The rapid global spread of coronavirus has triggered a world shortage of surgical masks as people rush to protect themselves.

Such is the heightened demand for face masks, doctors and dentists have been left in short supply.

Germany, Russia and the Czechia have all announced an export ban on protective gear to ensure adequate local supplies for medical professionals.

However, the wider question now is whether face masks actually do any good in the battle against coronavirus.

Manufacturers of surgical masks around the world are struggling to meet demand, as wearing a mask becomes a growing trend.

Even at this year's London Fashion Week they were the latest "must have" accessory, with the young and beautiful making a coronavirus statement.

But health professionals, it appears, aren't so convinced that masks are helping stop the spread of infection.

Scientists at Symphony Environmental, a company developing an anti-microbial product that can be integrated into a wide range of items, express significant doubts.

According to Symphony's CEO, Michael Laurier, just about everything, including office furniture and computers - can be permanently protected from scores of different micro-organisms with the help of the firm's special additive d2p.

Laurier has pitched the idea to industry, finance and even the Bank of England, with its much-thumbed pound notes. 

But when it comes to wearing a mask to ward off coronavirus, Laurier sees no science that supports the idea.

"In my view," he said, "by wearing a mask you're masking in the microbes. And if you've already got an infection, by wearing a mask you're going to keep it inside your body, instead of allowing it out. Not a very good idea."

However, the global perception is that a mask makes a difference, with many millions around the world wearing them – despite the medical evidence.

Prof Robin Shattock, a leading virologist at Imperial College, London, told me that wearing a mask offered little or no protection and could even make matters worse.

"They make you feel secure, probably falsely secure. Potentially it's actually a negative thing," he said.

"If all the general population are buying up the masks, then the medical profession, that know how to use them properly and actually need them in a context where they're treating patients, they may not actually be able to get the supplies they need."

So, it seems a negative to the question "does wearing a mask protect you from coronavirus?"

The scientific community is urging we leave the masks to dentists and doctors, because the best protection against coronavirus is simply to wash you hands - regularly.

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