Van-Tam: Masks are useful but have limitationspublished at 08:42 Greenwich Mean Time 3 November 2021
The first question from a member of the public comes from Darren in Kent, who asks whether Van-Tam thinks masks should be made mandatory on public transport.
The evidence over the pandemic has become stronger that masks are useful, he says - but most useful when used in combination with other things.
"They offer some small personal protection effect, but the main effect is in protecting other people," he says.
He starts to explain how useful or practical they might be in different settings - and are, for example, less useful and necessary when outside.
In indoor settings involving food and drink, masks are not that practical to wear - so really you should wear masks when moving about, he says.
"So they have limitations," he says.
But in cinemas and theatres, where you're seated quite close together, wearing a face mask involves fairly little personal expense, he adds.