Face Masks

[maggiebee]

I do realise that, at the moment, this will only apply in England but wondered how folks felt about it?

Boris Johnson has signed off on plans to end the compulsory wearing of face masks from July 19, The Telegraph understands, as the Prime Minister prepares to declare this week that the link between Covid-19 infections and hospitalisations has finally been broken.

Mr Johnson is expected to lay out a blueprint for how England will live with the virus, as ministers prepare to replace swathes of legal restrictions with a call for “common sense” and “personal responsibility”.

Sounds great but I do worry about "common sense" and "personal responsibility".

[gulliver1]

"The Prime Minister prepares to declare this week that the link between covid 19 infections and hospitalisations has finally been broken". Boris is talking his usual rubbish again , and the people who believe him are the ones that want to believe him.

[cashier]

It isn't a question of wanting to believe what Boris says, I'm not sure anyone does anyway, it's more (for me) the belief it's time to get on with things. We've protected the NHS for long enough. Life is about taking chances, so take one and get back to normal.

[Zacs-Master]

Figures for hospitalisation of COVID cases:
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/healthcare

[pat2604]

Gulliver, had you chequed the hospital figures before you posted? They say a lot about this the vaccination programme and how well it has worked.

[Zacs-Master]

That’s exactly why I posted a link. I’m not sure Gulli is the type for facts and figures. They’re more of a ‘criticise and to hell with the truth’ type person.

[pat2604]

I think you are right ZM! Of course though, It's Boris and the cronies that work out the stats!!

[ToraToraTora]

prudie: "They have become like a child's comfort blanket, mentally helpful but physically pointless." - bang on. I'll not be wearing one if I don't have to.

[Prudie]

In case those who want to ditch masks are genuinely either selfish or foolhardy may I ask those (on this thread or certainly reading it) who are of the opposite opinion - such as bobb, pat, gulliver and indeed sqad - when would it be appropriate for the govt to drop mask regulations if ever?

[diddlydo]

Shock horror - once again I agree with TTT and Naomi!! I shall ditch my mask in all circumstances once it becomes legal so to do. If some people actually want to carry on with their piece of rag, so be it but don't make the rest of us suffer.

[Sqad]

Prudie..........the wearing of masks is NEVER going to be mandatory ,but we must never get i to agitation where people who want to wear a mask, for whatever reason are criticised or humiliated.
The same applies to people who want to jettison the mask.

There is no fixed " cut off" point for making a decision one way or another.

[Sqad]

"agitation " is a " situation. "

[cashier]

One of the female scientists was recorded in The Times yesterday saying masks should be worn forever. Already others are kicking off about not being forced to wear them, I still maintain they are paid too much as every time a date for lifting restrictions approaches they start moaning about how it is too early. They don't want the gravy train to stop.

[pat2604]

Prudie. Please read more carefully what I said. Where did I say that people who don't wear masks are selfish are foolhardy. And I agree with Sqad about your apparent agitation.

[pat2604]

My post at 14.12.

[cashier]

Just seen an ad on here for child and adult Flu Masks, that's what they're calling them now. We've managed all this time without them, we can manage another few centuries.

[Prudie]

Sqad I absolutely agree and I would never criticise anyone who feels vulnerable enough to wear one for ever but I'm asking the other end of the stick. When or what statistic will make it OK for mask dropping, I'm asking pat, bobb etc - those who think the time isn't right?

[Bobbisox1]

Why not just let that feel the need to wear one do just that, and let those like me say no more , let’s face it no one blinks an eye at Japanese tourists wearing them and have done for years for pollution

[Bobbisox1]

*those*

[Vagus]

I feel there are going to be certain situations when I will wear a mask for quite a long time yet. What those situations are will be remain to be seen.

[Sqad]

/////When or what statistic will make it OK for mask dropping,////

There will never be a specific statistic, it will be a matter of z
"opinion" as to the time of mask dropping, an opinion as the result of scientific and political evaluation, the scientists being experts in their field and the politicians duly elected at the time of concern.