Coronavirus, face coverings and culture

Face covering

Late April

UK, 25%

Italy, 83.4%

United States, 65.8%

Spain, 63.8%

Royal Society, Prof Ramakrishnan

Public remained sceptical about their benefits

The message has not been clear enough

Guidelines have been inconsistent.

‘What we would like for the government is to be a bit stronger and clearer about the messaging and require it whenever you are in crowded public spaces where you cannot get more than two metres away from the next person’

‘anti-social’

Public transport and hospitals

Scotland, mandatory on public transport, shops from 10 July

World Health Organization, advised since June

Prof Paul Edelstein, University of Pennsylvania

Evidence that they protected other people was ‘clearer all the time’

‘Some evidence’ they protected the wearer

‘There are people without symptoms going about their daily business who are unknowingly breathing out droplets that are carrying the virus’

‘If they had their faces covered the majority of those droplets would be caught before they can infect other people

Wearing face coverings can help save lives and prevent disabling illnesses’

1) IgM ( iMmediate action)

2) IgG (the aGglutinating antibody)

3) IgA (from sAliva, sweAt and teArs)

(IgE in typE 1 hypErsEnsitivity) Kathleen

[AGIMA]

If you want the Americans to start wearing masks, tell them they are not allowed to. Fixed.

[euanr.skinner]

So... I will be looking up the ‘Royal Society’ and emailing them for Dr Campbell to be given full membership, or failing that, honorary membership... who is with me ? 😉

[williamrobin]

Borris OUT! John Campbell for prime minister, we need someone with some sense to lead us out of these terrible times

[raychang]

Mask-wearing is starting to "wear off" in Taiwan. We haven't had a new case in well over 2 months. Most things are back to normal, except international flights are still limited.

[julieingram]

I saw this quote and I think it fits the mask debate. It was said by Peter Marshall, "May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right."

[Mirandorl]

Not a snowballs chance. People are barely distancing anymore let alone wearing masks. Put a few people under 30 in a small local Tescos Express and you will see it. If anything its become a matter of pride to NOT be the one who distances. Its traditional British bloody mindedness - "Why should I be the one who _always_ backs down?"

[apm]

We should go back to our traditional garb in the US West. Cowboy hat, bandanna on the face, and two pearl handled revolvers on the hip. Social distance by sitting on a horse.

[donegalable]

I couldn't get a mask anywhere back at start of April, I do have full face respirators that I'd use when sandblasting. Wore it to the local shop, man I got laughed at but its 100% better than any n95 masks protects eye's too. I wear masks in any doors that are not my own.

[cqdude]

I keep hearing about people saying they can't wear masks because of this or that. If street food vendors in my country can wear masks in humid 100F weather, surely anyone can.

[davidhynes]

60 pounds fine in Scotland from 10 July if not wearing masks in shops.

[Sublimeoo]

Think a big part of the issue is the conflicting advice that was given when there were mask shortages, so people were told they shouldn't get them (so that frontline responders etc had necessary supplies) but now that the supply has caught up people are confused

[mendelscot]

If there is a member of the British public health community more deserving of an appointment to the Royal Society, given his efforts since January 2020, I can't think of anyone for suitable than Dr. Campbell.

[tinman]

I've been told that a mask improves my looks.

[kmechrd]

I do wear a mask when out in public (though I've come to loathe humanity, so that's a less and less frequent event). But I'd like to see humility from our purported "experts" over the 180 degree reversals of their guidance. "We got it badly wrong, we said masks weren't necessary. We're ashamed and sorry we put out bad guidance at first." That would help.

[randallanderson]

I see many people wearing masks too low and they are not covering the nose. Also, I have on occasion met people who when speaking in close to another person will lower their mask off their face to speak. I wonder, what do they think the mask is for? I am reminded of the man working a hamburger stand wearing the same rubber gloves to both handle the food _and_ the money.

[thebrowns]

The whole anti social thing won't help encourage English folk to partake. Look at the litter, the hedges people let grow over the pavement, the uncut lawns, flytipping, speeding, ignoring stop signs etc.
Too many uncouth selfish people that seem to take pride in failling in England.

[thecook]

Get over the discomfort- the ventilator is mega discomfort

[siriusorion]

"Cover your faces in public spaces!"

[SilverSergeant]

I went to a very common Texas retail store (Walmart) 2 days customer and employee was wearing masks.

[raid]

In Saudi Arabia masks are required by law to wear. A USD 250 fine is applied for not wearing it