Time to make facemasks mandatory everywhere public?

[Corcaigh_the_Cat]

There are exceptions, obviously. Safe distancing is the only option then.

You wash your hands regularly to protect others, that's all face mask wearing does.

 

[Randy]

There are exceptions, obviously. Safe distancing is the only option then.

You wash your hands regularly to protect others, that's all face mask wearing does.

That's fair.

For how long would it be mandatory?
Making it mandatory to enter a shop is fine. That's them up to shops to enforce which is also fine.
Indoor places of work? Would depend on the employer? News reporters and broadcasters could lead the way if the government made it mandatory, as could professional sports and athletes.
Outdoor public places? Would a park mean wearing a mask or would it only apply to high streets and pedestrian areas?

 

[Fluffycarpet]

Am I the only one who thinks face masks outside are ridiculous? Yes it makes sense wearing them in enclosed spaces like public transport, but mandotary everywhere? Wash your hands and don't touch your eyes and nose and the likelyhood is you'll be fine.

 

[NYboro]

Mandatory here in Illinois when in public and unable to socially distance more than 6 feet. You wouldn't get into a supermarket or restaurant (outdoor dining only at the moment) without one (but you can remove the mask to eat when safely at your table).

The curve is being well and truly flattened in Illinois right now (R number heading towards 0.8). Coincidence?

Same here in New York.

 

[SmallTown]

Am I the only one who thinks face masks outside are ridiculous? Yes it makes sense wearing them in enclosed spaces like public transport, but mandotary everywhere? Wash your hands and don't touch your eyes and nose and the likelyhood is you'll be fine.

once again, saying "you'll" be fine is missing the point of face masks. They are there to protect others.

However I agree with you to some extent. Walking down the street there's little point. Also I see people in their cars, on their own, with the windows up wearing them. Not sure who they are protecting.

However even if you are outside. if you are in a situation were you are in close proximity to someone else for a long period, you should wear one. The longer your are close to someone the higher the risk of passing a virus on.

 

[SmallTown]

The benefits of wearing a face mask are minimal and the wider use of face masks by seamingly healthy people is not supported by the current evidence and carries some critical risk.

This is why scientists should make scientific decisions, not a message board.

I would disagree with this. look at the countries that tend to have more face mask wear. those countries have survived the first wave much better than countries where facemark use isn't a thing. Taiwan is a great example. They found out when they were hit badly by SARS just how useful facemarks could be in slowing the spread.

 

[Fluffycarpet]

once again, saying "you'll" be fine is missing the point of face masks. They are there to protect others.

However I agree with you to some extent. Walking down the street there's little point. Also I see people in their cars, on their own, with the windows up wearing them. Not sure who they are protecting.

However even if you are outside. if you are in a situation were you are in close proximity to someone else for a long period, you should wear one. The longer your are close to someone the higher the risk of passing a virus on.

I would agree with you if people wore them properly, but they don't. Whenever I have been with someone wearing one they constantly fiddle about with it and touch their face. Doing that makes it pointless. And those people that wear them with their nose sticking out is laughable.

 

[1finny]

I would disagree with this. look at the countries that tend to have more face mask wear. those countries have survived the first wave much better than countries where facemark use isn't a thing. Taiwan is a great example. They found out when they were hit badly by SARS just how useful facemarks could be in slowing the spread.

ST - that's called coincidence not cause and effect. As an example - people in Singapore habitually wear face masks. They have had a terrible time.
Your opinion is clear but the scientific opinion hasn't really changed

 

[SmallTown]

I would agree with you if people wore them properly, but they don't. Whenever I have been with someone wearing one they constantly fiddle about with it and touch their face. Doing that makes it pointless. And those people that wear them with their nose sticking out is laughable.

I know, it's amazing to me that people wear them without covering their noses. it's just, like, "you don't get this, do you?"

 

[Randy]

From government guidance I had to read through the other day.

 

[SmallTown]

ST - that's called coincidence not cause and effect.
Your opinion is clear but the scientific opinion hasn't really changed

Is it coincidence though? It's remarkable that all the countries that have dealt will with the situation (Nz zealand excepted) are ALL in countries wear wearing face masks is more usual. It's a hell of a coincidence.

Also, if we agree that the virus transmission we are trying to slow down is from water droplets on your breathe you can easily prove that a facemask slows that down. Try fogging up a mirror. Then put a mask on, and try fogging it up again. It's SO much harder.

