Face coverings recommended in Scotland, what do we think?

[Noworrieshere]

Scotland's First Minister is recommending face coverings are used in enclosed public spaces.
I was at the post office today and both staff members were wearing masks. I felt a bit guilty actually that I wasn't wearing anything and was just breathing all over them so I think I will wear a scarf over my face from now on. Not sure I'm going so far as to make an actual mask yet, I've got an antibacterial buff thing, I'll wear that.

Sounds like the advice to wear masks came from SAGE and she decided to implement it, whereas no decision has yet been made for England?
mobile.twitter.com/tnewtondunn/status/1255106683560513536

I guess Holyrood having a BSL interpreter is political points scoring too then? Not just common bloody sense?

I think she's basically saying it to highlight the fact it is not guaranteed to protect against the virus. People have started fashioning their own and wearing them so she wants to make it clear they are not a sure fire way to stop spreading it but if you want to wear one go ahead. Its not mandatory.

I think it's a step further nirvana, its being recommended, not just a "go for it but its useless".

This is the text from the Scottish Government website:

"Use of face coverings
Questions have been asked about the use of facial coverings and we address that here.

Physical distancing, hand washing and respiratory hygiene, are the most important and effective measures we can all adopt to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Therefore the wearing of facial coverings must not be used as an alternative to any of these other precautions.

The evidence on the use of face coverings is limited, but there may be some benefit in wearing a facial covering when you leave the house and enter enclosed spaces, especially where physical distancing is more difficult and where there is a risk of close contact with multiple people you do not usually meet. Examples include, traveling on public transport or entering a food shop where it is not always possible to maintain a 2 metre distance from another customer. There is no evidence to suggest there might be a benefit outdoors, unless in an unavoidable crowded situation, where there may be some benefit.

As some people can have the virus but experience no symptoms (asymptomatic infection), wearing a face covering in the situations outlined above may provide some level of protection against transmission to other people in close proximity.

However, it remains the case that anyone with symptoms and all members of their household (whether they have symptoms or not), must self-isolate and adhere to the guidance on individual and household isolation on NHS Inform.

By face coverings we do not mean the wearing of a surgical or other medical grade mask but a facial covering of the mouth and nose, that is made of cloth or other textiles and through which you can breathe, for example a scarf.

When applying or removing the covering, it is important that you wash your hands first and avoid touching your face. After each use, you must wash the face covering at 60 degrees centigrade or dispose of safely. Face coverings should not be used for children under the age of two years.

We are recommending that you consider using face coverings in the limited circumstances described above as a precautionary measure. Given that the evidence of impact on transmission is relatively weak, the public use of facial coverings is not being made mandatory and will not be enforced at this stage. However, we will keep this guidance under ongoing review as we consider any easing of lockdown restrictions in the weeks ahead."
www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-public-use-of-face-coverings/

I love that the fact she's clearly doing a better job has to be only to upstage. Is she supposed to deliberately be shit to make Boris et al look better. She's deliberately not been dragged in to the media's attempt to make it so.

This is all about being seen to do something first or something that’s different to the UK government.

I don't get this, are there any other countries on the world with similar levels of infection who are NOT recommending face masks? Nicola is not the one determined to be different.

Three quarters of the world's population are being asked to wear a fabric face covering by their governments.

People are being asked to wear a fabric face covering, a scarf, a home made fabric face mask: not a medical grade face mask as there are 7.5 billion people on this planet and funnily enough not enough PPE to go around.

The rational is not to protect yourself, but to protect others, as maybe you are one of the nearly 50% who has no symptoms.

There is no political point scoring here, she is being boring normal in global terms.

I’ve purchased some cloth masks from EBay today, I have a feeling this will be a recommendation by the government soon.

I don’t think they are there to be used so everyone can ignore other guidance, think it’s just an additional method of prevention. If coughing into your arm is seen as good enough then.....

