So masks are to become optional, do you think this is a good idea?

I think it's a good idea for masks to become optional. However, if some people still feel better and safer wearing a mask then it is up to them to decide what they want to do. We cannot keep hiding ourselves away forever we need to start moving on with life again.

Dinahmo

I'm at a loss to understand why wearing a mask doesn't protect one from catching a virus as some people suggest. If wearing a mask which covers my mouth and nose protects others from my exhalations, why aren't I protected from theirs?

They do give some protection, and more than minimal protection, but not everyone knows this. This is an article by a professor of medicine.
theconversation.com/cloth-masks-do-protect-the-wearer-breathing-in-less-coronavirus-means-you-get-less-sick-143726

Growstuff - taking personal responsibility doesn't mean that I refuse to wear a mask ever again. It means that I make the decision rather than the Govt. No need to use an exclamation mark in your response. I rarely comment on Gransnet due to this type of behaviour.

Marthjolly1

My fear is that it will be those very people who refuse to get vaccinated will be the first the ditch the mask, if they have been wearing one at all. They do not understand the reality of covid and just cannot take it on board. Like most people I dislike wearing a mask, however I would hate to think I might have passed it on unwittingly just because I don't like wearing a mask. That would be unforgivable

This is the crux of the matter I feel. I have a brother and sister, and a dear friend, all of whom believe that it is a conspiracy to end everyone's freedom. They have all actively refused to have the vaccine, say that masks don't work etc. etc. They and others with similar views call what they believe 'truth' (the dear friend calls it Truth' and that she is one of the people who are 'rescuing' people from the conspiracy!). They are, as Marthjolly1 says, going to be the first to stop wearing masks, and of course are unvaccinated, and won't distance themselves, not because they are selfish but because they 'know' it's a hoax. I think this is the danger of making masks non-mandatory at this stage. The rest of us will carry on making considerate decisions.

Yes happyogi that's what we were told at the start of the pandemic. Masks are worn to protect other people and give the wearer only minimal protection, unless they're hospital grade masks like surgeons wear.
I'll continue to wear mine for the foreseeable.

Athenia

Please do realise that masks do not give any protection, as the molecules concerned are easily able to penetrate them.
The press and media have been told to hype them up and deliberately spread fear and anxiety.
The actual incidence of death from this apparent virus is no more than normal seasonal influenza.
Look at the statistics and you will find that no-one died last winter from flu, as in a normal year. How can that be?
The rates were deliberately managed to intensify fear.
Please don't believe all that you or told, and check my statements too.

Surely the reason no one died from winter flu is at least two fold. There was a greater demand for the flu jab because it was thought that it might offer some protection against Covid. Secondly, we were under lockdown and so the flu virus had little chance to spread.

I personally won’t wear a mask when restrictions are lifted. However I will carry one with me at all times and will wear one if asked to do so.

I'm at a loss to understand why wearing a mask doesn't protect one from catching a virus as some people suggest. If wearing a mask which covers my mouth and nose protects others from my exhalations, why aren't I protected from theirs?

20,000 a day.

Biscuitmuncher

Everyone is still wearing masks, right? So why is the Delta variant on the rise? Because masks do nothing!!!!!

Not everyone is wearing a mask. Just look at the news of people at large gatherings. That's why the new variant is spreading so quickly.

Mask earing has been made compulsory in Israel again and thy have about 100 new cases a day. I think that in the UK it's over 2,500 per day.

I'm going to post this then I'm off.

We need some perspective here. Whilst we're in a pandemic situation, obviously we have to be careful about the health of ourselves and others. But we can't live like this forever, once the threat normalises. And normalise it will.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJrEiWsI4f8

I think it's yet another major, crass misjudgement by this crappy government.

Alegrias1

Well, you're cheery.

(Dinahmo, obviously)

Well, you're cheery.

Alegrias1

Share of people vaccinated in the UK: nearly 70%

Share of people vaccinated in Russia: 15%

Good point.

Santana and everyone else who hopes for a return to normal life. There will be no return to normal life as we knew it before the pandemic.

