, we need to have a big debate probably after this flu season about how we prepare the public better for what happens every year. So if you haven\u2019t already had your flu vaccine and you\u2019re eligible, please go and take it.\u201d<\/p>\n A \u201cparticularly virulent\u201d strain of flu is taking hold, and masks could help stop it from spreading<\/p>\n MARK LIDDELL\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n Elkeles added that there was the \u201creally big challenge\u201d of resident doctors \u2014 formerly known as junior doctors \u2014 going on strike next week when the NHS<\/a> is grappling with flu and other illnesses.<\/p>\n He said he agreed with concerns from \u201creally, really senior doctors\u201d at the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges that the five-day walkout could harm patients.<\/p>\n The academy has made a rare intervention to de-escalate the row between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the government, warning of a \u201cparticularly virulent flu taking hold\u201d. It issued a statement urging the two sides to \u201cend the painful dispute\u201d, and asking doctors to tell their employers if they plan to strike.<\/p>\n Officials from the BMA and the government are holding talks, aiming to reach a deal that would avert the strikes, but ministers are adamant they will not increase pay. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not too late for resident doctors and the government to find enough common ground in their conversations to say, \u2018We are determined to resolve this dispute but the thing that is really, really going to damage the NHS and harm patients is having the strike next week,\u201d Elkeles said.<\/p>\n \u201cSo let\u2019s not have the strike next week and let\u2019s carry on talking and get to a good place where resident doctors and the government feel like there\u2019s a good solution.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Young](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/1fab9389-cdd1-42cd-9baf-955de5711987.jpg\")
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