Which would you prefer re masks?

[PuzzledObserver]

The BBC live news page just now was saying there are “hints” that masks and SD may be dropped over the summer.... but there is a risk they will be reintroduced over the winter.

What would you prefer? I mean, presumably ditch them immediately and for ever, but if that’s not possible, would you rather:

a) have a break over the summer in the knowledge they’ll be back towards the end of the year;

b) keep them until we’re certain they will never be back.

I would choose a, by the way.

They do @Tealightsandd but you knew that already

www.timeout.com/tokyo/shopping/cool-and-quirky-new-face-masks-and-accessories-in-japan

@ConstantlyChanging

B - the selfish arseholes of the U.K. won’t go back to using them if we stop for the summer.

I’d like to see them become the norm in places like public transport. Other countries manage it without the perpetual whining. I also think coughing in public is disgusting and needs to become completely socially unacceptable.

How ignorant! Try having a lung condition

I think it would be a good idea to reintroduce them in the winter, say November to February. Might help reduce colds and flu as well as covid.

I actually wore a face covering right from the first lockdown, months before it became compulsory, and I didn't find it unpleasant during the summer. But there is probably no need if the covid figures drop to single figures per 100K everywhere over the summer. And it would be good not to have to wear one when you're having your hair cut or coloured.

B. Why risk making this worse again by ditching them too soon?

C

There is a risk that if you make people keep wearing them when the numbers have dropped so much they are pointless, then lots of people will refuse / small companies will relax about asking for them to be worn. It will be harder to get through the idea of them being needed again in the winter (if they are).

But then any restrictions will be a hard sell in the winter when nearly all adults have had 2 jabs and those who haven't will have been offered them already.

“@ConstantlyChanging

B - the selfish arseholes of the U.K. won’t go back to using them if we stop for the summer.

I’d like to see them become the norm in places like public transport. Other countries manage it without the perpetual whining. I also think coughing in public is disgusting and needs to become completely socially unacceptable.”

Spot on and well said! Why risk more pandemic when small individual behaviour moderations including face coverings, or basically all risk mitigation management including hands, face, space, trace and base with vaccination can potentially make the difference between life and death and further economic misery!

No way do I want masks back on just because its winter. By then vaccination will be complete. Science and medicine will be more knowledgeable. There should not be the same need.

[quote ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia]“@ConstantlyChanging

B - the selfish arseholes of the U.K. won’t go back to using them if we stop for the summer.

I’d like to see them become the norm in places like public transport. Other countries manage it without the perpetual whining. I also think coughing in public is disgusting and needs to become completely socially unacceptable.”

Spot on and well said! Why risk more pandemic when small individual behaviour moderations including face coverings, or basically all risk mitigation management including hands, face, space, trace and base with vaccination can potentially make the difference between life and death and further economic misery![/quote]
How do you stop ppl coughing just because they are outside. Ppl should always have disposable hankies of some kind , which you cough into. We were taught that in primary school in the 80s I never leave home without one.

Now spitting in public , that is disgusting.

My DH has COPD and coughs into a tissue. I see your attitudes towards disabled ppl havent improved since Lockdown 1

Want us to all keep treating each other like bio hazards?
As ye sow so shall ye reap!
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4220578-Benefit-Cosmetics-banned-NHS-staff-due-to-working-with-covid-patients

So there’s good evidence that masks do work - that’s why we wear them in healthcare settings (& have done way before c19). And no, it’s not some special magic medical thing, just blocking the direct flow of aerosols from your mouth and nose reduces transmission of bugs. C19 is an aerosol transmitted bug (it’s in the air & it travelling onto your nasopharynx is how you catch it - the hand washing a big red herring, but keeps everyone distracted - Covid doesn’t seem to really be caught from fomites).

So the question you really need to ask is... how interested are you in being part of a community which minimises the risk of transmission of c19 to those who haven’t been vaccinated? If you’re just worried about deaths, then possibly by the summer, lots of the most vulnerable will have been vaccinated (but we won’t have got to herd immunity, so that’s only so much protection); but for those who haven’t been jabbed, we need to think seriously about non-death outcomes, like long COVID.