Missedout A few years ago some friends came to stay with us from the States. They used a range of precautions whilst travelling. Wiping the backs of the seat in front of them on the plane etc. Even the extreme of wiping the cutlery when we went into a restaurant. They had no compunction about doing this and it may be something that we will need to do in future.

It's certainly not cowardly to continue to wear a mask and many more of us may continue to do so. Anybody who ridicules you is an idiot. (Expletives omitted)

Share of people vaccinated in the UK: nearly 70%

Share of people vaccinated in Russia: 15%

The sad thing about these discussions on Covid seems to me to be every man/woman for themselves. What about joint responsibility to our communities? To the medically vulnerable, the poor living in overcrowded towns and cities, those in shops, offices and working face to face with the public, for example. Those who cannot afford to stay at home when testing positive? We are not all in the same position with regard to Covid risk, and often depend on others to keep us safe.

If you wear a mask yourself & maybe cotton gloves at least you are keeping yourself as safe as possible around people who have decided they will no longer wear a mask when it becomes optional

www.ft.com/content/f3d709e6-2285-4bea-a4e6-e35676813ca3

We have the highly infectious Delta variant and increasing infection rates - yet we're easing restrictions at a time when Russia are imposing more.

It just doesn't make sense until we take the economy into account. Of course, we can't keep restrictions much longer but masks aren't much trouble.

I think the legislation on them should continue. Why rely on others being responsible?

CleoPanda

Gosh, so much rubbish is being spouted online- everywhere I look.
I have several relatives working in hospitals and I’m taking their advice. One, in particular, is working with Covid patients.
Mask wearing is strongly recommended, mainly to stop you unknowingly passing on the virus.
It may offer you some small protection.
Double vaccinations DO NOT prevent you from catching or passing on the virus.
You may still get the virus but MAY not be seriously ill. However you MAY become seriously ill and need to be hospitalised. My relative currently has 3 seriously ill patients who have been double vaccinated.
The Delta variant is highly transmissible- 60% higher than the first cases. You are much more likely to catch or pass on this variant.
Children do get the virus and can become seriously ill.
Long Covid is very real and distressing.
Many people have recovered from mild symptoms, only to suffer from later recurring bouts of more serious symptoms.
In conclusion, mask wearing for everyone should be the norm and the scrupulous hygiene and social distancing indoors should be continued.
Everybody hates wearing masks but we need to!
My medical relatives think that any sane human being would realise this!!
PS. I had Covid early in 2020 and wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy or even on the stupid, selfish anti maskers/anti Vader’s.

‘You MAY become seriously ill’ after being double vaccinated.

It’s not just ‘may’ - the risk is far lower than if you are not vaccinated, especially if you don’t have other health conditions.

The risk of children becoming seriously ill is also very low.

There needs to be a balance between risk and the unpleasantness of wearing a mask. I’m not sure the current risks justify making everyone wear them, especially as the public may not continue to be willing to comply.

The wearing of masks protects people from not just Covid but from other airborne viruses. I'm someone who falls prey to a virus every time I get on a plane. One year my OH gave me one of his work masks for a flight to Puglia. I started to wear it but (foolishly) felt stupid so took it off. I spent the next 3 days hotel bound whilst he went off on his own. I shall certainly wear a mask on any form of public transport, mandatory or not.

I think that wearing of masks indoors in public places should be mandatory. This was discussed on James O'Brien's programme this morning. One lady explained how she had a rare lung complaint and had to use oxygen all the time. She had spent 600 days isolating. She was in tears. The other extreme was a young man who thought people should be able to go to night clubs without a mask. He had no thoughts about the staff in the clubs. Most people who contacted the programme were in favour of compulsory mask wearing.

PS . I also think masks on public transport is a good idea specially in rush hour when everywhere can get so rammed!

Any establishment shop pub hotel etc have the right to refuse either entry or to serve anyone they choose for any-or no-reason. Your establishment your rules. I'd have a polite notice asking customers to use a mask if they have one but if you're so scared, maybe the shop is not the environment for you? If you've had your jabs you're going to be ok anyway. If anyone is being objectionable you also can ask them to leave!