UK face coverings discussion

[MikeWM]

Yes, funny that. And the "growing evidence" is never referred to now, it's just "Do as I say or be slapped with a £200 fine".

I think we all know full well that we'll never see any evidence that putting a mask on for fifteen seconds to get a to a table in a pub or restaurant, then taking it off again, is going to achieve anything of any use.

 

[bramling]

Interesting suggestion but is it actually a different strain?

I do agree with your last paragraph but I'm not sure that any change in strains will be down to mask wearing. I'd be interested to hear virologists views.

I can’t see why masks should be relevant, as if they’re telling us most transmission has been happening in houses and hospitality venues, in neither of these places do masks apply. So you’re left with shops where I don’t think there’s enough contact, and public transport which many are still shunning.

 

[Bletchleyite]

However there have been a lot of reports to suggest the new strain may be more contagious but result in milder symptoms (which is, evolutionary, to the benefit of the virus)

And to our benefit too. If it stops killing people, who cares?

 

[island]

I think we all know full well that we'll never see any evidence that putting a mask on for fifteen seconds to get a to a table in a pub or restaurant, then taking it off again, is going to achieve anything of any use.

Well, in England you’re legally obliged to wear it until your food or drink comes, which will be more than fifteen seconds. But the underlying point probably still holds.

 

[NorthOxonian]

Well, in England you’re legally obliged to wear it until your food or drink comes, which will be more than fifteen seconds. But the underlying point probably still holds.

Is that really the case? It seems a little ambiguous from the regulations, but it doesn't seem like most pubs or restaurants see it that way.

 

[WelshBluebird]

Well, in England you’re legally obliged to wear it until your food or drink comes, which will be more than fifteen seconds. But the underlying point probably still holds.

Isn't it until you are seated rather than until your food or drink arrives?
Certainly that is how the places I visit and know about have interpreted it.

 

[bengley]

Well, in England you’re legally obliged to wear it until your food or drink comes, which will be more than fifteen seconds. But the underlying point probably still holds.

It's until you are seated

 

[BJames]

Isn't it until you are seated rather than until your food or drink arrives?
Certainly that is how the places I visit and know about have interpreted it.

That's what I thought as well. Not too keen on the idea of sitting at a table with my mask on until I have my food. Might just stick to ordering in if that's the case.

 

[jtuk]

Awful report on some Swiss website highlighting the levels of (non-Covid) contagions that a random sample of masks collected - half had over 100k bacteria on them, over 70% had those that can directly cause pneumonia, similar numbers found mould and yeast. But hey, health

 

[DustyBin]

Awful report on some Swiss website highlighting the levels of (non-Covid) contagions that a random sample of masks collected - half had over 100k bacteria on them, over 70% had those that can directly cause pneumonia, similar numbers found mould and yeast. But hey, health

I'm not at all suprised (I posted my thoughts on this the other day). But hey, it's the public's fault for not changing them often enough!...

 

[island]

Is that really the case? It seems a little ambiguous from the regulations, but it doesn't seem like most pubs or restaurants see it that way.

Isn't it until you are seated rather than until your food or drink arrives?
Certainly that is how the places I visit and know about have interpreted it.

It's until you are seated

That may be what people believe to be the case, but it isn’t what the regulations say. The English regulations require face coverings to be worn in pubs/cafés/restaurants unless it is reasonable to remove them for the purpose of consuming food or drink. See SI 2020/791 section 3 (1) and 4 (1) (e). Schedule 1 paragraphs 1(2) and 2, which said that seating areas for the consumption of food and drink were not a relevant place where face coverings needed to be worn, were removed with effect from yesterday by SI 2020/1026. As such, if there is no food or drink on the table, the reasonable excuse in paragraph 4 (1) (e) cannot apply and you need to mask up.

By contrast, the Scottish regulations explicitly allow face coverings to be removed whilst seated, see SSI 2020/279 section 13 (e)

 

[yorkie]

Awful report on some Swiss website highlighting the levels of (non-Covid) contagions that a random sample of masks collected - half had over 100k bacteria on them, over 70% had those that can directly cause pneumonia, similar numbers found mould and yeast. But hey, health

Sounds interesting but can you provide a link to, and [translated] quote from, the article please? Thanks!

