Enforce the wearing of masks
Similar to China and other European countries (Slovenia, Czech Republic, parts of Italy), enforce the wearing of masks in public to reduce the spread of the virus.
These masks need to be affordable as current prices are high and unaffordable for low income families.
Small fines should be in place for people not adhering to the rule.
These masks need to be affordable as current prices are high and unaffordable for low income families.
Small fines should be in place for people not adhering to the rule.
Why the contribution is important
Although social distancing measures are currently in place, when carrying out my weekly visit to the supermarket - it is clear that people are not averting to these measures.
For example, correctly spacing ourselves when queuing to go into the shop, yet once inside people cannot adhere to one way systems or personal space.
I feel that everyone wearing masks would offer some comfort and reassurance to people, like myself, who worry about others not adhering to the rule.
With regards to work, I need to undertake home visits, deal closely with members of the public and transport children and young people.
Having an efficient amount of PPE would ensure that not only I have a mask but the families that I support.
I’m aware that there is much debate surrounding the wearing of masks, but they do act as a barrier stopping droplets of saliva coming out of people’s mouths.
For example, correctly spacing ourselves when queuing to go into the shop, yet once inside people cannot adhere to one way systems or personal space.
I feel that everyone wearing masks would offer some comfort and reassurance to people, like myself, who worry about others not adhering to the rule.
With regards to work, I need to undertake home visits, deal closely with members of the public and transport children and young people.
Having an efficient amount of PPE would ensure that not only I have a mask but the families that I support.
I’m aware that there is much debate surrounding the wearing of masks, but they do act as a barrier stopping droplets of saliva coming out of people’s mouths.
by M_Martin on May 05, 2020 at 02:23PM
Posted by GMac01 May 05, 2020 at 14:27
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Posted by Fifer72 May 05, 2020 at 14:27
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Posted by POLOPARKJ May 05, 2020 at 14:29
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Posted by JDKFB May 05, 2020 at 14:30
They need to be freely available at 'point of entry' to shops/enclosed spaces.
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Posted by PaulWG May 05, 2020 at 14:31
They may, however, give people a false sense of security and increase the risk of infection if not managed properly.
Should only be enforced once key workers have no PPE shortages.
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Posted by Ann May 05, 2020 at 14:33
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Posted by Agourlay May 05, 2020 at 14:35
Also breathing is not great with face masks as I would compare it to breathing under covers and may be very uncomfortable to people and make them feel claustrophobic. I would say yes wear a face mask if you wish but should not be mandatory.
I would encourage those developing symptoms (who should remain at home) should use face masks as they contain the infected particles rather than those who do not have C-19.
The government should procure enough face masks or PPE, firstly to NHS, care and public facing employees and if there is excess to demand then this should be available for those in public spaces. I.e. supermarkets, doctors surgeries or other public places.
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Posted by Donald May 05, 2020 at 14:36
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Posted by BiggGrumperz May 05, 2020 at 14:39
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Posted by jtaeu May 05, 2020 at 14:42
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Posted by GMScotMacau May 05, 2020 at 14:43
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Posted by M_Martin May 05, 2020 at 14:49
Face shields make breathing easier, yet are again more expensive.
I am included in the key worker group, yet sourcing PPE, means an unnecessary trip to the office where what you take is highly scrutinised due to shortages.
However, the governments knew this was coming and failed us on getting an adequate supply of PPE.
I stated in the original post, that there is a debate over face masks, but remind those commenting that they do stop saliva droplets from leaving the mouth...
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Posted by M_Martin May 05, 2020 at 14:52
I understand where you are coming from, but other countries have enforced mask wearing and had low cross infection rates, and less deaths than the UK.
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Posted by M_Martin May 05, 2020 at 14:54
Thank you for this comments, it’s helpful to know what other counties are doing, and to hear that the riches of masks are capped.
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Posted by Absport May 05, 2020 at 14:54
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Posted by SimonShearer May 05, 2020 at 15:00
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Posted by Blinsider May 05, 2020 at 15:03
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Posted by Ed May 05, 2020 at 15:04
It may not stop you catching theirs but it does help stop you spreading the virus.
