[England] People ‘expected’ to wear face masks in enclosed public spaces after 19 July

[DumplingsAndStew]

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/face-mask-nadhim-zahawi-covid-b1882018.html

New guidance will be issued by the government telling the public they are “expected” to wearface coveringsin indoor enclosed places, the vaccines minister has said.

Nadhim Zahawialso said he was “confident” the government would ease almost all legal restrictions on 19 July — despite surging cases of the virus and concerns expressed by scientists.

Speaking onSky News, he said: “It’s important we remain cautious and careful. The guidelines that we’ll set out tomorrow will demonstrate that, including guidelines that people are expected to wear a mask in indoor enclosed spaces, and of course remain vigilant.”

While the guidance will not be legally binding, his remarks appear to be a shift in stance fromBoris Johnson’s comments just last week, whosaid people “might choose” to follow the guidancein areas where cases are on the rise and in enclosed spaces, such as public transport at peak hours.

Ah so this is back track , I mean guidance no1.

Is this going to be Christmas all over again but more subtle to try to mitigate angering the masses?

Oh and I have no intention of dropping the mask…

@LightAsTheBreeze

Staff working in the shops don't have a choice though? What about them?

They won't be in my face one would hope, I can't see all that perspex disappearing overnight.

Very few people in our store work behind the till behind the Perspex

Most of us are on the shopfloor with customers who all through this have got too close, worn masks under chins if at all and stood close expecting us to find products from pictures on their phones!!!

They are putting the responsibility with business owners, as it means they van then happily reduce all the help offered - such as furlough etx - as there will no legal reactions that mean companies can't return to business as usual. But businesses will be put in the very difficult position of trying to balance financial recovery with employee wellbeing and customer demands.

It's all very convenient.

Yep.

Masks were introduced in more situations at the same time as the relaxation of other social distancing rules and the encouraging people to meet up by Eating Out, Rule of 6, get back to the office messages. All the increase shows is that masks work less well than lock down and masks in combination, not that masks don't work.

They aren’t hurting anyone’s so they can wear if they want to, but I’d have thought fresh air was better.

You're really reaching here. People are entitled to make their own risk assessments, no matter how bonkers you personally think they are. Masks are certainly not the be-all and end-all, but they help. Attitudes like yours don't.

No. Masks worn outside on beaches, on cliff paths and on uncrowded streets don't help with anything. All they do is contribute to the litter problem and stoke up the paranoia.

@WouldBeGood I intend to. I note you haven't responded to my comment on your use of the word terrified. I wonder why that is?

I think masks must 'do' something

I've not had a cough/cold for over a year, neither have the people I live with. Most absences at work are covid related, bereavement, and the odd broken bone! No cough cold flu or other transmittable Illness

@ilovesooty it is the terrified who are driving this mask pish.

Dig a little and it turns out it’s mostly fear, not altruism

@FlowerFlirtyFairFlax I wear a mask when I go to the garden centre. You have to go through the shop area before you get to the outside area. So you have to wear the mask in the shop so continue to wear it when I go in the outside bit, otherwise I would be faffing about taking the mask on and off, which we know isn’t great for hygiene reasons as best to limit the times you touch the mask.

I am the same if shopping. If I am going into a number of shops I will keep my mask on rather than keep taking it off and on. Again I sometimes do shopping for DM. She lives a short drive from the shops, so keep the mask on whilst in the car, as I then have to wear it when in the communal areas of the flats where she lives.

I am sure some people might wonder why I am wearing a mask outside or in a car, but makes sense to me.

I don’t wear a mask when walking the dog on the moors.

Then they want to buy the special ffp ones to protect themselves.

Which is fine. But it’s all so preachy, and disguised as being good.

@gardeninggirl68

I think masks must 'do' something

I've not had a cough/cold for over a year, neither have the people I live with. Most absences at work are covid related, bereavement, and the odd broken bone! No cough cold flu or other transmittable Illness

But what on earth is this doing to your immune system? People need regular exposure to "germs" (for want of a better word).

@HesterShaw1 yes, good point.

@WouldBeGood Israel bought masks back for indoor use a couple of weeks after dropping restrictions

I do the same @ineedaholidaynow - less faff.

Zahawi said this morning that the government wanted to stress “both a personal responsibility and a corporate responsibility” when it comes to mask wearing.

Just not a governmental responsibility then. Got it.

And to those objecting to the word 'selfish' - hits too close to home, does it?

Well, no, not for me, because I'm exempt as opposed to selfish.

Immediately surmising that those without masks who have the temerity to talk in public are unvaccinated, selfish, viral load-having good for nothings is a pretty crap thing to do, imo.

@Againstmachine

Effectively this means men - especially white men - will be allowed to drop the masks and return to normality, and it will be women and ethnic minorities will feel pressured to continue as they will be the ones confronted aggressively, shamed, filmed, ejected, and threatened with arrest for quite legally permissible removing their mask.

Ah blame white men, what a load of twaddle, and in my area those you latter suggested would be shamed are the ones who haven't been wearing them throughout this.

Wow, my first ever NAWMALT. What a day. 🎉

Israel does lots of things 🤷🏻‍♀️

Many countries and US states have lifted the mask mandates. .

@Wanttocry

Zahawi said this morning that the government wanted to stress “both a personal responsibility and a corporate responsibility” when it comes to mask wearing.

Just not a governmental responsibility then. Got it.

Is it because they wouldn’t get votes to renew legislation?

Is it because they wouldn’t get votes to renew legislation?

I’ve lost track of what does and doesn’t need voting for. But Labour aren’t going to vote against keeping masks, they’ve made their position clear the last few days that masks should stay, so I think they’d have the votes. It might be more that it would be seen as an embarrassingly large rebellion of Tory MPs voting against the government.

[quote WouldBeGood]@ilovesooty it is the terrified who are driving this mask pish.

Dig a little and it turns out it’s mostly fear, not altruism[/quote]
Doesn't justify your implication that everyone choosing to continue to wear a mask in public indoor areas is terrified.

Wow, my first ever NAWMALT. What a day. 🎉

You posted rubbish making out it's white men, it isn't o see many people from all races and sex's not wearing them I never said not all white men so yet again total rubbish.

*@ilovesooty it is the terrified who are driving this mask pish.

Yep saying they won't use places that don't enforce masks whilst they haven't been supporting this businesses in any way unlike us who are actually already out there.

They can say what they want in opinion polls, but people will vote with their cash and that will see what people really want.