there is a petition to make masks compulsory here:

So, lets all come out of lockdown and go for herd immunity? Is that what you're advocating?

You do realise that herd immunity was the aim of lockdown?
Lockdown was never ever about stopping CV19
It was only ever about spreading it out over a longer time..
It never aimed to reduce cases, only to have people get it in batches instead of all at once!

Everyone, at somepoint, is going to have to be exposed. CV19 isnt going anywhere and we cant lock down forever.

The goal never was to lockdown forever and everyone won't eventually be exposed- I live in one the most populated states with 80+ counties- The current projection from limited testing points a considerable percentage of those not exposed- The percentage is greater in less populated states where distance is a way of life-

There is currently no testing that tells you that information rosecaramel

There are tests that tell you you are actively infective IF enough cells are harvested on the correct day (so you can be infected and negative)

There are tests that tell you you have an antibody. You can be exposed to a virus and NOT have antibodies.

You can be negative to both AND have been exposed.

notanan, the percentages are "snapshots" based on compiled data from states "at this time" and data the WHO collected-The WHO had a briefing today- That's where I heard it as well as on the news-

Herd immunity is a dangerous strategy though isn't it and wouldn't it be safer to have vaccination...

There is also some discussion that you may be able to get it twice...

I've also read that if you get less of it... then you may only get a more mild case - which is why masks may be helpful... in reducing the level of transmission.

I wear one of the recommended, quite expensive, masks when I visit my Mum to take her shopping and deliver/collect her laundry.

It is extremely hot and gets very damp inside, even though I'm only wearing it for around 45 minutes. The flimsier masks are no doubt more comfortable but I can't see that they can be very effective.

I will not voluntarily wear a mask. There is not enough scientific evidence to prove that they are effective. Of course, in a hospital setting where patients have the virus or are suspected of having it, it is necessary for staff to have the full kit.

Please wear a mask if you want to but don't try to force everyone else to do the same.

I don't think that wearing masks should be made compulsory, but I do think that it should be recommended, and highly encouraged. Especially on public transport, and whilst shopping, and when in situations where you know you will be in contact with other people, in order to protect those working in such places.

Wearing a mask won't stop you from catching the virus per se, but it will help prevent those who are carrying it (many unknowingly) from passing it on. The point of the mask is to catch the coughs, sneezes, droplets, spray from mouths when talking, so there is less risk of passing anything on. It's all well and good saying, 'what's the point in wearing a mask if it doesn't prevent you from catching it', but it's not just about ourselves, it's about protecting everyone. The more people who choose to wear them, the more others will be encouraged to do so.

Some say that there is no proof it will make any difference, yet you only have to look at the statistics of countries who do wear masks, compared to those who don't. And, whilst some may say that it didn't stop it from spreading in China, well, with a population of 1.4+ billion, 84K confirmed cases and 4643 deaths (as far as we know) ... compared to the UK with a population of 67+ million, 161K confirmed cases, and over 21,000 deaths, I'm kind of thinking/hoping that perhaps it does go some way to help prevent the spread.

I currently live in a part of the world where pretty much everyone is wearing masks. People weren't told to do so by the government, or scientists, they simply decided to do whatever they could to hopefully protect themselves and others. Children, young adults, and the elderly all wear them. Some manufactured, some homemade. I guess the government here have also done a pretty good job, without too much dilly-dallying, or indecisiveness. Our confirmed cases are amongst the lowest, and I can count on one hand how many deaths we've had.

I do worry about my family back in the UK, and wish that the government, and anyone advising them, would get their act together. From afar, all I can see is confusion, and people getting fed up with the lockdown, and not knowing what they should, or shouldn't be doing. Stay safe everyone ... and, if you want to, please wear a mask without waiting to be told.

With the exception of a very small number of people who can't wear masks for medical reasons, we should all wear them anywhere where we could come into close contact with others or with surfaces contaminated by others. The evidence in favour of covering our mouths and noses may be considered "weak" but it is strong enough to persuade me that it could save lives. This chart shows why.

I’ll wear one and I have just ordered a small stash. The husband had to go for a blood test today so he wore one.
As varian said the evidence is strong enough for me to wear one.

Every year thousand of us die with the flu, maybe if we wear a mask, if we have any symptoms, thousands might be saved?
At the moment it’s seen as weak to stay at home from work if you feel unwell, hopefully that will change.

In Slovakia:

A pivotal moment came on March 13, when the anchor of the country’s most popular television program, Zlatica Puskarova, hosted incoming Prime Minister Igor Matovic and his health minister. Puskarova began by asking the government officials why they didn’t lead by example, handing them two face masks. They complied immediately, and from the next day the whole country started making and wearing face protection. Since then, no Slovak politician, news reporter, or celebrity would be seen in public without a mask.

foreignpolicy.com/2020/05/06/slovakia-coronavirus-pandemic-public-trust-media/