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".

[naomi24]

It's the most welcome news I've heard for a long time. I can't wait to ditch the masks.

[Ken4155]

^
Know what you mean, Maggie. Not everyone possesses those two traits.

[douglas9401]

Abdicating rules and enforcement so he can get on with decorating and such I'd say.

There could be trouble ahead.

[pat2604]

Simply, I will wear a mask if I deem it necessary regardless of Boris and Co. Probably because of the lack of common sense in rather a lot of people. If I lived in a crowded area I would wear a mask. It really isn't necessary where I live, except in supermarkets and large shops.

[naomi24]

Ken, Haaa! How very noble of you.

[pat2604]

I will probably be more likely to wear a mask during winter months because I think that it's highly likely there will be a winter peak, as there is with flu.

[pat2604]

I hate wearing a mask too Naomi. For some reason, it makes my nose run continuously, yuk!!

[Ken4155]

I actually walked around my local Tesco for 10 minutes without a mask on, last week. Went up to the clothing department for some jeans and a couple of T-shirts and it was only when i was coming back down to the food section that i realised i hadn't put it on! No-one said a word but i felt really guilty :-/
I suppose, like many, i will wear one as and when asked to do so. I'm sure there will be some shops and stores where the wearing of masks will be required for just a tad longer.

[Prudie]

I would also be thrilled. I think all along the masses have been told to wear masks as a visible tangible way to make us feel safer when in fact if we weren't in a pandemic most health experts would admit they are nearly useless in preventing transmission. They have become like a child's comfort blanket, mentally helpful but physically pointless.

[mushroom25]

// Simply, I will wear a mask if I deem it necessary regardless of Boris and Co. Probably because of the lack of common sense in rather a lot of people. If I lived in a crowded area I would wear a mask. //

the mask doesn't protect you; it protects others from you. the only time an individual may deem it necessary is if there's a risk they themselves are infected. otherwise, as an act of community focused altruism, its benefits are dubious.

[pat2604]

I am regularly now visiting two people in hospital and keep having to blow my ruddy nose!!

[naomi24]

Oh dear, ken. Not quite so noble then.

[Ken4155]

Naomi, what's noble of me? Having common sense and personal responsibility? I'm sure you possess those qualities, too :-)

[ichkeria]

“ Boris Johnson has signed off on plans to end the compulsory wearing of face masks from July 19”

Has he?

[pat2604]

I know Mushroom and am fully aware that it protects other people, but there is an element of protection in wearing one and if I happen to have covid and not know it, then I will be protecting other people. Ultiminately then it will protect me! Personally, I think a lot of people will be wearing masks this winter. However, as I rarely go anywhere with people, am retired and never travel by public transport,what I do will not affect others.

[Bobbisox1]

I’d be very happy to bin mine too , I’m sick of them!

[ichkeria]

Obviously there is an element of self protection in wearing a mask, although it depends on the mask, the situation and the person wearing it.

[pat2604]

Wearing a mask for me is not comfort blanket syndrome Prudie. Hate the damn things. But I will never protest or show my displeasure if I go anywhere where they require me to wear one.

[New Judge]

//Simply, I will wear a mask if I deem it necessary regardless of Boris and Co. Probably because of the lack of common sense in rather a lot of people.//

Then your logic is flawed. As mushroom says, It is widely accepted that any benefits that arise from the public wearing non-medical grade face coverings (such that they are) are afforded only to those around the wearer. There is virtually no benefit to the wearer. So the protection you seem to believe you will miss by those around you exercising a lack of common sense (i.e. behaving normally by not wearing muzzle) will not be replaced by you wearing one. On top of that the risk of self-contamination by untrained and undisciplined people wearing face coverings has always been high (though not widely publicised). Although the overall risks have considerably reduced, that risk remains nonetheless.

Of course if it provides you with comfort and confidence (which is where the justification for face coverings seems to be heading) then that's all well and good. But you should not fool yourself into believing it will protect you from the lack of common sense or personal responsibility in others.

[Prudie]

Pat i have also worn one without fail throughout but by comfort blanket, and proved on this thread, I mean so many people think a bit of paper or material has protected themselves and more nobly of protecting others from catching covid. I believe an honest scientist would refute that or put its efficacy at about 5% if that. I'd suggest that those who put so much faith in masks wear them for the rest of their lives because they are never going to feel safe to move freely again.