Who's For Wearing Face Masks/Coverings?

[diddlydo]

Should we all be wearing them in public places?

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/07/wear-face-masks--coverings-over-nose-and-mouth-stresses-no-10

[mushroom25]

//I'd be really interested to know what percentage of the population are asymptomatic shedders at any one time //

there's no way of knowing. which means that establishments must treat everyone as a potential walking COVID timebomb. If current thinking is proved to be correct (and the virus is spread as an airborne mist) this will effectively mean masks must be mandated in practically every public situation. this would put a lot of small shops, bars, restaurants in an almost impossible situation.

[woofgang]

I think there must be some way of making an educated guess.

[Apc2604]

I would wear one for a hospital visit or to our huge health centre. I am unlikely to go anywhere crowded, but if had to I would wear one. I am over 70 with health issues.

[teacake44]

I think may be you're all missing the obvious here, neither Boris, and mainly Hancock don't want to be seen contradicting the advise they've been dishing out over the last 6 months, there way of working is, don't make it compulsory until we have a few more thousand deaths, then we will have no choice but to, ( sort of admit we got it wrong again) :0)

[JJ109]

Face masks were compulsory everywhere in Thailand at the height of the pandemic over here. It didn't really have to be enforced, everybody wore them, and looked down on people that didn't to such a degree that those people were shamed into wearing one.

Result 58 covid related deaths in Thailand and 44000 covid deaths in the UK. Obviously I am not saying this is simply down to wearing masks, more the attitude of the population. More people disobeying advice in the UK that would never happen in such numbers over here. The stats can prove anything that you want them to, but those two figures stand out to me!

Life is getting back to normal over here, to what it was before covid, but we still wear masks when in large numbers, on transport etc.

[maggiebee]

Rules may be slightly different in Scotland, but you can't go on public transport without having your face covered either with a mask or scarf. Also recommended for supermarkets.

[tomus42]

Medical professionals wear them in hospitals. I doubt they'd waste the time or money doing so if there was no point.

So I think I'll go with what the medical professionals do rather than what random anonymous people off the Answerbank think.

[teacake44]

tomus, random anonymous advice can be very helpful some times, in many cases there are life long experiences on here, near and far, so don't knock it. :0)

[aelmpvw]

i'm puzzled why tomus42 bothered opening the thread in the first place

[teacake44]

^^ I'm puzzled why you think he did. :0)

[diddlydo]

Tomus - I think we all know that medics etc wear them but they use proper surgical grade ones - not a random piece of fabric which only acts as token compliance when e.g. on public transport.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Here is a question: you have to stand 2 metres from someone shedding the covid virus and they are going to sneeze in your direction -an experiment if you like. You have the choice to face them with a mask or face covering, or bare faced. Which would you choose? Seriously would anyone forgo the face covering and let someone sneeze all over them as it 'won't make a difference'?

[teacake44]

The problem on here is sometimes folk just won't admit their wrong, even if they know they are, I've been for mask coverings/masks since January, but got shot down every time, read jj @11.40

[dannyk13]

APG, The mask would stop the germs from directly getting into your nose and mouth but there would be plenty that would remain on the uncovered part of your face and droplets from these could get under your mask.

[EdmundD]

Me

[diddlydo]

Or your home-made mask wouldn't stop anything at close range.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Danny for the experiment you would immediately take off the mask and dispose of it. No one can seriously say that in an acute situation (such as someone coughing over you on a train) that a face covering would not reduce the likelihood of you being exposed to the virus. Scientists are saying that its the amount of exposure that defines how badly you react to it, this is still work in progress, but in my opinion if the facemask reduces the effects of exposure to the virus by even 50% then its better than nothing.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Edmund //Me// Lovely, then you will cough and sputter over someone else thus passing on the virus to perhaps someone more vulnerable.

[alavahalf]

@ 12.30 .. Just because you personally are not capable, don't tar everyone with the same brush. There are plenty people making home made masks that are far superior to any shop bought version.

[dannyk13]

APG. you seem to be ignoring the fact that some germs will finish up on the uncovered part of your face and, even if you remove the mask some droplets could still get onto your mouth or nose.I agree that a mask may protect to some extent.