WHO: Masks may lead to neglect of proper hygiene

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned against relying on face masks for protection against the 2019 novel coronavirus, emphasizing that proper handwashing and hygiene are crucial.

At a Senate hearing on Tuesday, WHO Representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe stated that using masks may give people a false sense of security, leading to reduced handwashing and other preventive measures.

Dr. Abeyasinghe advised reserving surgical masks for high-risk individuals and health workers rather than the general public.