Making the wearing of a mask manditory

[weepingwillow22]

Has anyone else noticed the worldometer projections for UK deaths have changed significantly since the relaxation of restrictions last week?
covid19.healthdata.org/united-kingdom

The deaths are now predicted to be back up to 800 a day by november with a second peak in cases surpassing the first one.

The graphs do however show that this can be avoided if mask wearing is made compulsory.

AIBU to think that the wearing of a mask or visor (excepting those eho cannot wear them for medical conditions) should be made manditory in all indoor public places in order to avoid this second peak.

If cases rise again to the extent projected here another national lockdown will be required resulting in more job losses, school closures and unnecessary deaths.

Surely the wearing of a mask is a small price to pay to avoid a second peak particularly as the scientific evidence now points to it being highly effective in preventing asymptomatic spread.
www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/06/417906/still-confused-about-masks-heres-science-behind-how-face-masks-prevent

@canigooutyet

Thank you *@TaxTheRatFarms* that’s really interesting and informative.

When you lived in Japan where the masks designed for this, a mix, home made etc?

Same with readers from other countries such as Japan who have a history of their use.

Is there any advice on the glasses issue others have mentioned and which types of material are the best to help this? Tips like that that could potentially be helpful to others.

It was a bit of a mix but most people wore disposable surgical masks. Some people wore cotton masks, and teenagers especially seemed to have some very cool designs! Not a lot were homemade, as they’re really easy to buy.

For the glasses problem, the surgical type masks have a wire/flexible plastic at the top so you can shape it to your nose and stop the air escaping. I’ll have to check with dh as he wore glasses so he’s more of an expert

I would be fine wearing a mask inside shops. I’ve been avoiding shops as much as possible anyway and tending to do everything online. However if your insisting on mask wearing surely pubs and restaurants will have to close again? How do you eat your dinner with a mask on 🤷‍♀️

I get their has been conflicting advise regarding masks, but this is probably because we are learning more about the virus. I don’t have an issue with things changing as we learn more, but people seem to forget that it’s unprecedented.

@Flynn999, I agree that this is contradictory. I think (but I’m not in Dominic Cummings’s head, so what do I know?) that the overall thinking is that we need to balance saving lives, and saving the economy. This means minimising risks wherever possible, but accepting that some businesses can only be saved if some people are willing to take some risks.

One the one hand, it is perfectly easy to wear a mask when shopping or on public transport, therefore we should all do it.

Conversely, you can’t drink or eat while wearing a mask, therefore an exception needs to be made for hospitality businesses, or all restaurants and pubs will go bust.

Sadly, there is ample evidence in other countries (Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong) where the virus once seemed to be under control, that new waves of cases are likely to take root in bars and restaurants. It is undeniable that eating and drinking out is one of the most risky things to do, especially when alcohol is involved, as people get louder and closer.

Hong Kong is currently into the third (and worst) wave of cases, and as of today all restaurants are shut down in the evening.

I think everyone should exercise a high degree of caution before eating out - irrespective of Rishi’s meal deals.

@Flynn999
You are allowed to remove them for the purposes of eating/drinking - it's one of the exemptions everyone has.

@TaxTheRatFarms Thank you for also clarifying this.

Would be great to hear from more posters living in countries that do routinely wear masks about the types used.

Would you use a homemade mask without the filter as we are being asked to do? It's not aimed at anyone in general and I really understand if no-one answers it, and I don't mean to put anyone on the "spot".

[quote Yellownotblue]@famousforwrongreason,

the filters are a universal size, they work with all brands of cotton masks.

Here’s a link to the typical filter: www.hktvmall.com/hktv/en/main/COLOR-STYLE-INTERNATIONAL-DEVELOPMENT-LIMITED/s/H7628001/Personal-Care-%26-Health/Personal-Care-%26-Health/Medicine/Surgical-Masks/50PCS-PM25-Mask-Filter-Sheets-5-Layers-Anti-Bacteria-Anti-Virus/p/H7628001_S_M200011

It’s a PM 2.5 filter made up of 5 layers.

A pack of 50 filters costs around £6.[/quote]
Thanks @Yellownotblue that's amazingly helpful.
@canigooutyet, isn't nice to have at least one thing explained clearly after all these months of fumbling around in the dark?! 🤣

It is probably selfish, but if I worried about what could happen to others never mind me, I'd never leave my bed. Media has created a lot of hysteria in recent months.

Tbh @famousforwrongreason I've just been doing whatever I was doing before to stop getting these things. Sometimes it's worked. Other times it hasn't. But then that's our health for us. Never know what it's going to do next!!

@Yellownotblue the additional waves are shocking. Is this still the same one from April/May? I remember vaguely reading something then, and suddenly talk seems more like it's a new one. And obviously things get "lost" in translation. (Sorry I know off topic)

Very good compliance in my area of Scotland. Amazing how quickly you get used to wearing one . I think some people may be worrying unnecessarily ( and I say that as someone prone to claustrophobia)

Very good compliance in my area of Scotland. Amazing how quickly you get used to wearing one

It's not people getting used to it. It's wanting to avoid a fine.

Very good compliance in my area of Scotland. Amazing how quickly you get used to wearing one.

According to dh, most people around here seem to think they breath through their chins...

@InsaneInTheViralMembrane

15-20 minutes. It was excruciating and I wanted to press the button to be let out. But the more you wriggle the longer it takes. I’ve had a lot of them so I know the drill - but I know very few will cope as well as I did.

Hmm. If anything, I've been surprised at how many MR patients just get on with it, despite the requirement to wear a (non-nose shaper bit of metal) paper mask, where possible (99%?).

@InsaneInTheViralMembrane

15-20 minutes. It was excruciating and I wanted to press the button to be let out. But the more you wriggle the longer it takes. I’ve had a lot of them so I know the drill - but I know very few will cope as well as I did.

Hmm. If anything, I've been surprised at how many MR patients just get on with it, despite the requirement to wear a (non-nose shaper bit of metal) paper mask, where possible (99%?).

Aaaand- they've just become compulsory in 11(?🧐) days' time.....

@Miljea

Aaaand- they've just become compulsory in 11(?🧐) days' time.....

How fucking weird. Its probably one of the easier changes to implement, why wait so long (again)?

I presume there will be the same exceptions (very wide) as on the trains under the current regs - ie not a mask but a nose and mouth covering and not obligatory for a vast raft of reasons for many.