Does anyone think masks will become the new normal?

[Chaosreigns123]

Even after the virus is gone/there is a vaccine?

Once we go down this route of masks being widely used in public.

Already we're hearing more and more how if you don't wear a mask you're killing people, selfish, putting others at risk.

Ok right now I think most of us want to see the back of this virus, but I'm no longer sure where the government are going with this. Are we going for elimination in England? Even if we get a vaccine it's likely not everyone will be eligible, or it will be yearly and the virus will still be circulating.

Will people devise masks are a good idea to protect against other viruses?

I get that, but if we can be told not to touch our faces we can surely be told to not touch our masks and wash them after each use? Why would one information campaign be effective and not the other?

Sales of lipstick will plummet.

Damefanny that's true, I mean we don't know that people are hand washing or doing other things correctly, so I guess you're right.

I've started to notice face touchers because I've been consciously not touching mine, until of course I've hit home and washed my hands.

I doubt they will be compulsory, but I think after this winter they will become more expected if you are cold/flu sniveling in winter, which isn't such a bad thing is it?

I hope so. I think it's polite to wear a mask if you have a cold. Shouldn't be a big deal.

They’ll never be normalised for me. I loathe the things.

Having seen how rare any face covering PPE is in public (apart from certain fundamental religious parts of inner cities) I do not think wearing a face covering mask or shield will be normal in UK.

Indeed the government actually needs to mandate and punish non compliance and the general anti Covid risk mitigation measures attitude like mass gatherings, no social distancing in packed tourist spots and busy supermarkets etc. Evidently UK public are either pro Covid herd immunity, don't believe Covid exists, or possibly don't appreciate their own potential medical well being nor other lives matter.

I hope not. I'm happy to comply with the rule but I'd rather not live in a society where everyone covers their face routinely in public.

I hope not but if so the reusable ones!!!!!!

No. Really no.

I suspect a Government U-turn on this when they realise that actually masks are going to make people go out even less. They will not be flocking to the shops etc with a mask on. The economy will suffer even more.

I'm toying with the idea of wearing a mask when outside next end of winter/early spring as that's when my hay-fever is awful even when medicated.

I rather like them.

I'm making myself a load of autumn/winter themed ones, and telling myself they'll help ward off flu/covid.

Really I just want fancy face warmers for the winter.

Well we have had compulsory here since Friday and I was in town for the first time since March and people were shopping with masks on.

@loulouljh

I suspect a Government U-turn on this when they realise that actually masks are going to make people go out even less. They will not be flocking to the shops etc with a mask on. The economy will suffer even more.

What are you basing that on? I’m not being snippy but I’m genuinely getting the impression that there are more people happier or ambivalent about masks than those who would actively avoid wearing them so I would be interested to know what makes you say that.

www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/travel-outdoors/face-mask-covering-where-to-buy-uk-coronavirus-reusable-washable-filter-a9580821.html

Face masks: The ultimate guide to coverings you need to shop in England

@loulouljh

I suspect a Government U-turn on this when they realise that actually masks are going to make people go out even less. They will not be flocking to the shops etc with a mask on. The economy will suffer even more.

I doubt it.

There are probably just as many people who feel happier about going to the shops if everyone around them are wearing masks.

@Cornettoninja

As I understand it, countries where mask wearing was already quite common it’s considered the polite thing to do if you have a cold/cough. I’d be interested to know if their general sickness rates are lower.

General sickness rates being lower is not necessarily desirable. The human immune system needs to encounter viruses in order to work effectively. If we weren’t exposed to ‘harmless’ virus’s, we would be far more at risk if/when we encountered something more serious.

I doubt that mask wearing will become routine.
I don’t see any reason to remove the plastic screens at the checkouts though, they protect the staff against aggressive customers as well as infection.

The moaners/whiners who won't wear masks are more vociferous than those who aren't bothered and I think the percentage of non-compliers is quite low. We've been wearing face coverings since the advice first went out (March?) and it's become second nature so nothing will change for us on the 24th. I quite like the anonymity, not wearing lipstick, not having to worry about my resting-bitch face being on display and knowing that I'm (possibly) slowing the spread of any virus or germ. Those that are anti now may change their minds when they see others getting on with their lives. In the winter I'll wear a motorcyclist's neck warmer and a woolly hat - snug.

I will wear one now and am not a moaner but I will happily move on when we’ve got through this.

Completely agree @Drivingdownthe101 but I can see the positives for immunocompromised people in day to day life.

In the context of covid though it would be a pleasant side effect to keep next winters flu numbers low too and prevent that pressure on the NHS.

Where does protecting everyone from ever catching anything stop though? At the moment there is a particular need but once normality returns keeping everyone trussed up in masks seems a bit bonkers to me.

Makes me think of war of the worlds, when all the aliens spontaneously died because they had no immune system. Never coming into contact with any illness is detrimental to the majority. There's a reason children spend the first 5 years of their lives with a permanent cough/cold.

There's a reason children spend the first 5 years of their lives with a permanent cough/cold

Yes. My youngest is 18 months and he hasn’t had a hint of a sniffle since the end of feb. I’m actually worried about how his body will react when he next comes in context with a virus!

My youngest is 14 months and has been completely well since a cold at 4 months old. I'm actually quite worried about it!