I’ve now had a few patients with long Covid- it’s not good. I’d wear a mask to help protect other people from getting ill with that.

So. My baseline is I’m ok with masks if it protects other people and so I’ll wear it for the foreseeable. And encourage my children to wear them too.

Anyone who doesn’t has rather missed the point.

B.

C is unrealistic and inconsiderate

Exactly. 50% of the adult population vaxed and increasing every day, good evidence that vaccination stops you spreading it - so why are we wearing masks?

Because of the people who GPs are refusing to vaccinate.

B in places such as shops and hospitals/GPs. Keep one way systems and maximum numbers too.

If the vulnerable are vaccinated and by July all adults will be why should we wear them? And where is the scientific evidence that they work?
Also, people are using the same mask day in day out and not washing them every use. They are reusing disposable ones as well. This is far more unhygienic!

My husband told me this morning that America are starting to scrap the mask rule for the vaccinated. I don’t know if that’s true though, he was just muttering about it as he was leaving the house.

I absolutely hate wearing masks, I hate them. Can’t wait for them to be gone!

And where is the scientific evidence that they work?

Why do you think they are recommended?

Where is the scientific evidence that they don't work?
Can you answer that?
I'll guess not, because you're not familiar with scientific evidence in general.
But it's easier to throw a wild statement to the wind, isn't it?

You do make a good point about how some people don't use masks properly, but the same argument can be made about social distancing, or contraception. Where is the scientific evidence that it works? People keep having babies by accident using contraception.

@ThornAmongstRoses yes I saw that too. I think it’s important to note though, America have been using mRNA vaccines for the majority whereas we’ve been using AZ which isn’t. There’s no reason to think we won’t have similar results but it is a variable to be considered before using evidence from other countries.

@indiakulfi

Exactly. 50% of the adult population vaxed and increasing every day, good evidence that vaccination stops you spreading it - so why are we wearing masks?

Because of the people who GPs are refusing to vaccinate.

Who is being refused vaccination?

B indoors.

I really don't get why people want to jettison one of the protections against a third wave. It's really not that hard to wear a mask, especially if you get one of the very light disposable ones.

We're nowhere NEAR the levels of population vaccinated we'd need for herd immunity.

I mean if you want another lockdown then sure, ditch the masks and social distancing. It worked well for India (sarcasm).

@Lweji

And where is the scientific evidence that they work?

Why do you think they are recommended?

Where is the scientific evidence that they don't work?
Can you answer that?
I'll guess not, because you're not familiar with scientific evidence in general.
But it's easier to throw a wild statement to the wind, isn't it?

You do make a good point about how some people don't use masks properly, but the same argument can be made about social distancing, or contraception. Where is the scientific evidence that it works? People keep having babies by accident using contraception.

Kind of my point.... there is no evidence that they have impacted the transition in the pandemic either way is there? Only modelling of scenarios. Coupled with being told they don’t protect us only others around us... we’ll of they’re all vaccinated then they should be fine. And if they’re not.... well I don’t change my behaviour for people unvaccinated against other things.

I believe people have got to manage their own risk factors after June.... take responsibility for themselves and do what they are comfortable doing. I am comfortable not wearing a mask and being around others not wearing one - even as a teacher.

@IloveJKRowling

B indoors.

I really don't get why people want to jettison one of the protections against a third wave. It's really not that hard to wear a mask, especially if you get one of the very light disposable ones.

We're nowhere NEAR the levels of population vaccinated we'd need for herd immunity.

I mean if you want another lockdown then sure, ditch the masks and social distancing. It worked well for India (sarcasm).

Masks did not stop the second wave though did they?

Masks did not stop the second wave though did they?

Quite

Even if we get a third wave there will be no justification for a lockdown with the vulnerable vaccinated.

The amount of people on here who seem to think that despite the additional tools we have now principally vaccines that lockdown should be a first resort in the event of any rise in cases is ridiculous

Why do you think they are recommended?

Tokenism and being seen to do something for the sake of if.