Masks are here to stay aren’t they?

[Redbrickwall]

JVT seemed to make that very clear tonight.

I’m gutted if this is true. I only have hearing in 1 ear and rely on lip reading more than I realised. I find masks awful and avoid going anywhere where I have to wear one .

[Ethelfleda]

Legally, no.
Culturally? Perhaps.

Which would mean that you wouldn’t need to wear one if you didn’t want to once they’ve lifted that restriction. I personally be burning mine when that day comes

[FelicityBob]

Don’t see how they can make us once the vaccine is implemented and there is no longer a big risk of virus transmission?

[tootyfruitypickle]

No they’re not, he meant that they may become part of our culture like in parts of Asia, but that’s not everyone, all the time, and is not mandatory.

I love him but I think he’s wrong on this actually, being forced to wear masks is different to a culture where people have individually chosen to wear them.

[Sparklingbrook]

I haven't read or seen anything that makes me think otherwise sadly. At least not in the near future.

[NotAKaren]

He corrected himself to say what he meant was that it might be something people personally continue with out of choice.

[tortoiseshell1985]

No chance minute it's not mandatory it goes in the bin
Makes you wonder how quickly our civil liberties will be restored...

[KitKatastrophe]

I dont see how they can justify making it mandatory once a large number of the population are vaccinated. JVT indicated that the virus will become endemic. We never wore masks for other endemic viruses e.g. flu, colds, so why would we need to for covid?

They might be "advised" though and people might wear them anyway, but I think the numbers will dwindle. Most people only wear them for show anyway, and don't follow mask hygiene, so they're not doing much.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Burning mine as soon as vaccinated, fuck em! I hate them I hate them I hate them!!!!!

[Waxonwaxoff0]

No. They aren't.

I think he meant that some people might feel more comfortable wearing them going forward like in some Asian countries.

Most people won't carry on wearing masks. I won't.

[Redbrickwall]

Oh this has made me feel so much better! I heard him and then starting moaning to my husband so didn’t hear the rest!

Do you think they’ll be mandatory for all of next year?

[kittensarecute]

I don't mind masks but I hope social distancing is ditched at the earliest opportunity!

[SnuggyBuggy]

Too many people hate them for them to stay

[Sparklingbrook]

I want to keep the 2 metre rule for anyone I don't know and I don't want hand shaking to return either.

[herecomesthsun]

I have respiratory disease, I will be online shopping and wearing masks sometimes, for the foreseeable

[RedMarauder]

He meant that when people had a cold like in some Asian countries they would wear a mask indoors to protect others.

In my case I would fight to work at home as I always have colds.

[CodenameVillanelle]

@Sparklingbrook

I haven't read or seen anything that makes me think otherwise sadly. At least not in the near future.

What about the tens of thousands of vaccines on their way to be administered, have you missed that?

[willitbetonight]

I said this to my husband last week. It won't be mandatory but to be honest it's sensible not to be falling ill constantly if you are in any way vulnerable.

[Sparklingbrook]

Of course not @CodenameVillanelle. But thanks for being patronising. What I meant was I haven't heard or read anything about a specific timeline WRT mask wearing or not.

[theThreeofWeevils]

It would be a very good thing if people continue wearing them on public transport, in shops and in the workplace etc if they feel they might have a cold, sore throat or whatever coming on.

[tortoiseshell1985]

The best moment will be not listening to his and Whitty doom merchant act

[kittensarecute]

@RedMarauder

He meant that when people had a cold like in some Asian countries they would wear a mask indoors to protect others.

In my case I would fight to work at home as I always have colds.

I can actually see this happening. Funnily enough I was talking to my mum about this the other day and I will definitely be wearing a mask whenever I have a cold. I think most people I know will too.

[AllAussieAdventures]

Masks are not mandatory where I am. But I quite like wearing one on the bus, so might keep it up once this is over.

I also wear it to/from the bus for hayfever and it has made a huge difference to my symptoms this year.

[DappledThings]

Nah. They will stop being mandatory by early Spring once loads of people are vaccinated. Some people might choose to keep wearing them if they have a cold. Most won't.

[DobbyTheHouseElk]

I think people will wear a mask if they have a cold, but not day to day like now.

[blowinahoolie]

I think we are looking well into next year before face coverings are only advisable by the government. Wish things were just back to normal.