03 January 2023 , 11:20
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Winter illnesses such as flu and Covid are bringing our NHS to its knees - with health chiefs saying the system is under more pressure now than at the height of the pandemic.
Senior doctors have described the situation as being on a knife edge, with many calling for drastic action to help ease the burden.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has already said unwell adults should stay at home and wear a mask if they have to venture outside.
Poorly Brits are also told not to visit healthcare settings 'unless urgent' and to avoid vulnerable people.
It's hoped these simple steps will help limit the spread of Covid, flu and scarlet fever, currently 'circulating at high levels' and 'likely' to keep rising in the coming weeks.
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The health body also urged parents to keep children off school or nursery if they are ill and have a high temperature of 38C or above.
Ministers have been urged to help ease the 'intolerable and unsustainable' pressure facing the NHS - but do YOU think it's time face masks were again made compulsory?
What are your thoughts? Should face masks be made compulsory to help the NHS through these hard winter months? (imagemaker/getty images)Should face masks be compulsory again to help our struggling NHS? Have your say