Wonderful News - No more face masks

^ there have been numerous modelling exercises^

And we all know the howlers that have spewed out of the mouths of Sage "experts" with their 'modelling' exercises. Stoking fear and hysteria, more like.

Linclasss to charge folks who are unvaccinated is appalling and so divisive.

growstuff

ayse

I’ve just scan read this article. The conclusion suggests that there is neither enough evidence to support the use of face masks nor to abandon the use of face masks.

There have not been any recent clinical studies and it’s suggested that it’s a ‘just in case they work’ scenario.

For anyone who’s interested www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4480558/

That was written in 2015!!!

There's plenty of evidence that masks work in reducing transmission of an airborne virus. That article is about bacterial infection, which is completely different.

Of course there can't be a clinical trial. It would be completely unethical to put people in a room with infected people to see how many became infected. Nevertheless, there have been numerous modelling exercises on particles and empirical evidence from (for example) super spreader events.

Perhaps you could send me a link to more up to date information?

Urmstongran

rosie1959

GrannyGravy13

Seeing the figures soar in Germany and France which have some of the strictest restrictions, mandatory masks, vaccine passports and no jab no entry is food for thought as to whether restrictions do indeed work?

Tend to agree with you on this one sometimes doing the same things and expecting different results seems a bit futile
Might have more to do with them not rolling out boosters as quick as the uk

Good point rosie1959. Must have some impact you’d think?

Just what I have discussed with my family who live there. Also said that they are talking about charging for hospital care if admitted with Covid, and no vaccinations. Do not agree with that stance for sure.

I do hope so Urmstongran

I think by ‘learning to live with it’ now it’s waning and Omicron isn’t as deadly as first feared, we treat it like we did when it was the ‘flu. An annual jab. And no mandatory wearing of masks.

It’s the beginning of the end I feel.

rosie1959

GrannyGravy13

Seeing the figures soar in Germany and France which have some of the strictest restrictions, mandatory masks, vaccine passports and no jab no entry is food for thought as to whether restrictions do indeed work?

Tend to agree with you on this one sometimes doing the same things and expecting different results seems a bit futile
Might have more to do with them not rolling out boosters as quick as the uk

Good point rosie1959. Must have some impact you’d think?

I will continue to wear a mask and think they should remain mandatory on public transport. DH and I continued to wear masks, kept our distance and washed/sanitised our hands since the start. First football match he was able to attend he took his mask off and came home with covid, which he passed on to me. He thinks it’s likely to have been someone sitting behind him who was shouting and cheering.
Husband in his 70s recovered within 10 days. Me in my late 50s, healthy and fit, 4 months later I have long covid despite being double jabbed and although not life threatening, I can’t taste, smell or hear, am short of breath and have brain fog.

I'm utterly convinced that it is too soon. I shall still wear mine when in shops etc.

Petera

LilacChaser

Don't be silly, MayBee70. They don't work and it is socially irresponsible to perpetuate the myth that they in any way make people safer by wearing them.

AGAA4 Most people would like to retain them so this has nothing to do with Boris's popularity.

"Darling, come and see this! I've just found something on the internet that all the scientists have missed'

Love it!

ayse

I’ve just scan read this article. The conclusion suggests that there is neither enough evidence to support the use of face masks nor to abandon the use of face masks.

There have not been any recent clinical studies and it’s suggested that it’s a ‘just in case they work’ scenario.

For anyone who’s interested www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4480558/

That was written in 2015!!!

There's plenty of evidence that masks work in reducing transmission of an airborne virus. That article is about bacterial infection, which is completely different.

Of course there can't be a clinical trial. It would be completely unethical to put people in a room with infected people to see how many became infected. Nevertheless, there have been numerous modelling exercises on particles and empirical evidence from (for example) super spreader events.

An extract from the above article.

Examination of the literature revealed much of the published work on the matter to be quite dated and often studies had poorly elucidated methodologies. As a result, we recommend caution in extrapolating their findings to contemporary surgical practice. However, overall there is a lack of substantial evidence to support claims that facemasks protect either patient or surgeon from infectious contamination. More rigorous contemporary research is needed to make a definitive comment on the effectiveness of surgical facemasks.

JenniferEccles

Someone queried how social distancing can be maintained in shop queues.

Interestingly I have found in supermarkets I visit most often (Sainsbury’s and Waitrose) that people are still keeping a bit of space between them and the person in front.

My view is that the PM is right to lift certain restrictions, with the advice that although masks are no longer mandatory, it is still advisable to wear one in crowded places.

