[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.

@Reloxa

I wish masks were properly enforced on the tube. On Friday at least a fifth of a very crowded carriage didn't have them on, including a woman coughing, and a mother and two grown-up daughters shouting a conversation to each other.

I'm vaccinated, but don't fancy a big viral load from being in close contact from people who are probably unvaccinated (judging by how selfishly they were acting).

Good for them

@WouldBeGood I’m not sure about your source there :

www.bmj.com/rapid-response/2011/10/30/cochrane-reviews-are-they-reliable

That’s quite old to be fair @UndercoverToad

@WouldBeGood - and yours is 2016…

Same source as yours but 2016 instead of 2001 www.cochrane.org/CD002929/WOUNDS_disposable-surgical-face-masks-preventing-surgical-wound-infection-clean-surgery

And another more recent one

2001, based on data from 1998 the one you linked to. 🤷🏻‍♀️

My point is that even if the stupid surgeon point were relevant, that’s not clear cut at all.

I really hope mask wearing continues in places where the vulnerable need to access essential services.

So hospitals, clinics, pharmacy definitely - and then I’d also hope shops and public transport.

I’m caring for a CEV. She has a hole in her stomach that needs packing daily by a district nurse. She has had a section of bowel removed and is incontinent. I think even a mild case of Covid could be deadly as her bowel is healing.

Last week I had to get supplies for her, and as I paid - a group of maskless people were laughing loudly and not distancing from me.

I sat in the car, sanitised my hands and cried.

It’s not only transferring to my Mum - but if she gets it, the district nurse could get it and pass it on to the other vulnerable people she sees on her rounds.

I’m really not bothered about pubs, restaurants as I just won’t go there.

The thing is how long do you want it to continue for she's is always going to be at risk.

@Stuffin - I have been to a restaurant today and put on my mask to walk to a table.

Sat and chatted and breathed for almost 2 hours at a table but by putting on my mask to walk in and out I am sure everyone was 'safe'.

Utter stupid rules and will be glad to see the back of them.

So glad you thought everyone was 'safe'. Is this a gut feeling or do you have relevant experience to make that judgement?

@Againstmachine - you've missed the point somewhat

I haven't it's how long do we continue, I wear masks but when I don't have to I won't , it isn't my job to protect everyone, that's their job to look after their selves.

[quote luckylavender]@HesterShaw1 - it's precisely because of people like you that the government's stance is reckless. Arrogant people who know best & who sneer at people wearing masks and where they're wearing masks. People who have no impact on you whatsoever. And yet there you are judging and ridiculing. [/quote]
People who wear masks out in the fresh air on their own, for example, on cliff paths and beaches are wilfully ignoring clear evidence and are paranoid - yes I have reached this conclusion and said so.

This directly influences government policy? Riiiiiiiiiiiight

And yes, it does have an impact on me. It has an impact on everyone. Part of that impact is me constantly picking the damn things up and binning them wherever I go.

What do they think they are protecting themselves from? A bit of breeze?

What do they think they are protecting themselves from? A bit of breeze?

That bit of breeze might have covid that's what people believe , they are risk adverse

I haven't it's how long do we continue
If it’s forever then it’s forever. The world has changed permanently. Why do people find it so hard to accept that?!

*If it’s forever then it’s forever. The world has changed permanently. Why do people find it so hard to accept that?!
*

That's really dangerous wanting a changed world .

I work in hospitality. I will not be wearing a mask, neither will my workmates

A changed world for a mostly non deadly virus that people are now vaccinated against? Seriously?

@PRabbit

I haven't it's how long do we continue If it’s forever then it’s forever. The world has changed permanently. Why do people find it so hard to accept that?!

I agree that things change and evolve over time, but I just cannot get on board with masks becoming a permanent fixture

They’re a permanent fixture in Asian countries. I think it’s fine to wear masks permanently.

@PRabbit

I haven't it's how long do we continue If it’s forever then it’s forever. The world has changed permanently. Why do people find it so hard to accept that?!

That is chilling, and I wont accept masks being about forever. Wear one if you want, but mandatory masks has made life difficult for those who are exempt, and who rely on lip reading. Not to mention the impact on children growing up not seeing the smiles of adults besides their parents.

@Againstmachine

What do they think they are protecting themselves from? A bit of breeze?

That bit of breeze might have covid that's what people believe , they are risk adverse

So despite all the well publicised evidence that shows that the spread of viruses in UV light in the fresh air is infinitesimal , despite all the advice we are given that good ventilation even inside buildings reduces the spread of covid....they still choose to believe that a bit of breeze fresh off the sea (moorland/mountains/hills/fields - delete as appropriate) might infect them with Covid?

Yes I do make a judgement about the critical faculties about these people. I don't insult them in person, or tell them what I think of them, or harangue them though.

That's really dangerous wanting a changed world
I don’t want it. But it’s already happened and I don’t know why people are still pretending it hasn’t.

They’re a permanent fixture in Asian countries. I think it’s fine to wear masks permanently.

Except you are completely wrong about that, really wrong.

[quote luckylavender]@Stuffin - I have been to a restaurant today and put on my mask to walk to a table.

Sat and chatted and breathed for almost 2 hours at a table but by putting on my mask to walk in and out I am sure everyone was 'safe'.

Utter stupid rules and will be glad to see the back of them.

So glad you thought everyone was 'safe'. Is this a gut feeling or do you have relevant experience to make that judgement?[/quote]
Not sure what you meant.

Personally I think wearing a mask to walk a few yards to a table then taking it off inside for several hours is meaningless and pointless in my opinion. I will be glad when it isn't against the law because I think it doesn't keep any one 'safer' than if I had to walked in maskless to my table.