So masks are to become optional, do you think this is a good idea?

So why don't we make wearing a seat belt optional then if it's all about deciding our own risks.

I think screens in shops, where possible, is a good idea to protect shop workers but I'm not convinced of the benefits of face masks and/or other "precautions" we have been taking. If face mask, distancing and self isolation reduced the transmission, why are there still so many new positive tests every day?

I am very much in the "we have to learn to live with it" camp and personal responsibility needs to come into play much more - as someone said earlier, they will probably go shopping off-peak to avoid crowds, that is exactly what I am on about. We need to try to get back to a more normal life (I want a life now, not an existence!) and so if are still feeling vulnerable or do things differently to try to reduce your risk you are more than welcome to do that eg shopping off-peak, wearing a mask.

Every day we take risks - eating, drinking, smoking, driving a car, even walking in the street all have an element of risk of injury or possibly death - we can't avoid risk and we need to get the Covid risk into perspective now rather than trying to eradicate the risk entirely (which we will never do) and make our own decisions about what we do and don't do each day.

As a personal opinion, I think it's time to make them optional. Life is full of risks. Masks have been optional all our lives. We didn't feel the need to wear them before. Germs and viruses have always been with us. They have always been dangerous to people. I trained for 2 years as an Infectious Diseases nurse. Antibiotics and vaccinations have helped a huge amount over many years. Yes masks should be optional until we all learn to go back to normal. Whatever you are comfortable with is fine now.

I use the medical grade disposable masks - although I don't throw them away after one brief use, I hang them up in the spare room for at least a week and then they can be reused. I couldn't bring myself to throw them away after maybe 5 minutes of wear in Tescos. I do throw them away if they get damp or if I am wearing one for an extended period. As I understand it, whilst these masks are not perfect, they do give the wearer some protection (I vaguely recall something about 75%). My husband is extremely clinically vulnerable (ECV) so we will both continue to wear masks on public transport for the foreseeable future, and in shops until the covid figures have dropped to a reasonable level.

I know some are worried about masks becoming voluntary, but we cannot carry on like we are indefinitely. The country needs to get back to as close to normal as possible - covid is not going anywhere for the foreseeable future. As I understand it, come the Autumn, all over 50s and ECVs are going to be getting a covid booster in one arm and the flu jab in the other. I also believe quite a few people will continue to wear masks anyway, at least in some circumstances.

Elizabeth1 I too am seriously needlephobic but I forced myself to have the covid vaccines to protect my husband - I found the fear of having to go for the vaccines was far worse than the actual vaccinations themselves. However, when it comes to phobias, being logical is not as easy as some seem to think. Of course it will not be the worse thing any of us have to go through, but that does not stop me shaking before and afterwards - did manage to avoid a panic attack though so was pleased about that. Please tell your vaccinator that you are scared of needles - they will be sympathetic and make it as easy for you as they can

growstuff

MaggsMcG

First time I have had to admit that biscuitmuncher has a point. If masks work how come the Delta (Indian) variant is still rising.

Because the rates are rising in schools, where masks aren't mandatory and people are crowded into poorly ventilated spaces. The majority aren't vaccinated. Look at the stats and it's quite obvious what's happening.

It’s because it’s far more transmissible, even possibly outside. The Kent variant was more transmissible and the Delta variant even more so therefore the virus is now probably 100% more transmissible than it was a year ago. So we have to use every means possible of reducing transmission and viral load.

I think it’s now our own responsibility to decide whether or not to wear a mask, and do our own risk assessment. People’s social conscience should mean if you’ve got suspected symptoms then you must isolate or at the very least wear a mask and keep your distance.
We can’t live in a nanny state forever, everyone wants life beforeCovid.

Although it will be interesting to see what happens after July 19th, I’m sure we can all guess from the comments on here that some will continue to wear masks and others like me will be delighted to ditch the things.

Actually I am very tempted to have a ceremonial burning of the blasted things in the garden!