There will never be agreement on this topic will there?
There will always be those who would keep restrictions in place month after month, saying ‘the virus is still with us’, which of course is true but as it’s still going to be circulating in the population for possibly years, at what point do we accept we have to learn to live with it?

But "learning to live with it" means adapting behaviour, such as wearing masks. It doesn't mean pretending it doesn't exist.

I’ve just scan read this article. The conclusion suggests that there is neither enough evidence to support the use of face masks nor to abandon the use of face masks.

There have not been any recent clinical studies and it’s suggested that it’s a ‘just in case they work’ scenario.

For anyone who’s interested www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4480558/

Maudi

08:52growstuff

Says you who thinks you know it all?

I don't think I know it all, but in this instance you are wrong. Covid is mainly airborne. There is almost no evidence of transmission from hard surfaces, unless somebody has recently coughed or sneezed all over something.

Someone queried how social distancing can be maintained in shop queues.

Interestingly I have found in supermarkets I visit most often (Sainsbury’s and Waitrose) that people are still keeping a bit of space between them and the person in front.

My view is that the PM is right to lift certain restrictions, with the advice that although masks are no longer mandatory, it is still advisable to wear one in crowded places.

There will never be agreement on this topic will there?
There will always be those who would keep restrictions in place month after month, saying ‘the virus is still with us’, which of course is true but as it’s still going to be circulating in the population for possibly years, at what point do we accept we have to learn to live with it?

Exactly trisher.

I'm just wondering has anyone been "criminalised" for not wearing a mask?
I've seen people all over the place without one. Nobody did anything. Which means that claiming masks haven't reduced the transmission rate is an impossible to prove because a lot of the idiots haven't been wearing them anyway.
I'll still wear one in shops and on public transport.

My partner's DIL's mother died from Covid in Germany just before Christmas. She was triple vaccinated and confined to a home. She caught it from one of the unvaccinated staff.

rosie1959

GrannyGravy13

Seeing the figures soar in Germany and France which have some of the strictest restrictions, mandatory masks, vaccine passports and no jab no entry is food for thought as to whether restrictions do indeed work?

Tend to agree with you on this one sometimes doing the same things and expecting different results seems a bit futile
Might have more to do with them not rolling out boosters as quick as the uk

It could also have something to do with the hard core anti-vaxxers, particularly in former East Germany in Saxony.

LilacChaser

It was a work's course, so no money involved for me. And, yes, statistics have shown exactly what I wrote. The facemask 'experiment' on so-called Freedom Day last July is one I particulary hold in mind. Everyone was up in arms about facemasks going and what happened? Covid cases in England dropped. Covid cases in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland where facemasks were still mandatory increased. Nuff said. If you can't see that, then perhaps you need to go on a course.

Oh no! I don't need a course. I have a semi-resident scientist (a real one!)

GrannyGravy13

Seeing the figures soar in Germany and France which have some of the strictest restrictions, mandatory masks, vaccine passports and no jab no entry is food for thought as to whether restrictions do indeed work?

Tend to agree with you on this one sometimes doing the same things and expecting different results seems a bit futile
Might have more to do with them not rolling out boosters as quick as the uk

Urmstongran

I was just thinking the same GG13. I read that in France just yesterday, 460,000 cases were reported!

Yet France's daily deaths are still lower than the UK - curious! Does France treat its Covid sufferers better or is the UK not being entirely honest about the number of cases?

Urmstongran

Lucca

Urmstongran

On the use of face coverings, Boris said: “In the country at large, we will continue to suggest the use of face coverings in enclosed or crowded spaces, particularly when you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet, but we will trust the judgment of the British people and no longer criminalise anyone who chooses not to wear one.”

*

I shall continue to use my common sense especially till springtime. Use of masks - not so much, but by keeping a safe distance, is more important for me.

How can you keep a safe distance in shop queues? Just as one example.

And why not face masks ?

I didn’t say I’d never worn masks Lucca just that I’m judicial in their use. Certainly not in the fresh air, nor when in our car (I’ve seen single occupiers driving their car wearing a mask - what on EARTH is that all about? Always ‘oldies’. Beggars belief.)

As for shopping, we live above Sainsbury’s where masks are still routine, well until next Wednesday & we will be home Thursday! But we don’t need to shop at busy times = less people about = less chance of transmission.

As I say, common sense. Some people are panicky, unsettled and immunosuppressive. They can (and will) continue to wear their masks. I understand that. Me? Not so much now.

You don't have to be "panicky, unsettled and immunosuppressive" - just sensible and aware of putting other people at risk should you be infected but asymptomatic.

Stop gaslighting!

I was just thinking the same GG13. I read that in France just yesterday, 460,000 cases were reported!