Mask mandatory in public area

To easy lockdown masks or any forms of face covering should be mandatory in any public area to stop the transmission of COVID-19.

Why the contribution is important

It is believed that COVID-19 is transmitted through droplets. Although there is no direct evidence for mask to protect people from coronavirus, people wearing masks can effectively reduce the amount of droplets produced. Without intensive testing, wearing masks or any other forms of face covering is a costless but efficient way to reduce the spread of the disease.

by whuang on May 06, 2020 at 12:14AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 3.2
Based on: 82 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Chrismollitt May 06, 2020 at 02:04

    A simple fact of truth you can wear a scarf we do in winter so why not in a pandemic we bought mask from a British company double laird washable for £10 with some money going to nhs you can make your own with an old pillow case so no excuse to wear one people need to take responsibility themselves it shouldn’t need to be enforced but maybe that the only way for some people

  • Posted by Janmat1724 May 06, 2020 at 02:05

    It should be mandatory in shops as it is often difficult to maintain 2m distance inside stores due to width of aisles. However it might be an idea if masks were handed out at store entrances as it can be difficult to get them and not everyone can and their own.

  • Posted by McGillm May 06, 2020 at 06:44

    This should be enforced

  • Posted by Jacquelinelaw May 06, 2020 at 06:55

    I work in retail and see daily that people who are wearing masks don’t adhere to 2 mtr social distancing in the same as as those with no mask. Think the mask gives a sense of security that they will be ok 🙁

  • Posted by Ericdmc85 May 06, 2020 at 06:57

    Who is going to pay for the masks, right now, a box of 50 is about £30 on amazon, hardly costless. Even a small charge can be a lot of money for a family on welfare.

  • Posted by Nowim43 May 06, 2020 at 07:04

    There are societal costs to mandatory mask wearing - if we can’t see each other’s expressions, it’s really hard to interact appropriately, especially with strangers. I think people are already scared, and re-entering a world where everyone is covered and we can’t see smiles will add to that. If the scientific evidence confirms their value in the spread of transmission, then absolutely go for it, but don’t make a decision based on weak evidence without considering the downsides around community cohesion and societal rebuilding too.

  • Posted by gbm82 May 06, 2020 at 07:31

    Who is going to provide these costly masks/difficult to procure face coverings ?

  • Posted by Mopsy May 06, 2020 at 07:36

    Good for people to have masks and wear when in close proximity ie busy public transport, not sure how healthy it would be to wear all the time.

  • Posted by Samof3 May 06, 2020 at 07:38

    To do this then the public has to be given actual masks as face coverings are proven not to work. Hence why nurses are in proper masks an visors . You can catch it anywhere and not just hospital so the protection should be same surely ?

  • Posted by Rainbowbright May 06, 2020 at 07:51

    If this would allow people to get out and about more and start to open businesses that are suffering I would fully support this

  • Posted by Granma May 06, 2020 at 08:01

    Could governments not fund Research into better protective face masks for everyone?

  • Posted by cus1903 May 06, 2020 at 08:09

    the supply of masks will become a black market trade and people will be isolated they cannot afford or locate one. Vulnerable people yes but they must be provided.Children will grow up seeing only masked faces not people a scary thing for young.

  • Posted by karlasmith May 06, 2020 at 08:14

    Wearing masks are, I think, a good idea. There are lower cases in Far East (not including China), they wear them.

  • Posted by Caroline2121 May 06, 2020 at 08:15

    If there is any benefit however small why not we have to everything we can to fight this

  • Posted by Hmartin578 May 06, 2020 at 08:17

    Benefit may be marginal butif it can help , it should be mandatory . Otherwise there are people who will not do it as there are in.my family.easybto make covering from scarf.tsirt or socks so no need to use NHS supplies

  • Posted by angelseasonfive May 06, 2020 at 08:17

    The jury is out on masks/cloth coverings. The evidence of their effectiveness is flimsy, it has been reported. They definitely require to he handled correctly, though. Is there any benefit when people touch their mask then touch their face or surfaces. Watching the news, I was shouting at the news reporter touching his mask to adjust it and not using the straps. The traveller who was also wearing gloves took her sunglasses off and touched her eyes - potentially infecting herself - she may have touched infected surfaces with her gloved hands. The shoppers in Germany moving their mask up and down their face to talk to people, or taking masks off then putting back on to go into another shop.

  • Posted by angelseasonfive May 06, 2020 at 08:27

    The wearing of masks is not costless to the wearer. Scot Gov advice is to wash cloth face covering at 60 degrees or dispose of. Using washing machine costs money and not everyone has a supply of cloth to make new face coverings for trips outwith their home.

  • Posted by Mamaidh May 06, 2020 at 08:27

    Masks are a proven way of reducing the infection risk, but as it relys on the everybody wearing them, it should be compulsory in shops, public transport etc.