This should be an enforced requirement for every Scot.
Wear a mask in public.
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Posted by sl806e May 05, 2020 at 15:11
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Posted by jenny333 May 05, 2020 at 15:16
materials apart from cloth. I have ordered a few things off Ebay to try out.
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Posted by GMScotMacau May 05, 2020 at 15:22
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Posted by Scotelka May 05, 2020 at 16:38
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Posted by M_Martin May 05, 2020 at 16:46
There appears to be a lot of non-media or fake news reported on mask wearing.
There is evidence to suggest that they stop the spread of Covid, and it takes days to begin displaying signs and symptoms. Do you not think that wearing masks and limiting social distancing is a small price to pay for additional freedom, meeting with our loved ones, and getting out of the house?
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Posted by M_Martin May 05, 2020 at 17:46
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Posted by gmb May 05, 2020 at 17:59
I would feel much more vulnerable if we were forced to wear masks.
Please don't make it mandatory!
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Posted by Archana May 06, 2020 at 09:29
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Posted by westkip May 06, 2020 at 10:54
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Posted by Rachel_T1502 May 06, 2020 at 12:42
could include home-made masks from old T shirts/pillowcases and would need to be washed with detergent after every use. Even if only partially effective this could save huge numbers of lives on a mass level
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Posted by Andyggow2010 May 06, 2020 at 13:48
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Posted by davidearly May 06, 2020 at 13:52
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Posted by The_Guru May 06, 2020 at 14:00
People should be able to make up their own minds about this. if it makes them feel safer , then wear them. Live and let live, and respect each other decisions.
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Posted by DeeDee May 06, 2020 at 14:37
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Posted by andrewtlloyd May 06, 2020 at 15:33
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Posted by jenny333 May 06, 2020 at 17:39
the news, face to face for more than 15 mins, but they often change their advice ). So busy trains and buses where you are right next to people is the problem. Most people , if any, are not coughing or sneezing.
I don't know if droplets from talking are filtered, but breathing is not filtered apart from in very very
expensive medical equipment.
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Posted by Balderdash May 06, 2020 at 19:13
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Posted by Kylesku May 06, 2020 at 20:13
Encouragement & education is what should happen in a democracy.
Lets see what NIcola chooses
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Posted by Halina May 06, 2020 at 22:07
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Posted by Rachel_T1502 May 06, 2020 at 23:37
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Posted by Colin87 May 07, 2020 at 06:20
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Posted by Abdnshiremum May 07, 2020 at 07:24
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Posted by DennisThecat May 07, 2020 at 10:18
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Posted by WilfredLawrieNicholasJohnson May 07, 2020 at 12:25
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Posted by colinbro99 May 07, 2020 at 12:26
PS it's Slovakia that has mandated them, not Slovenia - oft confused.
Both small nations like Scotland ...
See https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2765525 for why FACE SHIELDS are preferable:
- protect all face incl eyes
- socially inclusive
- re-usable ++
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Posted by M_Martin May 07, 2020 at 14:06
The comments on shields being preferential are welcomed - but far more expensive to make and supply within a short time frame.
Apologies for the mix up between Slovenia and Slovakia.
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Posted by randomchaos May 07, 2020 at 15:23
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Posted by donnamt May 07, 2020 at 16:50
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Posted by Pragmatist May 07, 2020 at 17:31
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Posted by scotjs May 07, 2020 at 19:48
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Posted by laumon May 08, 2020 at 07:31
Should be use at all times in public places !
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Posted by jerrys May 08, 2020 at 11:10
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Posted by Wulan19 May 08, 2020 at 12:57
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Posted by BeataK May 08, 2020 at 14:00
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Posted by gmb May 08, 2020 at 16:20
I would feel much more at risk of infection if we all had to wear masks, especially in shops where one inevitably has to touch surfaces that others have touched. Compared to the very brief moments someone might pass close to you in a shop, I think the risk of transferring the virus from hand to face in this context far outweighs any benefits. (Public transport might be a bit different, since there one is near the same people for a prolonged period, and also there is much less need to touch surfaces. But anywhere other than public transport is deeply concerning.)
