Face Masks in shops

Better late than never ?.
It's such a small thing to do but every little may just help. I'm just curious about pubs and restaurants.....

It’s great to see people standing up for their right to spread this lovely virus , Freedom is kinda limited in a hospital bed ... but each to their own in the search for the ultimate freedom ☠️

It is about time. They may not be overly comfortable but if they save a life or stop an infection surely it is worth it.

I read an article yesterday about a 30 yr old in America who went to a 'Covid party'. Apparently one person is tested as positive and has a party as they do not believe it. This particular 30 yr old caught the virus and died. Before he died he said no one believed it was out there. Whether this is fake news or not, if it is true it is very sad.

I will be wearing a mask.

This sums up very clearly why we're being asked to wear masks. It's to protect others, not ourselves, so the more people that wear them, the safer the environment is for us all.

I don’t think the government are seeing if people will comply, I think they’re giving people time to acquire the masks. People must comply. Not wearing a mask because it erodes your rights is exactly the same as not wearing a seat belt in the car or on a plane because it erodes your rights. Or choosing to smoke right next to someone because it’s your ‘right.’

I agree. The worst thing about this in the early days was the fear, no-one acknowledged anyone else. Luckily here that soon relaxed and we started saying hello again, albeit from a distance. Politeness, smiles, manners make the day a lot better

I have also found that quite a lot of mask wearers especially older men, feel that if they are wearing a mask it’s ok to get up close and even lean over to get things in front of me. They may be wearing a mask but that doesn’t mean they can’t spread it.

Masks only help if you are in a confined space or HAVE to get close I.e. hairdressers, nail bars etc

Surely this is the problem mbody one half of the population won't go to the shops if they have to wear a mask and the other half won't go unless everybody is masked. On balance I am happy to wear one but still not feeling any great need to 'shop' .

I'm happy to wear one. However the people of Japan have been wearing face masks for a while now, presumably because of pollution, but it hasn't stopped the country being affected by the virus.

Sorry typo- did'nt start well !!

My sister works in a shop and is deaf so she relies on lip reading. I can see why we need to wear masks but there will be many others like her who will find it difficult.

I think it's the best thing for everyone . I think that in any enclosed places or busy areas face masks should been worn .

So glad to see some opposing views here! It sisdnt tart well as a debate. I am with dancing jay JenniferEccles and others. I am a fit & healthy almost 70 years old I have been going to Supermarkets since the outbreak with social distancing of course. I have not seen family and friends for months ( family and grandkids all live away). We are now getting back to normal and i hope to see them in the next 2 weeks. Since shops opened i have been to a few small shops and to some large ones. NO MASK! I have studiously washed my hands etc. We went to a restaurant near us this week- wonderful- the staff all wore masks but every now and again pulled them down from the front to talk!! ludicrous cross infection everywhere if you believe what we are told. I want us to get back to a norm as the infection subsides. the fear is madness. Yes i do object to compulsory face masks in shops!!!

There is a correct way of wearing them though, I see so many people wearing them leaving the nose uncovered ... I live in France, this cartoon was in a surgery waiting room - self explanatory I think.

I'm with you Dancinjay. I have not worn a mask at all yet although I do have one in my handbag. I am very claustrophobic & am dreading the time I have to wear it.
I shop at a large Sainsbury's & everyone is very good about distancing & they let you in on a one out- one in basis so it has not been a problem at all. Everyone seems to be aware of keeping distances between shoppers & I have never felt worried at all.
Interesting that it does not come in until NEXT Friday- seems they are giving themselves time to see if it is popular or not.
Luckily they have self scanning so I do not have to queue & can just walk in & out happily & as there are very few people in the shop at any one time I can shop quite quickly- which is good as I am shopping for neighbours/friends too.
It will be interesting to see how many people DO wear a mask.

At last but too late for some

The wearing of face masks is an unnecessary and draconian measure which will reduce footfall in shops and delay the economic recovery. I shall not be going back in shops until this further erosion of my freedom is removed. The virus is decreasing rapidly. It seems Boris is just doing his weekly u-turn yet again.

I shall be wearing a mask in shops, and not going out to eat in a restaurant or pub. I did have an ice cream yesterday, but we were outside. I don’t wear a mask just because I’m outside, just if I have to go into a building. The girl in the kiosk who was serving the ice cream was wearing a mask, as I think all those who are serving food, or working indoors should be. I’ve seen waiters/waitresses on television news, serving food to people in pubs and not wearing a mask????

I won't be wearing one, its been scientifically proven they are ineffective.

Its got absolutely nothing at all to do with 'safety' but trying to enforce further ridiculous laws and statues.

"Dancinjay" You are lucky if you encounter social distancing everywhere. Masks should have been compulsory months ago but for the critical shortage for health and care workers. Wonder if you would be prepared to treat Covid-19 patients without a mask!

I live near the Danish-German border.

Wearing face masks in shops and on public transport is not compulsory in Denmark, but is so in Germany.

Quite honestly, there are the same number of new cases (none) on both sides of the border, so it is difficult to know whether the masks make a difference or not.

They might have done, if they had been worn earlier, as it looks as if the virus is close to having run its course.

I doubt that very many people would wear a mask unless legally required to do so.

I do see why you might feel that if you wear one, others should do they same, but other people probably feel certain they don't have the virus and realise that a mask doesn't protect the wearer. It prevents the spread of germs from the wearer to others.

Living in Scotland we HAVE to wear them in shops and public places. I think it's far better to do this, everyone is then the same. Before this was made mandatory I didn't often wear my mask, I felt I was being over the top if I wore it and others weren't, I felt self conscious, my daughter said the same, now we all have to do it it's so much easier to be the same.. I say bring it on!

It is all so contradictory. What is the point encouraging people to eat out with half price meal vouchers on the one hand and ensuring everyone is wearing masks while in shops?The job losses are going to be horrendous. No easy answers to any of it. Will life ever return to normal again?

I already wear one when I go to a shop. I haven’t been to many shops, I didn’t go shopping for over three months, we did Click and Collect at first and our son or daughter in law collected it. We still do Click and Collect but do pop out for other odd items we need. We both wear a mask when we go into a shop and will continue to do so. They protect other people and there is increasing evidence that they protect us too. Not 100% protection, but any protection is welcome.

I don't understand how a face covering can stop the spread. You still breathe all the same air in the supermarkets and with the air con on as well which definitely spreads all kinds of things. I think the air con should be turned off

My opinion is that people want them as they’re fearful and the government want them so that people will go out and spend money. No child under 11 in this country is advised to wear a face covering. It should emphatically never be worn if exercising (hence no young child who runs around all the time for example should have one on) and there is no need unless in a confined space so no need outside.