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

I really don't understand why anyone who continues to wear their mask, thinks they'll be "laughed and scoffed at".

Nor me Smileless. I doubt that anyone would give a second glance, just as no one commented or bothered that Japanese/Chinese tourists have been wearing them here forever when the rest of us did not.

Just do what's right for you, in your circumstances, and afford others the same courtesy.

No. Do what’s right for you and OTHER PEOPLE!

No MayBee70, with the greatest of respect, I'm going to do what Chris Whitty said he was going to do; not what a random granny on a chat forum tells me to do. I think he has a more informed position than you?

Chewbacca

No MayBee70, with the greatest of respect, I'm going to do what Chris Whitty said he was going to do; not what a random granny on a chat forum tells me to do. I think he has a more informed position than you?

I agree.

Ditto Callistemon.

But Chris Whitty has advised people to continue to wear masks: or did I mis hear him?

MayBee70

But Chris Whitty has advised people to continue to wear masks: or did I mis hear him?

Yes as he qualified the advice..

Prof Vallance, England’s chief scientific adviser, and Prof Whitty, the chief medical officer, both outlined their intention to keep wearing masks where appropriate.

Prof Whitty highlighted three scenarios where he would continue to wear a mask: in “any situation which is indoors and crowded”; when "required to by any competent authority”; and out of “common courtesy” if “someone else was uncomfortable if I didn't wear a mask”.

and here is the link: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/chris-whitty-masks-lockdown-covid-b1878776.html

Callistemon I’ll let my husband’s Oncologist know she is wrong then.

No-one has mentioned it at all in this LHA area, oldbat.
Did she check his antibody level?

I did read the report which I found online.

I don't think there is need for sarcasm, it is concerning and the information has certainly not been disseminated.

Lucca, I was referring to the notice you posted. A classic case of emotional blackmail if ever I saw one. I was not referring to you.

People who expect everyone to wear masks because they need protection or are afraid of abandoning them, are in their way being just as selfish as unmaskers who do not comply with Chris Whitty's limitations. My view of my fellow citizens is not as jaundiced as that of other people on this thread, I think most will be casreful of other people.

As I said, many of those who will act selfishly after abandoning masks are probably, not obeying the rules, other than in a token way now.

Oldbat1

Callistemon I’ll let my husband’s Oncologist know she is wrong then.

Ps it is the first I have heard of it when I read your post.

There seems to be a misunderstanding - the fault entirely of the government and mainly Johnson. He communicates to win favour and never mind how many die while he does it.

We were not told we can behave like a child and do whatever we want because someone will pick up the pieces. We are being told the government is passing the responsibility for all of us to each of us but you wouldn't always know would you?

I can only speak for myself. I have taken it upon myself to get as much understanding of my condition as possible. (I have a science background.) When I ask my haematologist and immunologist (phone consultations) what my chances of surviving Covid are, they tell me that they really don't know. They hope that patients having similar treatment to me will eventually get some protection from the treatment but it could take quite a while but can't say how long. They also don't know how badly my immune system is damaged (I should have had a another bone marrow biopsy last year but that didn't happen - do I need further treatment? They won't know until I have a biopsy.)

They also don't arrange post vaccination antibody testing - I paid for a private test with negative results. I was told quite a few patients had done that, but of course, there was a possibility that my T-cells could help, but they didn't test them either.

I'll probably be OK as long as I only mix with people who have healthy immune systems and have been double vaccinated!
So please could you all wear a label that says 'Double jabbed and healthy immune system' (if that applies to you of course). I might just remove my FFP3 mask in that case if I can afford it.

There are about 500,000 current blood cancer patients but there are other conditions that also result in damaged immune systems, some are born with Primary Immune Deficiency. There are about 1.5 million (of all ages) at risk of being severely ill with Covid and many with no idea of their vaccination status and no real prospect of any remediation if they find out although I understand that expensive artificial monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) vaccinations are showing promising results for those for whom the anti-Covid vaccine does not work. Only they don't know who they are because they aren't tested. Nice one!

PippaZ As far as I am concerned the government regulstions, no matter who has been articulating them have been quite clear, masks are not compulsory from 19th July, which is not saying you should stop wearing masks entirely.

Chris Whitty has since made it abundantly clear how that discretion should be interpreted, which was much the way anyone I know was interpreting it anyway.

Surely the majority of people have got used to wearing them on public transport or in shops. Is it such a hard thing to continue with?

Think of the bus drivers.

Lovetopaint)37 Not all of us have got used to mask. I do not use public transport, trains when I can, but not often and I will continue to use a mask then.

Shops no. I find masks and specs incompatible, no matter what I do and as I am dyspraxic having to keep putting specs on and then off while the demist and means I drop them frequently. I have mask worn assiduously, as required, but the opportunity now to only wear them in crowded situations and where other people feel unsafe comes as a sweet relief.

I will definitely continue wearing masks when I visit shops, maybe not in a shopping mall, unless it was particularly heaving. Similarly I wouldn't wear one in the outside part of garden centres where we go quite frequently or in the street. I would wear one on public transport if I were to use it, I remember how many colds I got when I was a daily commuter, inevitable when I think how tightly packed trains were, although maybe that's not the case these days. I will continue to carry a mask whenever I go out and use my judgement as to whether to wear it or not.

True specs and masks are incompatible as Monica has stated above. I only put my reading glasses on if I really have to, which I do when doing a supermarket shop, whipping them on and off frequently as I do the rounds.

I think it must depend on the shape (and maybe material) of glasses. I have two pairs of reading glasses. One pair is fine with a mask - the other gets steamed up quite quickly, unless I really pinch the metal over my nose. I also find it easier with a medical mask rather than my pretty (and expensive) fabric ones with a filter.

When I was working (NHS) they provided surgical masks specifically for staff who wear glasses, they are orange instead of blue. A more flexible nosepiece meant your glasses didn’t steam up, they were great. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find any to purchase since I retired. The AB masks work for me now better than any others, although they come right up to the bottom of my eyes, so I look like a highwayman out on the rob.

Casdon

When I was working (NHS) they provided surgical masks specifically for staff who wear glasses, they are orange instead of blue. A more flexible nosepiece meant your glasses didn’t steam up, they were great. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find any to purchase since I retired. The AB masks work for me now better than any others, although they come right up to the bottom of my eyes, so I look like a highwayman out on the rob.

Were they like these ones?

www.amazon.co.uk/MEIbax-Face_Masks-Disposable-Protective-Face_Coverings/dp/B08PVC6Q2F/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=medical+masks+orange&tag=gransnetforum-21&qid=1625827808&sr=8-5

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202107/medium-724126-2c19933c-2f95-48a6-80f8-5c814a2e3a48.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202107/medium-24267-ddedd6a7-98ee-454e-b17a-795a56c71bfe.jpeg

Thanks growstuff but sadly not that one. I still inadvertently had one in my pocket when I finished work, which I kept so I could try to match it, it has a thicker metal wire inside, and the blue strip is like a foam material, so I think that helps it stay put too. I took some photos so you can see.

I’d be delighted if anybody can track them down.