[News] Face Masks and Covid Passes to end in England from next Thursday

[rippleman]

I would have voted to keep the masks if the wearing applied to all except those who have been granted a medical exemption by a GP and not because wearing one causes stress or some other bollocks excuse.

If we hadn't had that ridiculous shopping list of exemptions at the outset, wearing masks would have been far easier to police and enforce. Those playing the exemption game and refusing to wear masks will almost certainly have infected far more people than those who have complied with wearing masks in accordance with the regulations.

 

[JBizzle]

I think anyone still denying face masks reduce onwards infections isn't going to be persuaded otherwise now, although how anyone can argue with the logic of a barrier appearing between two people partially stopping particles transferring is beyond me. Like vaccines and social distancing they aren't the solution on their own but do help.

It's not about health. It's about FREEDUM!

 

[e77]

It's not about health. It's about FREEDUM!

It is more about Boris Johnson's career!

 

[JBizzle]

It is more about Boris Johnson's career!

Ha, well yes. That too

 

[e77]

Personally I think keeping face masks until Spring wouldn't have been that big an ask but as they aren't being enforced at the moment I am not sure it is going to make too much difference. I always did put one on to go into a shop and will continue to do so but some people won't do it full stop.

To get people back to work they are going to need a functioning train system and in Southern Rail's example while I am sure they are like every other employer and have people off with Covid, I suspect they are doing their usual trick of having a genuine reason for running a reduced service then milking it for as long as possible.

Covid passports should stay as an incentive for people to get jabbed.

 

[nicko31]

I say again ...

From BBC News website...

Professor Jonathan Van Tam said he does not believe healthy people wearing them would reduce the spread of the disease in the UK, saying "what matters now is social distancing".

Countries that exercise stricter mask mandates protect their health systems, you only have to look at the likes of Japan and South Korea, its not even an opinion its just counting

Not only should we mandating masks but we should be encouraging people to use FFP2 masks which offer better protection.

UK has a health system on its knees and we have circa 1.3m with long covid, this comes with drag on the NHS and also the economy. I wish it was all over but it isn't...

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

Personally I think keeping face masks until Spring wouldn't have been that big an ask but as they aren't being enforced at the moment I am not sure it is going to make too much difference. I always did put one on to go into a shop and will continue to do so but some people won't do it full stop.

To get people back to work they are going to need a functioning train system and in Southern Rail's example while I am sure they are like every other employer and have people off with Covid, I suspect they are doing their usual trick of having a genuine reason for running a reduced service then milking it for as long as possible.

Covid passports should stay as an incentive for people to get jabbed.

We were at Aintree Retail Park on Sunday and every single person was wearing a mask. Perhaps more compliance up north ?

 

[Notters]

Masks haven't been banned, everyone is still free to wear one.

Yes, and they're free to breath in virus particles from those who no longer do.

 

[dsr-burnley]

The recent announcement is a blatantly political decision designed to bolster the PM as he thrashes around in search of something positive to rescue his doomed premiership.

The current covid news is looking positive and I was expecting these measures to be gone around March/April time as we let the current Fall in cases/admissions play out whilst we complete the vacc/booster roll out. I do not see why we could not wait another couple of months. The current restrictions barely impact me at all. Mask wearing in shops and on public transport has become second nature. I can still visit the pub, go to gigs, go to games and go on holiday. I have no idea what those clamouring for a premature end to Plan B are moaning about.

That's far too common an attitude I'm afraid. This post, and plenty of others in general, are all about "masks are no problem for me so I'm in favour". The BBC wheeled out an pro-mask doctor to tell the world why Boris was wrong, and even she said that there are no significant problems to everyone wearing masks. Normally the BBC is quite strong on supporting minorities, but they forgot about them in this case..

If the BBC announcer had had any nous, she would have asked whether that means that (a) deaf lip-readers and people with mild dementia and people who can't recognise their friends, do not have significant problems; or (b) they do have significant problems but here aren't enough of them to count; or (c) we had forgotten about the deaf and others with mask problems. Option (d), we have considered them but still think masks are a good thing, would of course be the most valid option, but this anti-mask doctor was clearly not thinking that.

So by all means - not just you, hotchilidog, I'm not having a go at you, it's just that your post was typical of quite a few similar - don't decide whether general mask wearing is a good thing purely because it might do some good and it's all right for me. Consider the overall benefit of wearing masks, and the overall downside for the world in general of wearing masks, and then cast your vote.

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

There is no evidence that Covid Passes or Plan B works to reduce the rate of transmission.

Look at France or to some extent, Scotland or Wales.

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

I say again ...

From BBC News website...

Professor Jonathan Van Tam said he does not believe healthy people wearing them would reduce the spread of the disease in the UK, saying "what matters now is social distancing".

Say it as many times as you like. There is plenty of evidence to the contrary. It is not one or the other and I am not going to follow something simply because one person says it when plenty of others say the opposite. Common sense (and multiple articles) tell me that a mixture of defenses such as social distancing and mask wearing are the best way. I am not saying we should all stay locked away but my wife and I are emerging with caution rather than just throwing everything out at once. Triple jabbed and recently had Covid so we felt safe going to the pub on Friday night but we will continue to wear masks in shops for the comfort of others.

