there is a petition to make masks compulsory here:

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/

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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-

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.

There is currently no testing that tells you that information rosecaramel

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-

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.

People can still shield without lockdown

There is a tipping point where lockdown does more harm than good.

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

People are having job losses forced upon them because of lockdown

So why dont the lockdown fans OPT to stay locked down and give up their incomes instead.

Except they wont.

Or they already have non employment dependant income streams and dont care about those who are losing their jobs

Petitions dont guide the outcome of the discussion, they just get the topic put on the list if it has enough signatures. Which it already is.

Why sign a thing if you dont know how it works?

OK so the government are discussing facemarks, fine it does no harm and one takes a few seconds to sign a petition and let the government know what the people think and want.

An update here from the Czech Republic, "mandatory" certainly means that you can take your face mask off when talking to a person, who is hard of hearing, just keep your distance. All the TV newscasters wear face masks, the sign language ones have transparent shields. Face masks have moved on a bit from the first batches of home-made ones. Now women have ones to match their outfits, businessmen have sombre grey or navy to maych their suits, children have cartoon chatacters, the police and army have their own. I made some in the first instance, but I'm not very good at this, so I bought ten from some ladies from a bridal salon, who would otherwise be out of a job, they (the masks) are luxurious, made of very fine cotton, double-sided with elastic round the ears. We are told we'll be wearing them until July, maybe forever.

Presumably because doing something is inherently more proactive than doing nothing?

No its not

Petitions get the topic discussed in parliament if they reach a certain number of signatures.

Facemasks are being discussed in parliament. It's not a topic thats not already on an agenda. The petition is therefore moot.

So people signing this petition clearly don't understand what petitions are for.

Being "productive" would be making or getting their own masks, and maybe some for family and friends, and taking some personal responsibility rather than wanting everything mandated for them.

I'd imagine people who have got friends and family working in shops or buses or who are more fragile themselves or have lost somebody to the dreadful disease...

May want to do something about it...

Even if it's just forwarding on to the link at the bottom of a regular email...

I hope you're all having a good day and stay safe.

I'd sign a petition regardless of another's petition not to bother-

Disagree MawB, buy signing a petition it is a way of voicing the publics opinion. Why sit back and do nothing, make your voice heard in every way possible if you believe in what you are signing and I do.

Goldenlady
Why on earth do people thing “signing a petition” is somehow being proactive?
presumably because doing something is inherently more proactive than doing nothing
No, it is fooling yourself that somehow you are doing something a typical enough social media fallacy.
PS may I respectfully recommend you check out how to quote on GN. It’s the ^^ symbols not the <>
You will find it at the foot of the page if you are new.

@greeneyedgirl

>Firstly, your link goldenlady doesn't work.

It does, just not automatically like a video link - you will have to paste it in.

>Secondly, even if mask wearing was compulsory it would be difficult/impossible to police.

It has been done in many countries.

>Thirdly, would the government be able to supply approved style masks to everyone in the country I wonder. It's difficult enough for the vulnerable to get a flipping food delivery.

The solution is we probably need to start making our own.