Forum Topic

Should Wearing Face Masks Now Be Made Compulsory?

Despite 10 weeks of lockdown there are presently 8000 people in England who have contracted the virus, according to today's briefing.  So I say yes.  Should have happened 3 months ago.

Sue Hammond ● 2138d19 Comments

My niece lives in NZ and is really surprised at how lax we seem to be.  I know they have a smaller population, but they've had contact, test,trace for months now and had a strict lockdown until a week ago.  They have ONE case of Covid 19 in NZ now.She said if anyone didn't have a phone with the app, they had to sign when entering or exiting any place.  We are far too sloppy here and so are many of our citizens.

Bunny Payne ● 2137d

Phillipa, they may have laughed the first time I wore one out … I had it inside out and upside down :))

Bunny Payne ● 2137d

Haha brilliant David.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-germany-defences-i/pass-the-salt-the-minute-details-that-helped-germany-build-virus-defences-idUSKCN21R1DB

Ed Robinson ● 2137d

"I believe Germany's first case was due to passing a salt pot."Sounds painful too. Best advice is not to swallow a salt pot in the first place.

David Ainsworth ● 2137d

Government policy is not to stop the spread but just slow it down so that the NHS can cope.If it were to stop the spread then we would follow best practice which would include mouth and nose covering, test at airports etc.Japan did not have a lock down but they do wear mouth and nose covering. It worth looking at their stats.With flu killing people every year which we just accept perhaps we should have introduced this courtesy years ago.

Ed Robinson ● 2137d

There is still very little published information on how and where people pass on the infection in the UK. Probably due to a lack of tracing.Looking a few months ago into documented cases in the far east most seemed to be in doors. This raises questions around air conditioning and filtering etc.I believe Germany's first case was due to passing a salt pot. A reminder that salt can be dangerous I guess.Without stats on how and where we are really flying blind.Let's hope the sea breeze is a natural inhibitor against it spreading.

Ed Robinson ● 2137d

Here you go:-https://www.spreadshirt.com/shop/design/we+wear+masks+mens+premium+t-shirt-D5e96ca2b2051765b018dbb4f?sellable=rAka5OXvQBiM1dQ8XgDO-812-7I have found ruder ones, but I fear the Forum Code.

David Ainsworth ● 2137d

@MW"I would go one further: wear a mask and also a T-shirt which says "Where is your mask you selfish prat?"Bravo! 👏🏻 Me too Michael.  A savvy entrepreneur could make a fortune producing these.

Sue Hammond ● 2137d

The unlocking of lockdown is happening way too quickly.  They are no longer following the science but if they think it’ll help the polls they would be wrong. Way too many people think easing lockdown should be much more cautious. Presumably not the covidiots on the beaches though.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2137d

Wearing a mask doesn't protect the wearer - it protects other people from the gems/virus that the wearer might have, apparently.I'm more concerned  by overcrowded public transport and  fxxxing idiots who are crowding English beaches. In Wales people aren't allowed to travel further than 5 miles from their homes; in France  the 100km distance is  only just being  lifted. Why are we able to travel any distance we like?

Lucille Grant ● 2137d

Well, there are a lot of offers from firms who will print your own design T-shirt online.As I thought that I remembered, Snappy Snaps offer such a service. "Order Personalised T-shirts at your nearest store".

David Ainsworth ● 2137d

I'm at the stage still at which I would like to buy such a T-shirt. I have masks (home-made). Can you or Mr. Ixer help?

Michael Winstanley ● 2138d

"I would go one further: wear a mask and also a T-shirt which says "Where is your mask you selfish prat?""If you don't know how to upload a photo of this T-shirt, ask Mr Ixer.

David Ainsworth ● 2138d

There is still a great deal of public confusion about this.the first message to get through is that a mask will not protect you - you still need to do all the 2m stuff, hand-washing etc.Then when that has finally sunk in, if everyone else wears a mask YOU are better protected. So wearing a mask is a selfless and public-spirited action which everyone ought to indulge in.I would go one further: wear a mask and also a T-shirt which says "Where is your mask you selfish prat?"

Michael Winstanley ● 2138d

or laughed?

Philippa Bond ● 2138d

I have started wearing one in the supermarket, not going out much apart from that.  My sister who has been nursing for many years says it's probably better for protecting other people from you, than protecting you from others.  But then nobody has actually coughed or sneezed close to me, thank goodness.

Bunny Payne ● 2138d

agreed. I was out today with mine

Matt Palmer ● 2138d

Yes, Sue, Jonathan, agree. I usually carry one so I can wear it if I'm likely to come into close proximity with others for a while - still keeping 2 metres minimum! The spread of the virus by droplets seems to be a function of distance, space, airflow (wind or aircon). Just have to be careful not to adjust one's mask after touching any surfaces ... If only it had the decency to follow the inverse square rule ...

Michael Ixer ● 2138d

Sue, I agree when on public transport or in enclosed public spaces.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2138d