Having said that I never travel on public transport, so if for example I was a regular train user I may possibly feel differently.

It’s been stated several times that we will just have to learn to live with the virus, whilst getting back to a normal life, and that’s a sentiment I entirely agree with.

Athenia

Please do realise that masks do not give any protection, as the molecules concerned are easily able to penetrate them.
The press and media have been told to hype them up and deliberately spread fear and anxiety.
The actual incidence of death from this apparent virus is no more than normal seasonal influenza.
Look at the statistics and you will find that no-one died last winter from flu, as in a normal year. How can that be?
The rates were deliberately managed to intensify fear.
Please don't believe all that you or told, and check my statements too.

I think you are the one who needs to not believe all that you are told, especially by uninformed sources. If you took an objective look at the evidence, and understood it, you would think differently.

“ M0nica

Yes, we have got to get back to normal sooner or later. Like others I have been vaccinated and I live in a rural area where the chances of picking up the disease, let alone transmitting it are very low indeed.

I understand how so many people have developed a morbid fear of disease, but the death rates from COVID are now far lower than for a host of other illnesses including flu and heart disease and no one seems to worry about them.”

That’s great for you. You are totally incorrect about the flu killing more people…UK flu kills approx 15,000 a year each flu season, we’ve had a couple of very bad flu years where the figures have been higher but not as high as COVID 128,000+ in 18 months.

Heart disease, cancer etc might well kill more people each year, but they’re not contagious !

Masks are worn to protect others.

We need to learn to live with COVID, you are correct there, but that doesn’t mean bang on July 19th we bin all precautions !

Learning to live with covid just means accepting the fact that it’s ok for people to die or suffer from long term post viral symptoms just so that some people can bury their heads in the sand and pretend that we don’t have an unprecedented viral pandemic that we still don’t fully understand. imo I’m not worrying myself sick about it but neither am I pretending it no longer exists.

Some people are saying that masks only protect other people, not the wearer. This is almost certainly not true. This is an article by a professor of medicine, called ‘Cloth masks do protect the wearer – breathing in less coronavirus means you get less sick’.

theconversation.com/cloth-masks-do-protect-the-wearer-breathing-in-less-coronavirus-means-you-get-less-sick-143726

She says:

‘Laboratory experiments have shown that good cloth masks and surgical masks could block at least 80% of viral particles from entering your nose and mouth.’

The number of viral particles you breathe in can make the difference between being very ill and not even knowing you’re infected.

‘My colleagues and I believe that evidence from laboratory experiments, case studies like the cruise ship and food processing plant outbreaks and long-known biological principles make a strong case that masks protect the wearer too.’

They protect other people more, but they also protect the wearer.

I personally hate wearing a mask and can’t wait to stop, though I am willing to continue as necessary, and will probably wear them sometimes even if I don’t have to. But I think it’s important to take note of the evidence before making statements like ‘They don’t protect the person who wears them.’

I wish I had 5p for every time I've read "learn to live with Covid" and "get back to normality". I think they're meaningless soundbites and I really wonder if people have thought through the implications or even agree what they mean. They make good tabloid copy, along with numerous inclusions of "freedom" (as though we've all been captured and a blonde knight is going to save us ).

You’re wrong Athenia masks do protect you and other people. All the evidence is there - I suspect the scientists know more than you do on this?

Agree with Happiyogi, can't abide these people that come on the buses with a mask on covering their mouth and not their nose, what's that about?, Others come on wearing a mask then take it off.

Marthjolly1 you’ve hit the nail on the head I think. Our consciences will drive some of us to continue to wear masks to protect others, and to some extent ourselves.

If there is no mitigation, the infection rate will continue to rise, exacerbated by people not wearing masks, so the 15%ish of adults who are unvaccinated and those who are knowingly or unknowingly immune compromised will catch the virus. A large number of deniers (and immune compromised) will die or get long covid, which is the price the government has decided will be paid. It won’t be hundreds of thousands of deaths, but it will be thousands.