 

[Trackman]

Awful report on some Swiss website highlighting the levels of (non-Covid) contagions that a random sample of masks collected - half had over 100k bacteria on them, over 70% had those that can directly cause pneumonia, similar numbers found mould and yeast. But hey, health

reminds me of NHS catch it, bin it, kill it.
So if you sneeze or cough with your mask on it's just going to cause more problems, unless you bin your mask and wash your hands.

 

[Yew]

reminds me of NHS catch it, bin it, kill it.
So if you sneeze or cough with your mask on it's just going to cause more problems, unless you bin your mask and wash your hands.

Catch it, keep it alive, smear it all over your face?

 

[trebor79]

Awful report on some Swiss website highlighting the levels of (non-Covid) contagions that a random sample of masks collected - half had over 100k bacteria on them, over 70% had those that can directly cause pneumonia, similar numbers found mould and yeast. But hey, health

I've been saying this for weeks. It's common sense. Someone decried me for saying they might harbour moulds as well as bacteria, but there we have it. Some moulds are very serious if inhaled into the lungs are are effectively untreatable, leading to long term breathing difficulties.
Having made the effort to wear my mask in Tesco last night, I am again today suffering from something in my chest/throat. It's not exactly a sore throat but I have a tightness in my chest.
There is now a very clear correlation for me between wearing a mask for more than a few minutes and suffering some kind of chest infection, as well as the skin issues they cause on my face.
I think I'll just order a sunflower lanyard and be done with it.

 

[43066]

I've been saying this for weeks. It's common sense. Someone decried me for saying they might harbour moulds as well as bacteria, but there we have it. Some moulds are very serious if inhaled into the lungs are are effectively untreatable, leading to long term breathing difficulties.
Having made the effort to wear my mask in Tesco last night, I am again today suffering from something in my chest/throat. It's not exactly a sore throat but I have a tightness in my chest.
There is now a very clear correlation for me between wearing a mask for more than a few minutes and suffering some kind of chest infection, as well as the skin issues they cause on my face.
I think I'll just order a sunflower lanyard and be done with it.

You might find it easier to simply download the below from the gov.uk website, and save it to your phone.

 

[NorthOxonian]

I've been saying this for weeks. It's common sense. Someone decried me for saying they might harbour moulds as well as bacteria, but there we have it. Some moulds are very serious if inhaled into the lungs are are effectively untreatable, leading to long term breathing difficulties.
Having made the effort to wear my mask in Tesco last night, I am again today suffering from something in my chest/throat. It's not exactly a sore throat but I have a tightness in my chest.
There is now a very clear correlation for me between wearing a mask for more than a few minutes and suffering some kind of chest infection, as well as the skin issues they cause on my face.
I think I'll just order a sunflower lanyard and be done with it.

What type of mask were you wearing?

I ask because of an experience I had on Tuesday. I've generally avoided the blue plasticy disposable masks, but when I went to the barbers, they gave me one to wear instead of my normal face covering (which covers some of my hair). It was horrible, both at the time (my breathing felt much more difficult), and afterwards.

I've never had much problem with chest pains or similar after wearing face coverings before, but with a disposable mask it was completely different. I wonder if the different materials might have had an effect.

 

[island]

Awful report on some Swiss website highlighting the levels of (non-Covid) contagions that a random sample of masks collected - half had over 100k bacteria on them, over 70% had those that can directly cause pneumonia, similar numbers found mould and yeast. But hey, health

This is why disposable masks should not be reused, and reusable masks should be kept in a plastic bag and not reused until they have been washed at 60° or higher for at least half an hour.

 

[DustyBin]

This is why disposable masks should not be reused, and reusable masks should be kept in a plastic bag and not reused until they have been washed at 60° or higher for at least half an hour.

I've no doubt, but back in the real world.... And therein lies the problem!

 

[trebor79]

You might find it easier to simply download the below from the gov.uk website, and save it to your phone.

View attachment 83934

TBH I can't be bothered with it all now. I haven't ever actually been challenge when I haven't worn a mask, but increasing militancy from the government, sections of the public and some retailers makes it likely that I will at some point. At least if I have a lanyard it reduces the chance of me having to even have a discussion. I'm just tired of the whole thing. I want it to go away, it won't for a very long time but the lanyward will make it go away for me.

