Wonderful News - No more face masks

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.”

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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.

Thank Heavens - TFL have kept the mask-wearing rule here in London - a little common sense prevails!

Varian

Yes, I understand probability and once did a short course in it along with several PhD students.

I'm not relying on anecdotal evidence.

Statistics have shown, quite nicely, that when facemask restrictions are brought in, covid levels go up and vice versa. You only have to compare Wales, Scotland and England to see what I mean.

Or be in close proximity to an unmasked person suffering from covid? Could be an unmasked asymptotic person sitting next to them on the bus.

I wonder if those who are so vehemently against masks would be happy to undergo surgery if the doctors, nurses, anaesthetists and other theatre staff were not wearing masks? There's a reason they wear them...

Surely wearing a mask must help. Not breathing over people has got to have some impact. Common sense!

Germanshepherdsmum

I would think there’s a considerable difference between lifting restrictions in July when cases are low, people spend far more time outside and the windows are open and lifting them in January when cases hover around 100,000 a day and people are huddled indoors Rosie.

In July I believe cases were around, 39k per day so not that low
Our vacation program was not so far advanced as it is now
We were also dealing with Delta not Omicron which appears to be taking over
After the July opening infection continued to drop
The public have now been asked to still wear masks in crowded settings now not so many will comply but I suspect quite a few will
But regardless the rules will change next week and only time will tell

The figures are not low, but dropping from very high levels. There may well be an increase as a result of removal of measures. We are going to have to live with the virus but the country is hardly in a good position with regards to management at this precice moment. Mind you, if you were looking to distract from other issues........

rosie1959

I seem to remember the same discussions when restrictions were lifted in July 2021 we seemed to have no great problems after that until Omicron

We have now double jabbed a great proportion of the population plus boosted this winter

You are undoubtedly aware that most schools in England are closed at the end of July/August. Not only that, but people tend to spend less time indoors in the summer months.

Omicron is more infectious than Delta and other variants and is not always mild. Not only that, but other variants are still circulating.

I find it difficult to believe that people can make such a fuss about wearing a mask, which for the vast majority of people is nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

I would think there’s a considerable difference between lifting restrictions in July when cases are low, people spend far more time outside and the windows are open and lifting them in January when cases hover around 100,000 a day and people are huddled indoors Rosie.

You say you’re a scientist karmalady. What sort of scientist? What scientific qualifications do you hold please?

I seem to remember the same discussions when restrictions were lifted in July 2021 we seemed to have no great problems after that until Omicron

We have now double jabbed a great proportion of the population plus boosted this winter

PS. I do wear properly fitting FFP2 masks and stay away from crowded places. I shall certainly give anybody who chooses not to wear a mask in an indoor public place a very wide berth. Unfortunately, as Covid is airborne, it will mean that any indoor space where a significant number of people choose not to wear a mask will have millions of hovering Covid particles.

What exactly do you mean by "mopped up"?

Teacheranne

I’d like to hear from the scientists and people like JVT what their views are on getting rid of masks and other Plan B guidance this month.`

you don`t need to look very far. I am one and have given my views. Omicron will be mopped up from now. If you are worried then wear properly fitted FFP2 or FFP3 and stay out of crowded places.

I shall continue to where a mask in shops and public transport!

Biscuitmuncher

How people think a paper mask protects from a virus is absolutely beyond me

Maybe you should find out for yourself how they reduce risk.

How people think a paper mask protects from a virus is absolutely beyond me

I’d like to hear from the scientists and people like JVT what their views are on getting rid of masks and other Plan B guidance this month. The Covid stats I heard on the news tonight did not indicate to me that the pandemic is over and it concerns me that no other country seems to be ending precautions as we are planning to do.

I really don’t know why this is happening other than as a bid to minimise the Party Gate accusations and keep BJ as Prime Minister.

I wonder how long it will be before infection, hospitalisations and death rates start to rocket again. Any new variant could spread very quickly if we’re all mixing freely with no social distancing or precautions. I hope I’m worrying unnecessarily as I’m as keen as anyone for my life to get back to pre pandemic times but I’d rather we had a slower approach.

This is not good news for the hundreds of thousands like myself who are immunosupressed or those with other health conditions that make getting Covid very dangerous for them. Please don’t be fooled this is Boris’s way of trying to win back popularity by letting people basically do what they want. The pandemic isn’t over yet and probably another variant will come along soon. By the time new regulations have been brought in it will have spread like wildfire. What new rabbit will he pull out of the hat when Sue Grey’s report is published. Or will he just veto that.

Germanshepherdsmum

I will continue to wear a mask in shops and other public indoor spaces. The attitude of people like the OP is frightening. Cases may be reducing but covid hasn’t gone away and I doubt omicron will be the last variant to surface. I would like to hear something of the scientific advice behind the complete abandonment of restrictions. I fear it has more to do with Boris’s position in the popularity stakes than science.

... exactly, GSM

Of course, it will be denied that it's anything to do with Johnson's popularity ratings.

I'm not convinced. Just about everything he does and says is to that end... and to appease the backbench.

I wonder what the OP's credentials are in epidemiology, virology, immunology?

The comment to MayBee70 is typical of the anti-mask brigade, sneering, rude and arrogant.

Of course masks do not offer 100% protection, but they do offer some, especially from those inconsiderate individuals who sneeze into crowded spaces around them. Jeez, even the simple act of sneezing into the crook of your arm will prevent some of the droplets from landing on your face.

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.

Of course they work; that's been irrevocably, scientifically proven.

www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02801-8 is just one article that you could use to inform yourself of the facts.

I think this is nothing but political expedience to bring those who demand ‘freedom’ from rules on board.
I have heard nothing from the scientific community as nd it appears to be another last minute decision to appease.

'Wonderful news'??? What's the big deal with wearing one? I like to reduce the risk of infecting vulnerable people - so I'll carry on with mine.

After all, I can't do a LFT one hour before going out - every single time (I go out 2 or 3 times daily) - so I can't be always sure that I'm not asymptomatic and infectious.

So - I'll wear a mask - rather than risk causing serious illness or death, thanks all the same!

www.ft.com/content/3de10f47-d579-4720-b85e-b6381ceb3916

Scientists warn on dropping England’s Plan B Covid curbs too soon