[quote IntrovertedUnicorn]@TheLegendOfZelda, the difference between masks and measles vaccines is that enough people vaccinate of their own accord, so making vaccinations compulsory is unnecessary. As you know, it doesn't mean that people don't get suck from it, or experience complications. It just means that more people are protected.
The voluntary uptake of masks is embarrassingly low in this country, at about 25-30% as opposed to the uptake of 81%, which is still causing a lot of concern amongst medical professionals. The low uptake of masks is due to people thinking that they can't get sick because they're healthy, and not being aware or concerned that they can readily pass it on via asymptomatic transmission. They're not vulnerable, so they'll be fine. It's a sociological process called "othering", and it's been well documented with previous pandemics, such as SARS and H1N1.
The opening of pubs and restaurants is, as far as I'm concerned, the wrong decision right now. Our infection rates are still far too high, and it is clear that was a political and economic decision that has clearly diluted the important public health messages that doctors, virologists, and other members of the scientific community have been working hard to get across.[/quote]
Well I disagree on that. Education is better than enforcement. Until very very recently our own government was telling everyone that masks didn't work, but now they want people to go shopping, masks are apparently necessary. But not in pubs or schools. Because ... clever virus. So the public reluctance with masks is partly due to government messaging. Then if the government case now is that face coverings protect other people but not you ..seriously ..why would you bother if you are young, fit and healthy? This virus kills the old, the frail and the sick. Sure, it occasionally affects the young and fit ..but if you are expecting a sudden cultural shift to protecting others not yourself ..good luck with that too. What would protect us? Proper masks, worn properly, indoors. So ...how come not that message? How come it's .. ooh wrap a scarf round your face while spending money in retail when the virus threat is incredibly low. How come not earlier and how come only in shops?
Face it. It's a shit message. It's illogical. Wrong time as well. Can't be enforced anyway so why not just go for education? Because the evidence isn't there and it's illogical as an argument that schools and cafes don't require masks and shops do. Now. When the community spread is tiny. But not before.
Vaccinations - it's exactly the same. Mass vaccinations provide herd immunity. Most people don't get ill from measles. Some do. We vaccinate because we have been educated to protect our own children, although really it protects those who can't be vaccinated the most. Does the government make it mandatory? No. Should they? If so, why don't they?
This 'face covering' law is pathetic performance art to get the masses back out shopping.