  • Posted by Ecosse May 06, 2020 at 09:02

    Taiwan where my partner lives has a population of 24m, everyone there must wear a mask before they get on a train or bus. A fine is imposed if they do not comply. Bus drivers there actually will take your temperature before being allowed on. Yes different culture but with no cases of deaths within the last week kind of gives you a picture of how testing and wearing face masks has on the population.

  • Posted by TonyFinn May 06, 2020 at 09:13

    Some Medical specialist have advised that wearing face mask are counter productive and pointless and will be detrimental to the wearers personal health with an impact on their immune system through reduced oxygen intake and breathing in more carbon dioxide and fibres making the wearer even more susceptible to illness. Also masks ineffective like putting chain mail on and expecting it to keep midges out ! Mandatory masks! Why can’t you trust the Scottish people to do the right thing like in Sweden instead of treating us all like children in a nanny state? Response needs to be based on common sense, realistic and proportionate and NOT mandatory as you point out that there is “no direct evidence” masks protects people and may be to the contrary detrimental to their personal health? Yeah if social distance ain’t enough let’s make people feel more isolated and alone by covering their face also in public, come on!

  • Posted by OMG May 06, 2020 at 09:20

    Other countries which have been far more successful in dealing with the virus have imposed mandatory masks in public. The recommendation by the First Minister that we wear face coverings on public transport and in shops etc has not been sufficiently taken up. By wearing a mask on my weekly shopping trip I am offering some small protection to other people by wearing a mask but this is not being reciprocated. Please make it mandatory before lifting restrictions.

  • Posted by StepRam May 06, 2020 at 12:12

    100% Mandate all wear masks whenever you are within 4 or 5 meters of anyone not in your household.

  • Posted by Jana May 06, 2020 at 18:53

    I believe wearing a mask/face covering in public spaces such as shops, public transport, museums, etc. should be mandatory. The idea of keeping 2 meters distance is great, but if anybody coughs or sneezes and does not cover their mouth they do very little...everybody should cover their mouth, but unfortunately not everybody does it...even home made fabric masks that can be boil washed and ironed repeatedly would help. My mask protects you, your mask protects me! 😉

  • Posted by KayDee3740 May 07, 2020 at 09:19

    The problem with masks (the same with gloves) is that folk then think they are invincible! There’s definitely been an increase in folk wearing masks or covering their face with a scarf. All of that is useless when you keep touching it. Wearing a mask on your chin just makes you look like an idiot and having you nose hanging out of it is of no benefit! Rearranging and touching it constantly defeats the purpose of wearing it in the first place!! Removing it and scrunching it up in your hand just transfers what’s on the glove to your hand! And for the folk who are discarding their disposable masks and gloves in the supermarket car park......there are no words!

  • Posted by Bellabolan24 May 08, 2020 at 06:53

    I agree with many of these comments. Masks/ face and nose coverings should not be advisory, it should be compulsory when you are going into shops, transport and other indoor spaces. It must not be an option as many people will think that it does not apply to them. The government should not be providing these free as people have plenty of options around the house that they can use as a face covering. If shops refuse entry without a face covering people will soon figure out what to use. Most people have money to spend on other things so why not buy or make a mask.

  • Posted by WhyDoINeedAUserNameAgain May 08, 2020 at 15:40

    No. I have no objection to supermarkets 'asking' shoppers to wear a mask when in stores or similar areas, but you will not force me to wear a mask in a place like a spacious park, or when walking down a quiet street in normal day to day life. However, it should now be expected for people to be socially responsible and wear a mask when they're outside and while outwardly showing signs of cold or flu.

  • Posted by Lornab May 08, 2020 at 16:29

    I think we need to phrase this as face covering rather than mask. What we don't want is PPE being diverted from where it is required or the cost being driven up to the NHS

  • Posted by scotchick May 09, 2020 at 11:12

    I have mixed feelings about this, as many people I have seen wearing both masks and gloves then think they don’t have to abide by the social distancing rules. The state of some masks being used will offer no protection to the person. Wearing gloves and then touching your face and then touching food in the supermarket see this happening all of the time. Hand washing of done properly and social distancing are the most effective unless you work in a high risk area e.g health and social care.

  • Posted by Biba May 09, 2020 at 17:30

    It should be compulsory. It's also a sign of respect in that you do not wish to infect others. It has worked well for other countries and most people probably have a scarf or old t shirt they could make into a mask simply, so not expensive and saves medical masks for frontline workers. It also may save many lives.

  • Posted by Wulan19 May 10, 2020 at 17:28

    I find most face covers are more careful with social distancing rather than less, also the government worried about PPE supplies circulated a lot of unwise selective science propaganda to discourage use, and this is now used to those that don't want to wear them sadly.

  • Posted by Zaffarella May 11, 2020 at 15:19

    WHO position is that masks should be used by healthcare workers, indeed there are potential dangers emanating from the wearer adjusting (entirely naturally) the mask. THe first ministers advice was very heavily caveated - rightly.
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