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Posted by RCM May 08, 2020 at 16:20
Otherwise it should remain discretional.
We should subject the population to a minimum of restriction that meets infection control objectives.
People should have the choice to do what works for them: wearing a mask or not.
I personally would be more likely to touch my face with a mask thereby increasing the risk of infecting myself.
In shops I am careful to observe social distancing for my protection and the protection of others.
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Posted by Graham May 08, 2020 at 16:24
Wearing one demonstrates an element of responsibility.
Wearing one could be made a condition of entry for certain establishments.
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Posted by TiMoMac May 08, 2020 at 21:04
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Posted by WBRnotes May 08, 2020 at 22:03
Tricky for those of us with glasses (and some may be unable to wear masks for medical reasons) but it would be helpful in preventing the spread of germs when someone coughs or sneezes which it has been shown can travel as far as 15 feet!
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Posted by waxwing May 09, 2020 at 10:26
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Posted by XR May 09, 2020 at 12:27
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Posted by Sandsmill May 09, 2020 at 16:09
In order to get the country back to some kind of normality maybe we should start wearing masks, but people need to know how to use them properly, how to remove them safely and how to look after them.
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Posted by HelenMM May 09, 2020 at 21:47
I would support the Government supplying re-usable masks (as the fabric face coverings do not provide as much protection) but having it on for the usual 8 hour shift would be very difficult.
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Posted by AlexMD May 10, 2020 at 07:56
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Posted by WBRnotes May 10, 2020 at 09:44
Thus, while I have sympathy for personal choice and like to think people will behave well, I think in this case enforcing mask wearing could well be desirable. Additionally, even among those who question the use of masks, many accept that if someone is infected wearing a mask will reduce the spread of the disease.
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Posted by helenmaryatkinson May 10, 2020 at 11:14
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Posted by conniel May 10, 2020 at 11:25
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Posted by Weetracee May 10, 2020 at 11:41
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Posted by Mandy2752 May 10, 2020 at 13:28
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Posted by doug356 May 10, 2020 at 14:51
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Posted by Nm May 11, 2020 at 08:50
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Posted by alexandra97 May 11, 2020 at 13:17
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Posted by Cathol May 11, 2020 at 14:10
They also encourage people to touch their faces more. Gloves are another issue, unless changed in every environment, change or sanitised you are just transferring the virus if it is present.
Possibly surgical masks in enclosed spaces but need to be Ffp3. These will serve a better purpose being supplied to health care workers.
Increasing the plastic waste. Often disgarded and not disposed of appropriately.
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Posted by coolcat May 11, 2020 at 14:21
I take the social distancing very seriously as does my supermarket . I go out for exercise far less than am allowed to do. I see far too much misuse of face masks ie pulled down below the nose sometimes stuck under the chin....I wonder how many people are aware they should be removed in a certain way and washed or disposed of as ( if you wear one ) you logically should believe that it is potentially contaminated after you have been out. Someone made the point about educating people on the use of masks and I agree with that but would still prefer to restrict myself in other ways so as not to have to wear one.
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Posted by DSEDIN May 11, 2020 at 17:26
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Posted by Kerran May 11, 2020 at 19:25
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Posted by Brett May 11, 2020 at 20:36
If we are to make sure people can comply with the need to wear a mask for extended periods. Then education and support are more important than ever.
For example if I leave my house at 6.30am and travel to work on public transport for 1.5 hours. I then work for eight hours in a customer facing role that will require a face coverings and return home by the same transport. I have been out of the house for 13 hours. That's if I get my normal train and bus. Which is unlikely due to capacity changes and as advice on travelling safely evolves. As someone who has never worn a mask the impact of this shouldn't be under estimated.
Commuting and working in customer facing roles are perfectly normal in our society. We should support people to feel safe and by a consequence make others feel safe.
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Posted by ScotScott May 11, 2020 at 21:09
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Posted by Claresy May 11, 2020 at 21:14
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Posted by KevinG May 11, 2020 at 21:37
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