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

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.

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.

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

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

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”.

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

Ditto Callistemon.

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.

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?

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

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.

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

If you are on chemo they recon the COVID vaccine is only 10% effective and if you have a blood cancer it is as low as 3% effective

I have just checked reports Oldbat and that is not strictly true and could be alarmist.

It could be true for some patients where response to the vaccine is not as effective as in someone with a normal immune system or in those who are on certain treatments but research is still underway.

bloodcancer.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-vaccine-blood-cancer/covid-vaccine-efficacy-blood-cancer/
Doctors do need to be more aware and share the information with their patients.

If you are on chemo they recon the COVID vaccine is only 10% effective and if you have a blood cancer it is as low as 3% effective

Who reckons Oldbat please?

Are there statistics to back that up? If so, I haven't heard them.

Those who are immune compromised will lose being able to go anywhere safely! Many many thousands in fact. If you are on chemo they recon the COVID vaccine is only 10% effective and if you have a blood cancer it is as low as 3% effective. Mask wearing is us trying to protect other people whereas those who choose not to wear a mask “don’t give a dam”.

Well I hope you’re right MOnica but judging by the football matches.....which are apparently fuelling an increase, predominantly in infections in men.

Monica. I just looked again and I see you have out aka in there ?
Please don’t accuse me of emotional blackmail. Totally unjustified. I asked before for peoples reasons for not liking masks and you answered, I thanked you. So no need for any bad manners.

Monica sorry I’ve just come back in …what’s the “. Lucca emotional blackmail “ thing ? I just posted something I agreed with that’s all.

Those who act selfishly on unmasking day are probably people who are already ignoring the rules and taking risks now. I think the majority of people will act with caution and commonsense.

Problem being MOnica, not everyone is as balanced and sensible as you are. I can’t tell how people will behave, but with some heralding “freedom day”, I’m not confident, that masks on or off, will not spark conflict.

Yes, I know you were, but I am trying to highlight that the difference between maskers and unmaskers is very little and why alarmist posts like Cleopanda's are so far off the mark because most unmaskers will be carrying masks and continuing to wear them in places they can see are risky.

Those who will be burning their masks are probably not wearing them now anyway.

Monica maybe no different from an unmasked .I was simply stating how I feel about the issue.

*Lucca aka Emotional Blackmail.

I am getting fed up with people assuming that if you decide to unmask you will have a bonfire of masks and never wear one again and go unmasked anywhere ane everywhere.

That is stupid and making an extreme hypothetical statement so that the person saying this can pose on some mythical high moral ground.

Chris Witty, he is the chief authority on the subject, has said he will wear his mask in crowded places, when required to by a competent authority and when someone requests it, otherwise not.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/chris-whitty-masks-lockdown-covid-b1878776.html

I have yet to meet any one intending to unmask, including me, who hadn't already placed all these provisos around their unmasking, yes, there will be exceptions, but not many.

I will continue to wear a mask in shops and anywhere I consider crowded or where it would make me feel safer.

As this is what most unmaskers will be doing, how do you differ from an unmasker?

ginny

I will continue to wear a mask in shops and anywhere I consider crowded or where it would make me feel safer. People can scoff or laugh if they want.

They’ll be scoffing and laughing when they discover they have the virus and may have transmitted it unwittingly to hundreds of others?
They may still scoff and laugh when they’re suffering from long Covid 9 months later?

I will continue to wear a mask in shops and anywhere I consider crowded or where it would make me feel safer. People can scoff or laugh if they want.