Beat The Heat And Go Mask-Less!

[diddlydo]

I was in a huge Tesco at &.15 this morning actually enjoying doing my shopping mask-free. Nobody gave me a dirty look nor suggested that I should have a rag round my face. There were quite a few Tesco employees doing the "picking" for online orders - none of them was wearing a mask. The middle-aged lady on my checkout was also mask-free and we agreed how wonderful it was to be able to exchange smiles. Enough said.

[david small]

Knickerless and braless, stop it girls. I’m overheating already.

[burlyshirley]

Sorry david !

I've had no emails either lb.

[Espresso125]

theres a BIG difference ask asking /requesting you to wear a mask and it being compulsory. mine off and staying off.
all the scientific and data shows masks are pointless, fact !
let the sheep continue to wear them

[Redhelen72]

Can you please provide a link to the scientific data.
Thank you

[gness]

Be an interesting read, Helen.

[sunny-dave]

If Espresso25 is having trouble locating a proper scientific paper to back up his/her claims (as I suspect he/she will), I suggest looking under fantasy/fiction.

[tiggerblue10]

I guess I'm a sheep then.

[sunny-dave]

Meanwhile here are some facts ...

https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-what-does-the-science-actually-say-about-face-masks-12349337

[sunny-dave]

What do the experts say?

In the case of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, the CDCTrusted Source notes that simple face coverings or masks can reduce its spread.

It recommends that people wear a face covering or mask to cover their nose and mouth when in the community. This is another public health measure people should take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in addition to social or physical distancing, frequent handwashing, and other preventive actions.

The CDCTrusted Source recommends healthcare workers wear face masks when working with patients who have the flu.

The CDC also recommendsTrusted Source patients who show signs of respiratory infections be given masks while they’re in healthcare settings until they can be isolated.

If you’re sick and need to be around others, properly wearing a mask can protect those around you from contracting the virus and developing an illness.

[sunny-dave]

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/the-simple-science-behind-why-masks-work

I could go on - but will await some proper rebuttals - NB Youtube and nutjob influencers don't count.

[gness]

Dave, is there a difference between wearing a good mask properly and wearing a rag or something crumpled you've pulled out of your pocket when you have to?

[sunny-dave]

Well yes - wearing a damp rag or a 12 month old crumpled mask is not clever - needlessly harmful to the wearer, but still of some limited use to the community.

But a decent fabric mask is (much) better than nothing and the FFP2 masks now mandated in much of Europe protect the wearer and others very efficiently.

[naomi24]

We went maskless in the pub last night. I hadn’t realised how liberating it would feel.

[choux]

Back in the day - my mother's generation - sanitary towels didn't really exist so the ladies all had ***** rags. Whenever I see the word "rags" that evokes the memory.

Still using masks here, and happy so to do.

[New Judge]

//Dave, is there a difference between wearing a good mask properly and wearing a rag or something crumpled you've pulled out of your pocket when you have to?//

Indeed there is. None of the studies which extol the virtues of face coverings say much about the risk of self-contamination posed by untrained, undisciplined people who use them. Virtually nobody follows the rules for wearing a face covering. I have seen them pulled from pockets containing keys, money, cigarettes. I have seen them dropped onto the pavement and then picked up and put on. I have seen them pulled out of bags containing groceries. I have seen them placed on restaurant and pub tables and simply picked up when the user goes to the toilet. I have seen a user go outside to smoke, taking the mask off as he leaves and replacing it after he has stubbed out his cigarette on the pavement.

I would be no different. On the rare occasions I have worn a mask I have found myself doing none of the recommended things to keep me safe from self-contamination. That's why I've kept my use of them to an absolute minimum and now I've abandoned their use entirely.

[diddlydo]

Well said Naomi and NJ - there must be a lot like us out there but, sadly, the majority on this site prefer to behave like sheep.

[Gromit]

Freedom Day (sic) is nothing but political spin.
Nothing has changed.
Every benchmark, daily tally, and Government stat is going the wrong direction already.
By the Autumn the figures will be very embarrassing for the Government and the economy will still be stagnant. No gain - but more pain. And another lockdown inevitable.

[ToraToraTora]

sounds like you are looking forward to it gromit.