Do people think the pandemic is over?

Of course it's not 'over' duh! About 650 new lab tested positives yesterday and also about 150 deaths. And they are finding now that even asymptomatic cases have lung damage visible on CT scan. Avoid it if you can.

The sort of masks we as the public wear are to protect others, so why wouldn't you want to do that? As for all this talk of damp, germs, can't breathe etc DH has had to wear a mask all day in his work as a dentist as do all the rest of the clinical team and many other health care workers for decades now. It took some getting used to initially but that's all.

I had the plumber here today to fix a leak. He had the whole kit on, face mask, gloves, plastic bootees. Social distancing throughout, I was well impressed.

We have one of the worst death rates in the world so I think our “experts” have made some pretty bad decisions. Asian countries wear face masks almost automatically and have done a much better job all round. Very low death rate and very quick contact tracking. Frankly we should all be made to wear masks. I will continue to wear mine but wish others would have as much care for me.

Our local pharmacy is small and has signs outside on windows and the door that only 3 people allowed at one time. Distance markings and one way route. I was waiting to collect prescription with two others in line. A female opens door, walks right in and up to counter way past the "stay behind this line" mark and gives details for her collection. I was so annoyed I loudly said to the assistant the signs need to be made bigger as some people don't seem to notice them. Another person just called out"it's amazing how many people nowadays don't seem to be able to read"! The culprit meekly left and stood outside. That person knew she had totally ignored the notices etc and I fear that is going to creep in in the pubs/restaurants scene.

I had my mask on for the first time yesterday as I had to go to the surgery for a pneumococcus vaccination. My hay fever decided to start up at that moment!

I agree with Oopsminty. I think it's going to be around for some time to come and so we have to learn to live with it. I am well aware of all the risks, but I choose not to live in fear. I don't go out as often as I used to. I always wear a mask when going into a shop and of course maintain social distancing, hand washing etc.
I respect everyone's right to do what they feel is in their, and others, best interests. I know some people who are still putting goods into quarantine, sanitising everything etc etc. Personally I can't live like that and maintain mental well being. We are seeing our family who all live locally. We have all discussed it and have the same take on being sensible. Didn't someone once say that simply living is a a risk?

Listened to article on radio 4 the other day and it appears there is more research coming out that Covid 19 *IS *transmitted through air born droplets and that the use of masks do in fact help to prevent the spread. Hence why no singing, shouting or playing of any wind instruments! I’m not a fan but if I have to wear a face covering I wear a pretty scarf.

I’m in the states and we are living the worst nightmare. I have been out twice since March and people are not all wearing masks. Places are not enforcing mask wearing either even though there are signs saying to do so. I asked why they aren’t enforcing what their sign says and they tell me they don’t want violence. The non mask wearers say it’s their rights that are being violated. And I might add that our leader is NOT an example for the country.

Too many mixed messages about face masks I feel. I feel I should wear one in the supermarket but such a small amount of others are doing it so is it worth it. Though having read yesterday that Tesco's have stopped their one way system, I'm more inclined to now

Even if it gives some level of protection to others and smaller protection to the wearer I think it is worth it. More research is progressing on this new virus all the time, and the fact that small aerosol droplets linger in the air inside for long periods of time certainly concentrates the mind when going into busy places.

I think masks should be mandatory in shops for example. What is surprising is seeing professionals such as nurses, in outpatients when OH went, and in my case an optician, touching masks repeatedly.

I remember people arguing that cycle helmets would create a false sense of security so wouldn’t impact on cyclist’s deaths, before that people argued that seatbelts would result in people being trapped in cars and thus unable to avoid being burned to death in car crashes. Now we have extraordinary nonsense bandied about re the ‘dangers’ of wearing masks. Same nonsense, same reluctance to change behaviour. Wear a mask not a tin foil hat!!!

I haven't left the house since March ,but bought some masks online in the hope I wou l d then be brave enough to venture down to the shops. I've seen and read reports on our local Fb page of people going about town as normal ,no masks or distancing, so now I'm too scared to try. If they were compulsory I wouldn't be so worried and could actually go out. So many people with a 'me, me' attitude, what about protecting everyone else. Yes masks may not be particularly comfortable but I'm prepared to wear one despite having asthma

I have got a mask but never worn it as apparently it only stops you passing on the bug it does not prevent you catching it. I'm surprised more people do not know this- it is on the news enough!
I don't think it is totally over yet but it seems to be round here. I know there are still hot spots further away - is it Leicester that has a lot still?
I have not heard of anyone I know who has had it or known anyone who has- except our neighbour who is a nurse & works at hospital but even there it is not too bad.
Hopefully we can relax a bit more towards end of August.

