Face Coverings Compulsory

pinkrise - "the only people they may protect are other people not the wearer" so only everybody else? Do you mean only one person matters - the wearer - and everybody else can go hang?

Our local council has provided every one with a washable reusable mask, a disposable mask and a head visor.

Here in Portugal we have had to wear masks since May 4th whenever we are in public. If you aren't wearing one you are not allowed into shops clinics and even restaurants. On public transport you are fined if not wearing one. I have to wear one for 4 hours at a time when at the hospital for treatment and used properly your glasses do not steam up.

There is a very good mask pattern available on-line. I have made quite a few for the family and used Henry vac bags to add an extra filter.
This is a very good one and comes with templates and full instructions.
www.regmedctr.org/webres/File/OlsonMask_wPattern_v3-USE%20THIS%20ONE.pdf

Bellasnana if they can bear to wear them in Malta surely we can wear them here?

Would-be criminals will have a field day.
" Could you describe the person ?". No, they were wearing a mask ".

I think they should have been made compulsory from the start, you only have to look at places like Korea, Singapore Hong Kong to see how swiftly they got matters under control largely helped by wearing face masks in public.
Photos of public transport in London, especially on the tube continue to show people jammed together without any face coverings even though the London mayor has been advocating wearing them for some considerable time. I think the initial lack of face masks and the need to keep them for front line health workers stopped the govt from recommending them.

I think it's a very British attitude to not being told what to do by the nanny state!

Why is it always the cart before the horse ? A bit late in the day to be having this now isn't it ? There now won't be any masks to be had, so I'll wrap a thin scarf around my nose and mouth-------if I go out anywhere, though no buses for me until they're all steam-cleaned and disinfected and even then I'll think twice.

If it protects others and we all wear them surely we are all protected?? I think we make a lot of fuss about stuff I really do.

Oh well, if it "only" protects others, it hardly seems worth it.

I've seen this said a few times on here, and it baffles me.

My son’s usual occupation is sportswear design.He has diverted to face masks.Website gives all the details.I have two pretty ones which I wear to my local shop when I but milk and a paper. I would certainly wear on public transport. Www.fxg_masks.co.uk

The advice is they can do more harm then good, as they create a feeling of safety, which they do not provide. People pull them on and off and wear them as headbands and all sorts. If you've touched a surface then touch your mask you have more risk of getting infected then if you don't wear one. It creates a false sense of security, and the only people they may protect are other people not the wearer, who is probably at more harm wearing one then not

Theoddbird:

'It was the responsibility of individuals not the government telling them to do it.'

In this case, masks protect other people, so it is a government duty to make them compulsory - should be in shops too!

Aepgirl I agree with your comment on how some wear them. I was aware of a woman behind me in checkout queue wearing a mask. She took a fit of coughing behind me and the checkout girl’s jaw dropped.

I realised why after glancing round. She’d pulled the mask down to cough! I’m relieved 2 weeks have passed and I’m fine as I was in her firing line.

Also some are strolling round with masks that have clearly been worn multiple times and nothing but a health hazard.

We’ve had to wear masks here in Malta for weeks now when shopping in any kind of store or going into offices, clinics, hairdressers, etc.
If you don’t wear it, you don’t go in. Some places take your temperature as well, and all ask you to sanitize your hands with sanitizer that the shop provides.

In the heat it is very uncomfortable but it’s the law so we just have to abide by it and hope it helps stop the spread.

Aepgirl I see that a lot too. The masks are up and down and removed to speak into mobile phones. Also some people don't seem to realise that their nose should be covered too.

I agree with wearing them. Just means we lip readers will have a harder time - but a small price to pay and may lead to some hilarious or embarrassing conversations!! And they don't steam up glasses if worn properly (ex RN)

Better late than never.

Two more posts while I was typing that!

Nobody has stopped anyone wearing a facecovering. Anyone could have worn one right from the beginning. It was the responsibility of individuals not the government telling them to do it. It seems that people are unable to take responsibility for their own safety. Nobody expects someone to hold their hand crossing the road after all.

PS - they were made in Hampshire by a small business which normally makes cheerleader uniforms but during the epidemic have turned to making scrubs and masks. Send me a PM if you would like their URL.

People don’t seem to know how to wear masks. I’ve seen them pulled down to talk to people, which really defeats the object.

HannahLoisLuke I’ve seen care home managers and community care providers state on tv they’ve had to buy their masks from amazon and eBay.

Also staff working for care agencies buy from these sources when their employers can’t source enough supplies to adequately protect them.

The problem with masks causing steamed-up glasses can be prevented by putting a bit of soft plastic wire into the top edge of the mask, covering the nose and extendingan inch or more across each cheek. You can bend the wire to hold the fabric closer to your face so that your breath doesn't rise up . The ones I bought have this in them, and are very comfortable to wear.