The comments from Venki Ramakrishnan come as two new peer-reviewed studies showed how wearing face coverings may help significantly reduce the spread of viruses such as COVID-19.

“It used to be quite normal to have quite a few drinks and drive home, and it also used to be normal to drive without seatbelts,” Ramakrishnan wrote in a comment article.

“Today both of those would be considered antisocial, and not wearing face coverings in public should be regarded in the same way.”