Touching of masks, then touching other surfaces, is worrying.
Also, of course, having touched surfaces and then fiddling with the mask and touching the face.

I can avoid the latter, for myself, but not the former.
So I guess I need to get even more neurotic with the hand gel.

There have been many interesting comments about the mini budget this morning and reasoning behind it. What seems overwhelmingly certain is the economy is in dire trouble,really bad. The majority of easing has been done to get the economy moving and those that can to get back to work/spending. Apparently even the chancellor has admitted if we had another mass lockdown due to a second wave the economy wouldnt recover. Hence childeren will go back to school and their parents will be fined if not as those parents need to be in work. My feeling is health wise other than the government guidelines it's down to individuals to take responsibility themselves whether that's with regards to social distancing,leisure,work,family. The virus is still there,some argue to same extent as before,we are just not told to stay at home. For me it's interesting to see what you cant do. So you can have a driving lesson but your father cant walk you up the aisle unless in your household. Even visits within family bubbles are expected to maintain social distancing. The pandemic isnt over but how we react to it has changed. All people can do is be fully aware of how to protect themselves.

I have got a mask but never worn it as apparently it only stops you passing on the bug it does not prevent you catching it.

You wouldn't like to show consideration for others, by wearing a mask.
Also, the more people who do wear them the more likely that others will follow suit, thus protecting you.

I struggle with wearing a mask because I’m asthmatic and also have got horrendous hay fever. With or without a mask, my nose and eyes run constantly at the moment and I go through loads of tissues. It’s not just in the country or gardens, even in a seaside town yesterday, I really suffered. Then, of course, my glasses steam up with a mask on if I’m trying to look round a shop! I’m wiping my eyes and nose, steaming up and struggling to breathe comfortably, lovely! It’s unbearable really but I still so want to go shopping!

I wish everyone would realise how terrified small children are of black and dark masks. Little GS is now having nightmares after a black masked workman came to fix a door in his house. GDs are scared if they see one in the street. Macron might think his looks smart, but I hope he doesn't try and talk to a child wearing one.

There are lots of patterns out there or you can make your own. The pale blue surgical ones are fine. Please don't wear dark ones!

suziewoozie

Sorry - forgot this

Thanks for my first gut-laugh of the day, @suziewoosie!

I bought two face shields - so easy to wear.
I wish face masks/shields were mandatory- and enforced. My DH has been on trains and many people don't wear masks. I notice dame on passing buses.
I have mild lung issues - can't breath with reusable masks DH bought

There is conflicting evidence and there are conflicting opinions among the scientists and experts, but I have seen a variety of experts recently, both on news programmes and online, who have said that there is now emerging evidence that the wearing of masks does give some protection to the wearer as well as members of the public. In fact one study, it might have been in America, but I’m not sure, concluded some 65% protection to the wearer. There is increasing evidence that the virus hangs around in the air more so than previously thought. We are finding out more about how this virus behaves every week, and it has always seemed to me that wearing a mask only protects others is quite ridiculous. If the mask prevents me breathing the virus, if I had it, on to others, why would the physical barrier of a mask not give me some protection against others breathing the virus on to to me? I might be a bear of very little brain, but for the life of me, I cannot see why a mask would work one way, but not the other.

I went to the coop while my husband went to the chip shop, (first time since March!) and we were the only ones in both places wearing a mask. I certainly got some funny looks,but bearing in mind the area we are has just had a,mini spike in cases I’ll live with it!
It’s,not gone away.

So glad I joined this group as sometimes I think it is only myself and family who are being careful.Just heard from an 85 year old friend with heart problems who has booked to go out to three different restaurants to meet three different groups of people in the next week "now the risk is over"!. At low risk I only go out for walks and have everything delivered. I will let the younger people spend until the risks are far lower.

Whitewavemark2 and parkersheen, I absolutely agree.