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I won't be using shops where mask wearing is optional, any more than I do now. I'm saddened by the numbers of people who have purchased sunflower lanyards, these lanyards were here before Covid and were a sign to shops that the wearer might need assistance as I have in the past. Now they are worn by some who have genuine reasons for not wearing masks, as well as a majority of wearers who CHOOSE not to wear them. Staff are not able to challenge their status by law.

I joined Slimming World and I was in the minority wearing a mask, others were wearing lanyards (n o t even the genuine ones), & joking about their not needing masks because they have a lanyard. Every member of that group is obese, many are also diabetic so in the at risk group. I didn't last long there as having been shielding until April, even with both vaccines I didn't feel safe.

It must be really difficult for shop owners in deciding on the rules relating to mask wearing going forth, I'm guessing that the fear is potentially losing their customer base, but whatever they decide it is their decision once the law changes.

Today Boris will let us know the restrictions being lifted for 19th July. It has been hinted that the wearing of masks and social distancing will go and that people will take responsibility for themselves. I have heard it said on at least a dozen programmes that once we make the moves on 19th July there will be no RETURN to previous times or lockdowns. The population must now learn to live with Covid and while we shall still hear of deaths it will be nothing like we have seen so far. The time is right for the country to get back to some sort of normality which must happen sooner or later.

Why am I feeling not that convinced with what the government are saying, and to me masks have become a way of life also social distancing use of hand sanitizer in shops and most other precautions.

Anti vaxers - nothing to do with Darth Vader. At least I don’t think so!

It is well known that wearing of masks and washing hands more stopped flu this past Winter. For this reason alone I think masks are a good idea. I will continue to use one. I would suggest that the original poster continues wearing a mask to protect herself. She can also continue to provide hand sanitizer.

Gosh, so much rubbish is being spouted online- everywhere I look.
I have several relatives working in hospitals and I’m taking their advice. One, in particular, is working with Covid patients.
Mask wearing is strongly recommended, mainly to stop you unknowingly passing on the virus.
It may offer you some small protection.
Double vaccinations DO NOT prevent you from catching or passing on the virus.
You may still get the virus but MAY not be seriously ill. However you MAY become seriously ill and need to be hospitalised. My relative currently has 3 seriously ill patients who have been double vaccinated.
The Delta variant is highly transmissible- 60% higher than the first cases. You are much more likely to catch or pass on this variant.
Children do get the virus and can become seriously ill.
Long Covid is very real and distressing.
Many people have recovered from mild symptoms, only to suffer from later recurring bouts of more serious symptoms.
In conclusion, mask wearing for everyone should be the norm and the scrupulous hygiene and social distancing indoors should be continued.
Everybody hates wearing masks but we need to!
My medical relatives think that any sane human being would realise this!!
PS. I had Covid early in 2020 and wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy or even on the stupid, selfish anti maskers/anti Vader’s.

I think we should be obliged to wear masks in view of the fact that the Delta variant of Covid is more transmissable and current vaccines less effective against it. I will definitely continue wearing a mask in shops etc. It's a no brainer in my opinion.

I personally think that we should continue wearing face masks and I will be definitely wearing mine. I really think it's idiotic not to keep this rule for the next few months as we get back to a more normal way of life and begin mixing, just to give us protection until we see how it all pans out. It just seems stupid to remove all barriers and I don't think it's a big deal to pop one on when entering a shop.
A polite notice on your door and disposable pack for folk should do the trick. Good luck with it all.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

My fear is that it will be those very people who refuse to get vaccinated will be the first the ditch the mask, if they have been wearing one at all. They do not understand the reality of covid and just cannot take it on board. Like most people I dislike wearing a mask, however I would hate to think I might have passed it on unwittingly just because I don't like wearing a mask. That would be unforgivable