 

[1finny]

Is it coincidence though? It's remarkable that all the countries that have dealt will with the situation (Nz zealand excepted) are ALL in countries wear wearing face masks is more usual. It's a hell of a coincidence.

Also, if we agree that the virus transmission we are trying to slow down is from water droplets on your breathe you can easily prove that a facemask slows that down. Try fogging up a mirror. Then put a mask on, and try fogging it up again. It's SO much harder.

Yes - its coincidence.
And the science hasn't changed

 

[Laughing]

ST, the WHO don't agree with you, they in fact strongly contradict your opinion. I am sure there are other scientific bodies that would agree with you. I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other, but scientific evidence doesn't generally support your viewpoint

 

[SmallTown]

ST, the WHO don't agree with you, they in fact strongly contradict your opinion. I am sure there are other scientific bodies that would agree with you. I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other, but scientific evidence doesn't generally support your viewpoint

Fair enough. But try the mirror trick. I know it's not scientific but how, if the virus can be spread on water droplets, can limiting those water droplets not help in some way.

Look, people often misunderstand on here so I'l clarify a few things.:

1. I don't think face masks will help the wearer AT ALL
2. I know there is limited scientific evidence but I believe diffusing your breathe has to have some impact in LIMITING (note, not stopping) the spread, as bourne out by the countries that do wear face masks and have coped with wave 1 better.
3. It's only a small thing, and social distancing, washing your hands and being considerate are way better but none of these things are mutually exclusive. You can do all of these things but people need to go to the shops for supplies, some people have to use public transport.

 

[Malaguena]

Once again Britain refuses to learn from other countries and acts far too late. Here its been mandatory (and enforced) for a few weeks in all public places - even outside if you can´t keep 1.5m away. Shops, etc. don´t let you enter without one. I would say that 90 odd percent of people are wearing them that you see in the street. Its become a habit.

About the cost, the government here fixed the price at a maximum 60 cents for the typical hospital type ones so its not exactly expensive.

Hey mate - less of that common sense and learning from other countries who have managed it far better nonsense. UK has had a world class response remember - Boris said so

Loads of experts and face mask deniers on this board won't agree with you either

Just like lockdown - mandated and enforced over here, hinted at and ignored in the UK

 

[Alvez_48]

Same here in New York.

Same New York that was the epicenter of epicenters?

Maybe it's just because the virus has run its course and summer has come to NYC. The number of hosts who can spread the virus is less and the weather has made it harder to transmit despite mutations making it more virulent, like every respiratory virus prior and like it has here...

@SmallTown you never answered my question how was what I said worse?

 

[SmallTown]

Hey mate - less of that common sense and learning from other countries who have managed it far better nonsense. UK has had a world class response remember - Boris said so

Loads of experts and face mask deniers on this board won't agree with you either

Just like lockdown - mandated and enforced over here, hinted at and ignored in the UK

And, is Spain getting 150 deaths every day too?

 

[NYboro]

Same New York that was the epicenter of epicenters?

Maybe it's just because the virus has run its course and summer has come to NYC. The number of hosts who can spread the virus is less and the weather has made it harder to transmit despite mutations making it more virulent, like every respiratory virus prior and like it has here...

@SmallTown you never answered my question how was what I said worse?

The virus has not run its course; the infection rate has gone down dramatically because of the steps the Governor took, even if he was very late doing it - hence being the epicentre. I completely agree with those who say that anyone not wearing a mask is an inconsiderate, selfish b@stard. As for the weather - the Southern states are now the epicentre and guess what they're not doing.

 

[1finny]

Hey mate - less of that common sense and learning from other countries who have managed it far better nonsense. UK has had a world class response remember - Boris said so

Loads of experts and face mask deniers on this board won't agree with you either

Just like lockdown - mandated and enforced over here, hinted at and ignored in the UK

All some of us are doing is repeating the much publicised science from UK and WHO.
I don't give a flying firk about them and we all have them ready just in case.
There is contrary science

 

[Alvez_48]

The virus has not run its course; the infection rate has gone down dramatically because of the steps the Governor took, even if he was very late doing it - hence being the epicentre. I completely agree with those who say that anyone not wearing a mask is an inconsiderate, selfish b@stard. As for the weather - the Southern states are now the epicentre and guess what they're not doing.

99% of the UK are selfish b@stards then, you should probably stay over in new York