I'll use a scarf as I think a mask will be too claustrophobic for me. I might have a look on EBay and buy some - I only do one was a week so I'll need quite a few.

Won’t help me, might protect someone else so good enough reason. Just rather not pass on any nasties.

The only people politicising this are the people clearly pissed off that Nicola Sturgeon is doing a better job than the Government in Westminster.
Btw if there was another referendum tomorrow I'd vote no. It doesn't mean she's not competent.

Seeing as the UK is always a few weeks behind what they actually should be doing I’d say that the face mask recommendations will come in shortly. Probably when they are able to get their shit together enough for face masks to actually be available to the public. They basically just tell the public lies to get them to do what they want them to do at that particular time and use ‘following the science’ to cover up their own failings. I’ve read enough research to know that homemade masks are protective with basic sensible use and I’ve made my own (with filters) ready. Everyone waited like sheep for the government to stop big gatherings and close schools - look at how many people have probably died because of that ridiculous decision. My children were out of school and we were isolating weeks before. I shall do what the research says, not what this shit shower recommend, and I say that as a Tory.

I've been thinking about buying one of the scarf things for my mum who goes out. Theres one I've seen I think called virus shield that is good for like 50 hours at a time then you wash it. Its white which is offputting as it can only be washed 3 times. But that's at odd with the advice to wash after each use.

I agree with you Worried. I've been wearing a mask when I've been going out shopping.

Great post @Worriedmummy76

@buttermilkwaffles thanks for posting the guidelines from the Scottish gov website. They are really clear on what is being recommended and how to wear the masks.

I live in Scotland. I'm not the SNPs biggest ever fan but in my opinion they are the best option here in Scotland in general. Nicola Sturgeon is doing a better job than Boris and co, especially at communications with the public. If the Scottish government had the ability to order a lot more tests here but didn't do that, then that would lower my opinion of them (I'm unsure if we could have done this, if it's devolved or not). Still doing a better job at communications.

Laughing at some people thinking it's political points scoring on NS part!! The majority of countries are recommending or enforcing masks, and UK's SAGE advisory have advised it since last week, but oh yes it must be points scoring.

I have masks and me and my Family will wear them

I’m not going to wear a mask.

Here is what I think will happen:

The lockdown can't last forever.

Now that people are getting fed up with the lockdown and starting to get out more, it will take another 2-3 weeks for the rates of infection to go up again.

And I would like to know what's the government's plan B is if they do.

@mascotte nobody's going to force you.

It actually drives me mad that the FM is expected by so many people in England to slavishly copy the Tory Government. Why the hell would we want to do as they do when they're making such a hash of it? It isn't 'political point scoring' to make decisions in Scotland's best interests .

There will also invariably be the issue of unpleasant individuals using masks as an excuse to bully women alone, or with children, or with visible factors which make them vulnerable or a target for bigots seeking an excuse.*

Wtf

Not sure why people are saying she just wants to be different, when actually we are the ones at odds with a lot of countries.

I don't see what the fuss is. It seems eminently sensible to me to wear some sort of face covering, mainly to stop people spreading the virus, rather than as a guaranteed protection. I have worn fabric masks since the start. I find it stops me touching my nose/ mouth, and seems to make other people not want to come near me (they obviously think I'm crazy, but if crazy keeps them more than 2m away....). It will obviously help stop me breathing any germs all over others too. Cant see a down side, really

It will only be a matter of time before masks in public will be recommended UK-wide.
Personally, I tend to follow countries such as Germany and South Korea as to what they are recommending.

*masks or face coverings

I have worn fabric masks since the start. I find it stops me touching my nose/ mouth,

It would have the opposite effect on me, I'd be constantly touching my face trying to adjust the mask!

Am in Scotland. Out this morning, in the local Co-Op, nobody wearing masks.

Also thought it was funny that on the news last night they showed footage of people wearing face coverings, the first had a red scarf which she was constantly touching and adjusting, the second had a mask covering her mouth but not her nose.