What type of mask were you wearing?

I ask because of an experience I had on Tuesday. I've generally avoided the blue plasticy disposable masks, but when I went to the barbers, they gave me one to wear instead of my normal face covering (which covers some of my hair). It was horrible, both at the time (my breathing felt much more difficult), and afterwards.

I've never had much problem with chest pains or similar after wearing face coverings before, but with a disposable mask it was completely different. I wonder if the different materials might have had an effect.

I have a cotton reusable one with elastic bands that go round the head, and some kind of polycotton one with ear loops. Barber makes me wear a disposable plasticy one.
Oh and they all make my glasses steam up. And I couldn't stop fiddling with it in Tesco last night because it was steaming my glasses up, or was irritating me or kept slipping down my face and off my nose. In the end I just left it over my mouth.

Just disgusting things and lots of disgusting behaviour around them.

 

[packermac]

Interesting suggestion but is it actually a different strain?

I do agree with your last paragraph but I'm not sure that any change in strains will be down to mask wearing. I'd be interested to hear virologists views.

Didn't quite early on the US outbreak the CDC say that the west coast strain seemed to be different to that on the east coast?

 

[yorkie]

Didn't quite early on the US outbreak the CDC say that the west coast strain seemed to be different to that on the east coast?

I don't recall that but I have previously linked to studies about the change in predominant strain (a search may find it; I'm on my mobile at the moment and about to take a tube!)

 

[Steam Man]

This whole situation is now just getting beyond the joke. We need a severe dose of reality in this country about this whole virus otherwise life isn't going to be worth living. After my mask experience today not sure I could deal with one for more than a few minutes. Seriously worried I won't be able to go to work soon, and can't work from home, as they'll bring it in there.

And also what we need is testing to be up to scratch and it’s not

 

[trebor79]

And also what we need is testing to be up to scratch and it’s not

Trying to do to much of it doesn't help. I heard on the radio today that Germany is to start restricting testing only to those with symptoms and stop worrying about finding every last asymptomatic person (and how do you know if they're infected and asymptomatic or a false positive anyway?). Seems eminently sensible.

 

[Kingspanner]

Awful report on some Swiss website highlighting the levels of (non-Covid) contagions that a random sample of masks collected - half had over 100k bacteria on them, over 70% had those that can directly cause pneumonia, similar numbers found mould and yeast. But hey, health

Here is an idea for you. In terms of numbers of cells, you are more bacteria than you are human.

 

[LAX54]

Same at my work. People are sick of it, utterly sick of it, and most just want to take their chances and get to as near to normal as possible.

same at ours ! also my wife is part of the at risk group, and is fed up with it, and would rather live a life than keep up with all this do this, do that, which then gets reversed ! also we have some friends in the 80's who also wish to get on with life, and is annoyed by all this 'kill a granny' blackmall ! they say we have had a good life, if it ends no then so be it, 30 years ago they would have not been here anyway is their view, they want to see people, go on holiday, not be locked indoors seeing no one, they say that is no quality of life !

 

[waytogo]

Just had an issue in a Post office, wouldn’t recognise an exemption card from the government website and refused service unless I hold my t shirt over my mouth...
This from behind a glass window. I usually carry a sunflower lanyard but had unfortunately forgotten it.
Never felt so humiliated, what has the world come to...

 

[Ascotroyal]

Just had an issue in a Post office, wouldn’t recognise an exemption card from the government website and refused service unless I hold my t shirt over my mouth...
This from behind a glass window. I usually carry a sunflower lanyard but had unfortunately forgotten it.
Never felt so humiliated, what has the world come to...

Thats disgusting. Name and shame them.

 

[trebor79]

Just had an issue in a Post office, wouldn’t recognise an exemption card from the government website and refused service unless I hold my t shirt over my mouth...
This from behind a glass window. I usually carry a sunflower lanyard but had unfortunately forgotten it.
Never felt so humiliated, what has the world come to...

What an absolute joke. Just pathetic.
Warrants a complaint I think, as well as seeing if you local newspaper might be interested in the story.

 

[Jamiescott1]

Has the law actually been brought in for mandatory face coverings in pubs and restaurants or is it one of those things where pubs were initially told to close by Friday night, but the law forcing pubs to close wasnt brought in until the following Thursday?