there is a petition to make masks compulsory here:

Well, suppose we all have to choose our experts. Let’s face it, we’ve never had so much choice.

If they became compulsory people would expect the government to provide them. The masks available should go to those who work in the front line. There is nothing stopping people wearing home made masks. I am making masks for care homes and community carers etc. There are groups all over the country doing this. If anyone works as a carer or face to face with the public get in touch with your nearest cloth masks group and you will be sent some free. I have also made them for us and family. I was the only person in Tesco last week wearing a mask and gloves.

I’m not relying on Government advice, I wore a mask when I went to the Chemist to collect a prescription and gloves. At least if I catch the virus I will know that I tried not to!
I really believe that the reason they aren’t telling us to wear face masks is because people would want them delivered to their doors, free, and there simply aren’t enough to go around.
I’ve made my own. They might not help, but then again they might.

Compulasory ?

Exactly my thoughts Oopsadaisy. I've made my own too. And no, wearing one doesn't make me complacent about the social distancing rules, or make me believe that I'm 100% or even 50% protected. I don't know. But they might be helping.

Good for you Oopsadaisy; as well as protecting ourselves I can't understand why people wouldn't wear something that could potentially prevent them from infecting someone else.

And at least, or so the current thinking seems to indicate, wearing one could mean I might reduce the chances of infecting other people if I have the virus but am asymptomatic.

X posts MayBee

FFS things dont have to be mandated for you to do it if you want to!

Why not a has mat suit? In for a penny in for a pound.

I've noticed that people who wear masks tend to readjust them thereby touching the mask on the inside and outside. Any virus/bacteria present on the outside could easily be transferred to the inside.

I can maybe see the point if you have to travel on very crowded public transport but otherwise keep 2m away from other people.

I have no wish to wear a mask. I hate having my face covered. My skin itches and splits as it reacts to the fabric and sweat.

People with COPD etc who gasp for breath anyway could end up reluctant to exercise (which they need more than most) if there is going to be an extra thing that makes them feel they cant breath

The Czech Republic has been mentioned here on another thread, I live here, we have had face masks mandatory for the past month. You coudn't buy them, but people have made their own. To say that they are no use is like saying that there is no use blowing your nose into a handerchief, you can as well wipe it onto your sleeve. They don't protect a hundred percent but if everyone wears them, they will protect at least fifty percent.

I do suppose it doesn't have to be mandatory to wear masks- The decision could be left to the individual to decide if they "want" to spread the virus- Or not-

That actually makes more sense-

Not!

Maybe people would talk less as a result of mask wearing-
A blessing "in disguise"!

Get it??

I will wear a mask when I go out again. It will make me feel more comfortable.

I don't think you'd necessarily have to wear masks all the time but it's surely important to wear them on eg public transport and in supermarkets to protect the staff; it's the least we can do for them. I know for a fact that, if I sneeze [which I'm doing a lot these days; touch of hay fever I think] unless I have a tissue actually in my hand at the time I don't have time to find one and cover my mouth. I may be wrong about this and, if I am I'll eat my hat [or mask] in a few months time, but I reckon the youth of this country will embrace the wearing of masks and we'll need to follow their example.

I shall wear one of it is recommended but there do seem to be a lot of problems with them. Not everyone agrees they are necessary as yet, so I shall wait and see.

It needs to mandatory and it will be.

Why? We went to a quiet park of a park today so far away from others we could barely see them. Why wear masks there?

I did say public transport and supermarkets. Not parks etc. Other countries seem to be able to embrace it with no problems.

Seeing the latest news it looks as if it’s going to be a recommendation so I d better get moving Can’t see the point if you’re not going where people are but hey ho I m not a rebel

This virus in particular is a novel virus- And they are discovering new things about it daily- It's causing clotting issues- It can damage organs- It can be carried aloft on participate matter and travel further than 6 feet- It can survive on a variety of surfaces-

It's a rapidly evolving situation-

I did say public transport and supermarkets. Not parks etc. Other countries seem to be able to embrace it with no problems.

Just because other countries are seen doing it doesnt mean its problem free! You WONT see the COPD sufferers who avoid going out because the extra layer just make it too hard to breath. Theyre not in the news footage. Its all fit youngsters trotting around in them on ths news from those places!

But people who wear masks will be doing it to protect people with COPD who are very high risk. It isn't something we do to protect ourselves; we do it to protect others. Which is why it's great that young people are doing it as, thankfully, thus far they are still very low risk.

But people can still do that MayBes if it isnt maditory

And it shouldnt be as its not a one size fits all situation.

Mandated masks means a deaf person couldnt ask you to temporarily lower your mask so they could lip read etc