Should we wear a face mask? 6 Minute English

With the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic, people in many countries around the world have started wearing face masks to protect both themselves and others they come into contact with. In this programme Rob and Sam discuss whether wearing masks in public can help prevent the spread of coronavirus in the community, in this episode of 6 Minute English.

This week's question:
When and where were face masks first widely used? Was it:
a) 1855 in Vienna,
b) 1905 in Chicago, or
c) 1955 in London.
Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary from the programme:
equivocal - difficult to interpret because it seems to have two opposite or contradictory meanings

it stands to reason (that) - is obviously true from the facts

heated debate - discussion or argument in which people become angry and excited

emitting - sending out into the air, for example a noise or smell or a virus

mask shaming - criticising, mocking or humiliating someone for not wearing a face covering

false sense of security - belief that you are safe when you are not

#bbclearningenglish #facemasks #coronavirus #6minuteenglish

We like receiving and reading your comments - please use English when you comment.

[Amelia-dlsh]

Facemasks are essential nowadays not only to protect yourself but also others too

[ElgraeProductions]

Dear viewer. Please read the Warning label on your mask box and it'll give you all the answers. After that, don't ever watch the main stream media ever again.

[esraafadel]

It stands to reason, all of us have to wear face mask; don't feel embarrassed or shame turning a deaf ear to those who don't care

[annal]

In Vietnam, government enforced all people wearing face masks to prevent virus spread. The authority supposed that people can’t surely know whether or not they are being infected. So using face masks in the public is the best way to protect people health in this situation and They’re right. Vietnam is completely successful in COVID-19 pandemic. So, why not? We are all want this virus to go away. We want normal life like last year.

[ronaldguzman]

I learnt something new today, thanks BBC!!

[candytwiggytwist]

Strangely, nobody is questioning if medical staff should or should not wear masks.

[walkslyricsandmore]

Wearing a mask protect yourself and the others, why such a big problems for someone somewhere?!

[palomadune]

In my country, the president never wears the mask. For this reason, many Brazilians do not wear a mask. But, other Brazilians are careful and prefer to wear the mask

[raymondchow]

Hi ! could u provide transcript with word to word?

Moreover, for the section of " news review " I want u to provide transcript which format is the same as "six minutes" in order to understand the contents for us.

Your little effort will help us greatly!

Wonderful productions !
Thank you !👍👍😘😘❤❤❤

[GREEN-cino]

why don't you show full transcipt in the description?

[SYOUTAROUSYOUTAROU]

Wearing face masks is controversial, but I reckon what is happening now in the world is evidence. It stands to reason that wearing face masks.

[mount]

Researches are limited, and the results of them always change, so waiting for the right answer is unwise, that's my opinion.

[NhungNguyen-zbbi]

I live in Vietnam now and here we have no infected case in the community for over 2 months and a half. And I'd like to say masks work. Vietnamese government suggested us to wear masks really early (from at the beginning of the COVID if I'm not wrong), and masks was mandatory in April, when we had almost 200 infected cases in the community. And you know the result, now we just have imported cases (repatriated Vietnamese people). So, don't be ashamed, no one laughs at you just because you wanna protect yourself and people around you. If they do, then they're covidiots.

[irfancv]

This was a good discussion.
The evidence of wearing mask is equivocal.
Some people say it stands to reason the the wearing mask not help to prevent from coronal epidemic.
A researcher has conducted a review. That it has also unfortunate negative consequences.
1.mask shaming( people feel they will be judge when they don't wear mask)
2. False sense of security

[jayathukral]

Very interesting! Got to learn a number of words and phrases.

[md.arifulislammashud]

It's a good way to improve
My listening

[Willian-AB]

Everyday when I wake up before have my breakfast lying in my bed I like to listening this podcast. About the face mask I already have 10 of them, and I use it when I have to do very import out

[MoonLight-rwlm]

İt is amazing. I have learnt a lot of new words. I think if I watch one video a day, it will help me to expand my vocabulary. Hopefully🍒✨

[MinutePsychology]

Many people tend to wear masks not for protection, but for the psychological comfort they offer.

[kyounghohan]

I don't think we should wear a face mask. Wearing a face mask should be up to our free will.