Well, well, well face masks mandatory on public transport now

[Cherryghost]

It's now mandatory to wear face mask on public transport with exceptions for disability, young children etc.
This should have been done ages ago.
They also admitting face masks offers some protection

@Thaddit therein lies the problem. They need to be changed throughout the day as when they become saturated they won't be effective in any way. And once you've touched it to take it off you need to seal it away and wash hands and apply new one for next journey or whatever. If they are to have any merit at all.

?? No merit?

What do you think we have been told wearing face coverings will do?

All I have heard from the daily briefings is that there is some evidence that wearing any covering over mouth and nose will help reduce transmission in the same way sneezing into your elbow does. That's it. A mandatory elbow over your mouth and nose.

All else is unecessary pfaffing.

You don’t need to wear at mask but a face covering. DD has been on the tube this morning and used a light weight scarf. No problem and risk to everyone around her protected.

[quote Thighmageddon]For those not wanting to wear a badge stating their disability reason for not wearing a mask, get an ICE card. Ok so they're a fiver but with this you can have your disclaimer in your purse, wallet or pass holder.

www.icecard.co.uk/medical-ice/?sort=featured&page=1[/quote]
I didn't know about these - thanks, will get one as I have a complex medical history and medication allergies.

We made a few masks early on That can be washed following simple online tutorials. But shops are selling them online too.

In Belgium everyone over the age of 12 was given 2 face masks free of charge. We have to wear them on public transport, in shops etc. Can’t believe the Uk is so slow on this

World Health Organisation advice is that masks should only be worn if caring for the sick. And that once wet, a mask should be thrown away. And loads of other stuff about using masks safely that most people will never ever do.

This new Government rule is nothing to do with science - it’s all to do with giving people something to do that will make them feel (erroneously, but never mind) safer and encourage them to leave the house and go to work. The trouble is that making people feel safer when they aren’t even encourages people to do things that genuinely aren’t safe.

For example, if people are told, a mask will protect others if you are infectious and you sneeze.... people who feel ill are more likely to leave the house. Or people are more likely to stand close to other people.

The science says non medical masks at best make negligible difference to catching and spreading the virus and at worst make it more likely you catch it and other airborne diseases.

The government have done it to make people feel safer. Not to actually make them safer.

I am certainly pleased that I don't require public transport nor do I need to visit a hospital in the near future.

All clinical staff at our hospital wear masks anyway but does this apply to office/non clinical staff as he said ‘except covid secure workplaces’. Offices at our Trust have social distancing measures in place so I wondered whether non clinical office staff have to wear them too?

"The science says non medical masks at best make negligible difference to catching and spreading the virus and at worst make it more likely you catch it and other airborne diseases."

Which science?
This scientists certainly doesn't believe that?

"World Health Organisation advice is that masks should only be worn if caring for the sick."

That's because of concern about ordinary people getting masks that health workers need and a global shortage of 'proper' masks.

@Sonineties

World Health Organisation advice is that masks should only be worn if caring for the sick. And that once wet, a mask should be thrown away. And loads of other stuff about using masks safely that most people will never ever do.

This new Government rule is nothing to do with science - it’s all to do with giving people something to do that will make them feel (erroneously, but never mind) safer and encourage them to leave the house and go to work. The trouble is that making people feel safer when they aren’t even encourages people to do things that genuinely aren’t safe.

For example, if people are told, a mask will protect others if you are infectious and you sneeze.... people who feel ill are more likely to leave the house. Or people are more likely to stand close to other people.

Perhaps it will interest you to know that the WHO changed its advice on masks today?

—————————

The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its guidance on wearing masks in public to help limit the spread of coronavirus.

Speaking during a virtual briefing on Friday afternoon, the WHO director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said governments should encourage people to wear masks in shops, on public transport, and in areas where social distancing is not possible.

Sorry, might be the wrong video above. There's a great video where the Korean doctor explains how masks work, but can't find it now.

This is the relevant video. Please take the time to watch:

Bear in mind that the Korean videos are from March so some of the things are outdated e.g. hydrocholoroquine has been found to be ineffective.

"Now Johnson will try to reduce social distancing, despite 'the science' "

Call me cynical but I think this is all leading up to September. There's no way all years can be back with 2m distance so I think we'll see a move towards the WHO recommendation of 1m before then followed by mask wearing in schools as it will have become the norm on public transport (soon to be followed by shops) and et voila schools back as normal, 30+ kids to a class.

For example, if people are told, a mask will protect others if you are infectious and you sneeze.... people who feel ill are more likely to leave the house. Or people are more likely to stand close to other people.

The issue with Covid is that many people with it spread it when asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic, so unaware they are contagious. That’s why the advice has changed this past month.

But hey, let’s carry on as we have been and not follow the lead of countries that have got on top of Covid far, far better than us.

For 3 months they let people come in through airports and ports, straight onto public transport no masks no isolation. Now they want the British public that have taken every care up to now to wear masks and when they've been on holiday come back and go into isolation? I am staying alert on how the government are trying to make us like themselves into monkeys.

My 14 year old daughter is back at school one day a week and it is compulsory to wear a mask and social distance plus obviously frequent hand washing. Classes are no more than 11 kids to allow space. All going well so far.

Call me cynical but I think this is all leading up to September. There's no way all years can be back with 2m distance so I think we'll see a move towards the WHO recommendation of 1m before then followed by mask wearing in schools as it will have become the norm on public transport (soon to be followed by shops) and et voila schools back as normal, 30+ kids to a class.

Well, if face-coverings help reduce the risk enough to get back to something more normal that’s fine by me.

The Uk is a disaster when it comes to managing Covid. Too little, too late. Mainland Europe was far more on the case and as a result things are opening up

Was thinking of digging out my burka to wear but am afraid of looking like a letter box,

Oh wait, everyone else will be looking like one too now!

@CuriousaboutSamphire

?? No merit?

What do you think we have been told wearing face coverings will do?

All I have heard from the daily briefings is that there is some evidence that wearing any covering over mouth and nose will help reduce transmission in the same way sneezing into your elbow does. That's it. A mandatory elbow over your mouth and nose.

All else is unecessary pfaffing.

It's just for show by the government after they've lost control over Covid and the public have started doing what they like.

it's just a message to say 'you have to wear mask on public transport' as a statement to the Congaing beach dwellers who think this is all one big holiday. Especially after the frightening scenes in London with swarms of demonstrators turning up to protest, as though Covid never happened.

Good. About bloody time.

The good thing about masks and social distancing on public transport is I am not going to get my head sneezed or coughed all over by people that don't carry tissues and sneeze into their hands and then grab the bar and put all their germs all over it. Yes I'm old school I remember when we had an advertisement on TV saying coughs and Sneezes, spread diseases, so carry a handkerchief.