Ad campaign needed to tell people to cover their noses with their masks...

[bluewedge]

Many don't seem to be wearing them over their noses...

[Chaotic45]

I think an ad campaign covering lots of things related to covoid would be brilliant and I can't understand why this hasn't been done. We shouldn't underestimate the number of people who haven't seen or heard basic information.

[MRex]

I agree. It also needs to cover:

• Not taking your mask off to talk to your customers and colleagues
• Not giving a big deliberate huff out of air when you take off your mask to have a drink of water in an enclosed public space with others
• At work, you are at risk with your colleague in the van as much or more than outside in the street, so keep the mask on.

But most of all - A MASK IS NOT A MODESTY COVER FOR YOUR BEARD, IT IS FOR YOUR FACE.

[Xenia]

MR, that isn't correct. Shop workers do not have to wear masks so saying not to take off masks to talk does not really make much sense.

[MRex]

@Xenia - there is a difference between exemptions, required mask usage and ways of using a mask safely. Exempt people won't have a mask on their chin, they won't be wearing one. Anyone else who wears a mask (through their own choice or where it's mandated e.g. a hospital) should know that its primary purpose is to be worn while in close proximity e.g. speaking. If they choose not to wear a mask then they can keep more distance and others know to give them more space.

[middleager]

Yesterday in a shop a man removed his mask and proceded to sneeze around the store. He made no attempt to catch the sneeze and just sneezed into the air and over the produce. Yuk. His mask remained under his chin.

I'm all for an ad campaign, along with a campaign on basic manners that if you cough or sneeze you attempt to cover it.

[Redolent]

This image will suffice.

[TheDrsDocMartens]

I’ve seen people moving masks to vape too. In the street but standing close to other people.

Does vaping and exhaling smoke potentially spread virus?

[Morfin]

I actually think there should be ad campaign for lots of things, stranger danger, float to live (see the amazing 10 year old in Swansea) crossing the road, adverts could be targeted, so a crossing the road advert on you tube before a fortnite video. I don't think it's patronising, I think it spreads information for those that wouldn't access it normally. Mask one would be great, if you see things enough they tend to go in.

[Morfin]

@Redolent

This image will suffice.

[Yellowfeather]

I agree! I give the people who are half-wearing one a Paddington Bear Hard Stare (from behind my mask).

[SexTrainGlue]

"Does vaping and exhaling smoke potentially spread virus?"

No more than talking with the same amount of puff. Way less than coughing/sneezing.

The droplets with the virus are typically large enough that they fall faster than exhaled smoke/vape scent molecules. So it's not the case that if you smell smoke you are at risk.

But it is a useful analogy, for those of us old enough tomrememcpber, about the difference in intensity of smell from smoking indoors, compared to sitting near one outside, compared to ones at distance outdoors.

(Yes, I know Covid is much more risky than second hand smoke, also that it doesn't stay airborne for as long as smoke, I'm just trying to show how long and how far expelled air hags around)

[AuntieStella]

@Morfin

I actually think there should be ad campaign for lots of things, stranger danger, float to live (see the amazing 10 year old in Swansea) crossing the road, adverts could be targeted, so a crossing the road advert on you tube before a fortnite video. I don't think it's patronising, I think it spreads information for those that wouldn't access it normally. Mask one would be great, if you see things enough they tend to go in.

We used to have public information films which did that - remember the Green Cross Code Man ?

Then there was the terrifying one about not trespassing on the railways

(We need a new one for cyclists about always stopping at red lights)

[MRex]

Then there was the terrifying one about not trespassing on the railways
I'd forgotten than one, you mentioning it brought it all back. Impactful for sure.

[middleager]

Yes, those ads (still remember the electricity pylon one and the water one) did have an impact, as terryifying as they were.

[ThisCharmingPenisHaver]

I agree with this.

I'm exempt but yesterday on the bus I was death-stared/tutted at for the whole journey by a man with his mask under his nose. Presumably he did this for easy picking access, which he proceeded to do regularly. Then when it was time to get off he pressed the bell and touched every seat back/pole on his way with his nose-picky fingers.

[FinnyStory]

We had an hour long meeting with the consultant who will remove DH's kidney last week, including telling us how important it is that DH isolates between now and then. He didn't have his mask covering his nose. I should have said something but....well it was quite a stressful meeting already.

If a senior doctor doesn't get it, it's hardly surprising the public doesn't. It also made me wonder how important it really is or of he knows something I don't about just how little of "it" is around now.

[Smileyoriley]

@middleager that sounds gross! People just don't seem to get the sneezing/coughing thing at all and seem to go through the motions of mask wearing without having any insight. It needs to be addressed as a public health issue. I remember the early days of enforced seat belt wearing when people would find a million and one excuses why it didn't apply to them until non compliance became frowned upon by the majority and they just shut up. Any emphasis on very basic science and hygiene would help, plus an explanation that until things are safer any contact with others carries a risk which needs to be mitigated as much as possible.

[StuntNun]

We need a new one for cyclists about always stopping at red lights

Oh god yes I found this out the hard way this week crossing at a Pelican crossing not realising the two cyclists heading towards me weren't going to stop at the red light but were instead going to swerve around me at speed.

[nutellatoast]

Definitely need an ad campaign for this and reminding people that social distancing is still needed.
I was in town yesterday and saw several people with masks only covering mouth, half a dozen people with no masks at all in shops (why do the shops let them in or serve them with no mask??) and loads completely ignoring social distancing.

Huge numbers of the general public don't seem to give a hoot about preventing the spread of the virus or are just too stupid to follow the simple rules.

[MRex]

I had thought those with a nose out might be people who find wearing a mask too difficult (whether because of breathing issues or anxiety), and that's the most they can manage. When that's the case, given that more particles come out of the mouth than the nose (presuming not an idiot sneezing), it is still better to wear it than not. The huge numbers though make it seem like this isn't the situation and it's largely people who just don't know how to wear a mask.

[IceCreamAndCandyfloss]

I agree plus all the other things like social distancing etc.

Really hard hitting as many seem to feel they don’t have to abide by the guidelines, likely as they haven’t had a a case or serious case in their family and friends circle.

[DinosaurOfFire]

@nutellatoast those people may have been exempt from wearing them.

An ad campaign on proper mask wearing would definitely be a good idea, and reminding people that they still need to keep social distancing rules as well.

[FinnyStory]

I don't know, if doctors can't do it properly, in a confined surgery, perhaps it really doesn't matter very much and it's just another thing for people to judge each other about.

[ThisCharmingPenisHaver]

why do the shops let them in or serve them with no mask

@nutellatoast because some people are exempt, and to deny someone entry to a shop because of a hidden disability or health condition is illegal.

Shops also must not ask for proof (there isn't any anyway and the government have said proof of exemption is not required) or for details of medical conditions.

[ThisCharmingPenisHaver]

Actually this as campaign could also raise awareness of the fact that there are exemptions and not everyone without a mask is an anti-mask idiot.

I was really pleased to hear tannoy announcements in Asda, Sainsbury's and M&S when I've been in recently reminding customers that some people are exempt from wearing masks and may also be unable to socially distance, and asking for understanding of this.