 

[RandyWanger]

Masks yes, passes no. I shall carry on wearing my mask when out and about.

 

[crabface]

This thread is absolutely hilarious its a gold mine of people with their own views formed from reading one newspaper or another and not actually knowing any facts.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I say again ...

From BBC News website...

Professor Jonathan Van Tam said he does not believe healthy people wearing them would reduce the spread of the disease in the UK, saying "what matters now is social distancing".

It would probably help if the UK did not think that a cloth covering was enough.

Research has shown that FFP2 masks do make a difference but for some reason, the UK government ignored this and did not make them the de factor mask. Probably too late now. Bumble***** policy of herd immunity is nearly there.

 

[knocky1]

This thread is absolutely hilarious its a gold mine of people with their own views formed from reading one newspaper or another and not actually knowing any facts.

I read in The Mail that if you have a crabface wearing a mask could help. That's a fact.

 

[Deleted member 37369]

Say it as many times as you like. There is plenty of evidence to the contrary. It is not one or the other and I am not going to follow something simply because one person says it when plenty of others say the opposite. Common sense (and multiple articles) tell me that a mixture of defenses such as social distancing and mask wearing are the best way. I am not saying we should all stay locked away but my wife and I are emerging with caution rather than just throwing everything out at once. Triple jabbed and recently had Covid so we felt safe going to the pub on Friday night but we will continue to wear masks in shops for the comfort of others.

I do get that ... opinion and commentary from 'experts' isn't always consistent. And I totally agree about using a mixture of defences. I have always been cautious. Even when out walking in the fresh air I often end up stepping into the road or to the side when people walk towards are walking side by side and not going to move into a single file for example. I am not against wearing a mask as I have said. However, I am not totally convinced that masks make a real difference - especially how most people wear them ... and don't change/wash them.

I will probably still wear one in certain circumstances when we don't have to ... because it's really not an issue for me. My original post - which a number have 'challenged' as though I am maybe anti mask ... was because of the original post I replied to which was just plain rude and unnecessary.

Anyway ... this is my last post on the matter ... as like many subjects we just end up going round in circles.

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

I do get that ... opinion and commentary from 'experts' isn't always consistent. And I totally agree about using a mixture of defences. I have always been cautious. Even when out walking in the fresh air I often end up stepping into the road or to the side when people walk towards are walking side by side and not going to move into a single file for example. I am not against wearing a mask as I have said. However, I am not totally convinced that masks make a real difference - especially how most people wear them ... and don't change/wash them.

I will probably still wear one in certain circumstances when we don't have to ... because it's really not an issue for me. My original post - which a number have 'challenged' as though I am maybe anti mask ... was because of the original post I replied to which was just plain rude and unnecessary.

Anyway ... this is my last post on the matter ... as like many subjects we just end up going round in circles.

All fair points. The ‘quality’ of mask wearing is certainly an issue with some people. I do think it is certain demographics that differ. As I have said elsewhere the middle aged shoppers last Sunday were very considerate whereas football crowds seem to be overwhelmingly not. I agree with you regarding the rudeness of the post you responded to.

 

[e77]

That's far too common an attitude I'm afraid. This post, and plenty of others in general, are all about "masks are no problem for me so I'm in favour". The BBC wheeled out an pro-mask doctor to tell the world why Boris was wrong, and even she said that there are no significant problems to everyone wearing masks. Normally the BBC is quite strong on supporting minorities, but they forgot about them in this case..

If the BBC announcer had had any nous, she would have asked whether that means that (a) deaf lip-readers and people with mild dementia and people who can't recognise their friends, do not have significant problems; or (b) they do have significant problems but here aren't enough of them to count; or (c) we had forgotten about the deaf and others with mask problems. Option (d), we have considered them but still think masks are a good thing, would of course be the most valid option, but this anti-mask doctor was clearly not thinking that.

So by all means - not just you, hotchilidog, I'm not having a go at you, it's just that your post was typical of quite a few similar - don't decide whether general mask wearing is a good thing purely because it might do some good and it's all right for me. Consider the overall benefit of wearing masks, and the overall downside for the world in general of wearing masks, and then cast your vote.

If you are communicating with a lip reader then take your face covering off while doing it.

 

[e77]

We were at Aintree Retail Park on Sunday and every single person was wearing a mask. Perhaps more compliance up north ?

My pet theory is compliance is higher in areas with Labour MPs. Certainly if you get a train from Worthing to Brighton or London people getting on at Hove or near London are much more likely to have a mask on.

 

[zefarelly]

It would probably help if the UK did not think that a cloth covering was enough.

Research has shown that FFP2 masks do make a difference but for some reason, the UK government ignored this and did not make them the de factor mask. Probably too late now. Bumble***** policy of herd immunity is nearly there.

If Bumblec**t has 'achieved' anything ( highly debatable) it's this . . .by hook or crook he's got us where he wanted from the outset, whilst continually sweeping as much under the carpet as possible.

The highest death toll in Europe, quite an achievement.