Should masks be mandatory on public transport for the time being?

[jobhunter7]

Discuss.

They have done this in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria...

@MrsTerryPratchett

Put dispensers with masks at the entrance to stations and on buses, have an ad campaign, have slebs join in, and have most people take part.

These are good ideas. Not many celebs have spoken about this yet, have they?

YES.

They should be compulsory on public transport and in places where lots of people pass through. Everybody knows about the virus and how it is spread. Masks do make a difference - a big difference. By now we should all understand that wearing a face mask should be a common courtesy.

By mask do you mean these homemade ones people are wearing made from old t shirts or duvet covers?

If so, er, no

Not many celebs have spoken about this yet, have they?

Generally they want paid!

And a ‘gifted’ mask

Surely the homemade ones will do, the NHS and care homes need the blue surgical masks.

yes, urber world wide now requires this driver and passenger but one out of two of our drivers today didn't

Easy, you wear a mask or you’re not getting on. You keep the mask on, or you get thrown off.

That only works on manned public transport, so wouldn’t work on the tube or on London buses.

I’m not travelling on public transport so it’s not applicable, but I unfortunately can’t wear a mask due to pre-existing breathing conditions. Not everyone is physically capable of wearing a mask.

I’m not travelling on public transport so it’s not applicable, but I unfortunately can’t wear a mask due to pre-existing breathing conditions. Not everyone is physically capable of wearing a mask.

If your breathing is so compromised you can’t wear a mask, it would be playing Russian roulette to get onto crowded public transport at the moment, and unfortunately need to isolate away from confined spaces.

Yes

Ironically, it’s those people who dismissively say “no” and are so incensed at any infringement on their liberty (no matter the wider public good) who presumably are the same who insisted continuing to go down the pub until they were shut, and probably have disregarded social distancing during the lockdown, and are responsible - in part at least - for how bad it has got, and for us being in a situation where we need these rules!

I think there is going to be an interesting debate about this after all this is over. I favour the approach of countries where there is a greater trust in government and more of an approach of guidance rather than ordering. Canada and Sweden. I think if you mandate, you need a big stick. China. If you don't have a big stick and you have a population that has been taught not to trust government you have a problem. US, UK.

I'd like to see the following:

Financial incentives for doing the right thing, rather than fines for the wrong
Better messaging about health outcomes, asking people to do the right thing for other people's health
Media that doesn't try to divide and rule and blame everyone else, rather than investigate and advise
Make it easy for people to do the right thing, put it in their way

New Zealand's messaging, even if you don't like their approach, has been great. The police and puppet films? Genius.

No @ssd I don’t think they will ‘do’

A piece of wet material across your mouthful not offer much protection! Getting it o. And off and not fiddling and touching it will be difficult

Unfortunately Derbygerbil many people with compromised health are being forced back to work against their will and do not have the option to stay at home.

yes. wearing a mask protects others from your breath. even if the mask is an old t-shirt or something else homemade, it stops you spluttering and coughing on everyone else in the bus.

I dont understand why people are not wearing masks when they go on public transport and in shops if it helps those workers.

Yes.

Even before this I wished that mask-wearing was more accepted in this country.
My immune system is rubbish, so I used to hear someone cough at the front of the bus and think "Great, I'll enjoy that cold when it finishes incubation".

Generally speaking, yes.
But I can see a problem on longer journeys when people might need a drink of water, especially in hot weather.

Yes, I think so.

@MrsTerryPratchett

Generally I agree with nudging rather than ordering, but regarding face coverings on public transport, this is something that needs to happen sooner rather than waiting for a public relations campaign that will never convince the naysayers. In general, people responded well to the “lockdown rules”... I feel most people prefer it when Government shows active leadership in these things, and being “told” what to do.

No - each to their own

So now people are saying 'If you can't wear a mask due to breathing problems, you probably shouldn't be using public transport anyway'. I have mild asthma. I also have very severe anxiety which can affect my breathing. Neither of these make me vulnerable with regard to Covid. The combination of the two means wearing a mask has a major adverse effect on my breathing, which is why the medical advice is that I should NOT wear one. If you want to dish out advice to other people on how they should live their lives, then get your facts right first. I suppose you think people who can't wear a mask due to PTSD, claustrophobia, etc shouldn't use public transport either - so bad for the nerves, you know.

I feel most people prefer it when Government shows active leadership in these things, and being “told” what to do.

I think some do. But I massively prefer strong guidance and encouragement to mandating. Then when you mandate, it has weight.

Easy, you wear a mask or you’re not getting on. You keep the mask on, or you get thrown off.

I agree with you, but easier said than done. For the people who have to enforce this, It will be a nightmare.

YES !

what @derby said

we are the laughing stock of the world, so far behind. our neighbours near and far think we've lost the plot. it's like the dim member of the class who gets it eons after the others.