No legal compulsion to wear face masks once restrictions are lifted

[MurdockTheMouse]

Sky News reporting this morning that George Eustice has said with the removal of restrictions on July 19th will also come the removal of legal requirements to wear face coverings. I’m torn on how I feel about this.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/news.sky.com/story/amp/covid-19-no-legal-compulsion-to-wear-face-masks-when-restrictions-are-lifted-minister-says-12340495

I think muzzle is apt, in that it implies that whatever is behind it is harmful and must be covered up

But muzzles on dogs don’t cover their faces you can still see them. I think muzzle as a description of a face mask makes no sense but then so do a lot of descriptions of things surrounding Covid I guess.

@Sparklingbrook

I have to say where I live everyone is still mask compliant or wearing a badge/lanyard. Although you can get the badges in Home Bargains 3 for 99p) V unusual to see someone with neither a mask or badge.

Ditto. Unlike other PPs, very high compliance on public transport and in shops where i live.

Masks must offer some protection, I think I'd still wear one in certain situations (busy tram/supermarket)

I’ve never once heard it referred to as a muzzle, people really are quite bizarre.

Muzzle is apt as dogs wear muzzles to protect others from them, isn't that why we are meant to be wearing masks.

@Againstmachine

Muzzle is apt as dogs wear muzzles to protect others from them, isn't that why we are meant to be wearing masks.

From biting people. Not germs. I don't see the comparison.

Lots of compliance where we live. They’ve been wearing them in Asian countries for years with lots of success. Am happy to carry on, there’s been much lower rates of flu and other air born diseases recently which is due to social distancing and mask wearing. Now we are opening up that is changing and we are seeing lots of A and E departments full of people with common colds and summer flu. I’m happy to avoid that if possible. I don’t miss flu.

Can't wait. I only wear them because it's a legal requirement but I think they are pointless and will be happy to see the back of them.

If others want to continue to wear them then knock themselves out but don't expect everyone else to.

Humans communicate by facial expressions. It’s disturbing not to able to read those.

And they muzzle people in that it makes it difficult to speak and be heard.

They’ve been wearing them in Asian countries for years with lots of success.

Could you please tell me which Asian countries you’re talking about @Poorlykitten ?
I see this line a lot on threads like this one, but as far as I am aware no country has a culture of wearing a face mask as the default option. They are worn only by actually sick people (who have coughs, colds, hayfever etc) and only in limited circumstances like on trains or aeroplanes.

But muzzling has nothing to do with stopping people speaking or being heard? That’s not what it pertains to, so it makes no sense to use it in this context.

@ClaudiaWankleman Hong Kong, for one instance. Lots and of Asian countries have managed to keep covid numbers low, this is in part attributed to a history of mask wearing which was partly brought on by SARS outbreak ( although yes, you are correct initially to protect others in some instance but knock on effect still the same) I didn’t say it’s a default but it’s far more common and with much higher compliance and medical grade masks.

Here’s an article on it www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200624082657.htm

But that’s the effect of them.

Here’s another:
globalhealth.duke.edu/news/how-some-asian-countries-beat-back-covid-19

But you said those countries had been wearing masks for years. Hong Kongers haven’t been wearing masks out of the house, at work and at school for years at all. They were just quicker to put them on at the start of the pandemic.

And you’re saying you’re happy to carry on wearing a mask (forever?) into the future. That isn’t normal anywhere.

No, they are not muzzles, they really aren't. Nor are they face nappies. It's such a weird thing to say. Along with all the granny killing and being locked in our homes etc. Covid has released an explosion of odd sayings. Remember 'Covidiots'

@ClaudiaWankleman these countries have a history of mask wearing. They have been worn out of the house, perhaps not to the extent they are now but definitely much more common Just as I have pointed out. Not sure why you are arguing with it, there’s plenty of online evidence for it, plus I live there for a while so have first hand experience. Our country (U.K.) has not. I’m not saying we should go on for ever wearing them but many people on this thread disputing that they ‘don’t do anything’ is not entirely true. Over 50 countries have adopted wearing them for a specific reason.

We're keeping them in Wales. I wonder if that will stop people coming on holiday here.

I call them muzzles! A muzzle is the nose and mouth part of a dog and I think that's what people look like with them on. Makes the face look odd. You can also 'muzzle' someone, eg. to stop someone talking to the press for instance or doing something. So we are being made to wear them, otherwise we are not permitted to go into public places. I think muzzle sounds right. They have made my life hell!

I call them face masks. If someone referred to one as a muzzle in RL I would be both and . And probably judge them.

The face covering has been the most difficult part of the restrictions for me. Haven't been anywhere that requires one unless it's absolutely essential ie. healthcare and public toilets...

Who would have thought the prospect of wandering around a supermarket would be so exciting? The lifting of face mask requirements can't come soon enough.

@Ginandfantalemon

I call them muzzles! A muzzle is the nose and mouth part of a dog and I think that's what people look like with them on. Makes the face look odd. You can also 'muzzle' someone, eg. to stop someone talking to the press for instance or doing something. So we are being made to wear them, otherwise we are not permitted to go into public places. I think muzzle sounds right. They have made my life hell!

What you're thinking of is a gag. A muzzle stops biting, not talking. So a dog can still bark but not bite.

You think muzzle is apt because they make us look like dogs? I think you've just proved my point that it's a silly comparison.

@Sparklingbrook

I call them face masks. If someone referred to one as a muzzle in RL I would be both and . And probably judge them.

I would too. It's the same people who shout "sheeple" on forums, which says it all really.

these countries have a history of mask wearing. They have been worn out of the house, perhaps not to the extent they are now but definitely much more common Just as I have pointed out. Not sure why you are arguing with it, there’s plenty of online evidence for it, plus I live there for a while so have first hand experience. Our country (U.K.) has not. I’m not saying we should go on for ever wearing them but many people on this thread disputing that they ‘don’t do anything’ is not entirely true. Over 50 countries have adopted wearing them for a specific reason.

I have also lived in East Asia. What I take issue with is people using HK/ Korea/ Singapore as a reason we should keep wearing masks despite being fully vaccinated, when these countries don't wear masks when they are healthy and not displaying symptoms of any illness. It's just not true.
I've seen it many times here 'EA has been wearing masks for years and people don't claim to be uncomfortable in them/ say it limits communication/ wear sunflower lanyards so why can't we?'

@ClaudiaWankleman I never once said we should use it as a reason to continue wearing masks despite being fully vaccinated. I was posting in reaction to many posters saying masks are useless anyway, which I took exception to. Nowhere did I advocate still wearing them, at some point that will be down to personal choice.