for ex weez, UK pandemic plan from 2011
pag 37
4.15 Although there is a perception that the wearing of facemasks by the public in the
community and household setting may be beneficial, there is in fact very little evidence
of widespread benefit from their use in this setting. Facemasks must be worn correctly,
changed frequently, removed properly, disposed of safely and used in combination with
good respiratory, hand, and home hygiene behaviour in order for them to achieve the
intended benefit. Research also shows that compliance with these recommended
behaviours when wearing facemasks for prolonged periods reduces over time.
pag 39
Restrictions on public gatherings and public transport
4.21 There is very limited evidence that restrictions on mass gatherings will have any
significant effect on influenza virus transmission14.
Large public gatherings or crowded
events where people may be in close proximity are an important indicator of ‘normality’
and may help maintain public morale during a pandemic. The social and economic
consequences of advising cancellation or postponement of large gatherings are likely to
be considerable for event organisers, contributors and participants. There is also a lack
of scientific evidence on the impact of internal travel restrictions on transmission and
attempts to impose such restrictions would have wide-reaching implications for business
and welfare.
4.22
For these reasons, the working presumption will be that Government will not impose any
such restrictions. The emphasis will instead be on encouraging all those who have
symptoms to follow the advice to stay at home and avoid spreading their illness.
However, local organisers may decide to cancel or postpone events in a pandemic
fearing economic loss through poor attendances, and the public themselves may decide
not to mix in crowds, or use public transport if other options are available.
(schools)
School closures
4.23 There is modelling data highlighting the potential benefit of school closures in certain
circumstances15, both in terms of protecting individual children from infection and in
reducing overall transmission of the virus in the population. However, to be effective
prolonged closures are required. This would involve schools over a wide area, but
carries a risk that social mixing of children outside school would defeat the object of the
closures.
4.24 However, under some circumstances head teachers (and their Boards of Governors
where relevant) may take the decision to close individual establishments temporarily.
Such closures should be guided by the following planning principles:
• Using a precautionary approach in the early stages of an influenza pandemic and
depending on the public health risk assessment, Directors of Public Health may
advise localised closures (individual schools or catchment areas). The purpose
would be to reduce the initial spread of infection locally while gathering more
information about the spread of the virus.
14 Impact of mass gatherings on an influenza pandemic. Scientific Evidence Base Review 2011
15 House T, Baguelin M, van Hoek AJ, White PJ, Sadique Z, Eames K, Read JM, Hens N, Melegaro A, Edmunds WJ, MJ
Keeling. Modelling the impact of local reactive school closures on critical care provision during an influenza pandemic.
Proceedings of the Royal Society series B (in press).
UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy 2011
40
• Once the virus is more established in the country, the general policy would be that
schools should not close – unless there are specific local business continuity
reasons (staff shortages or particularly vulnerable children). This policy will be
reviewed in light of information about how the pandemic is unfolding at the time.
4.25 The impact of closure of schools and similar settings on all sectors would have
substantial economic and social consequences, and have a disproportionately large
effect on health and social care because of the demographic profile of those employed
in these sectors. Such a step would therefore only be taken in an influenza pandemic
with a very high impact and so, although school closures cannot be ruled out, it should
not be the primary focus of schools’ planning.
https://www.gov.uk/government/public...k-flu-pandemic
Not even the vague idea of closing barbers at all. Remember, this was even with spanish flu mortality
