Current Affairs

[Mervyn and Trish]

He's not lucky. Just more experienced......

[towny44]

According to Mark Twain, and all his critics, Boris should be well experienced after the covid crisis then?

[Onelife]

Professor Trisha Greenhalgh from Oxford University, who argued for widespread use of face coverings in April, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the vast majority of scientists "are now persuaded by the evidence" that wearing masks in crowded places can reduce transmission.

Asked about the suggestion that face masks benefit others more than the wearer, she said: "Broadly speaking, if I'm wearing a face covering it might protect you 80% and it might protect me 20% or 30%.

"There is a little bit of protection for the person wearing the face coverings but it's not nearly as much as it protects other people from the droplets coming out of the person's mouth."

[Onelife]

I just this minute posted then this pops up on my screen...not before time I say


The UK Government is expected to announce that face masks will be compulsory in shops and confined spaces in the next few days.

Boris Johnson is preparing to tell the Commons the move is necessary as he looks to prevent a surge in the spread of the coronavirus when more people start to return to work.

[Mervyn and Trish]

The scientists have changed their view as evidence accumulated so I think the advice is sound now. Important people still understand a mask is a supplement not instead of other precautions and doesn't make them invincible. I'm also happy now it's not depriving the NHS of supplies. In fact we have some cloth washable non medical ones.

[Manoverboard]

... and just to show willing I bought 10 of them from Sainsbugs, they do however look very complicated

[Mervyn and Trish]

Did you make a mistake and buy the 38DDs?

[Onelife]

Did you make a mistake and buy the 38DDs?

It sounds as if it’s gone a bit tits up to me

[oldbluefox]

We'll all be able to recognise Moby. He'll be the one with the under wired face mask.

[Onelife]

We'll all be able to recognise Moby. He'll be the one with the under wired face mask.

That was very 'uplifting' Foxy

[Manoverboard]

It says on the tin that they will ' lift and separate ' which relates to one’s ears .... doesn't it
.

[oldbluefox]

Meanwhile Keefy is ready to go into mass production on his Ludlow masks

Keefy masks.jpg

But, unimpressed, Mob's sticking with what he's got

IMG_7795.jpeg

[Onelife]

At least I put a bit of thought into mine…Mob just nicked his from his next-door neighbour’s cloths line

[Manoverboard]

Meanwhile Keefy is ready to go into mass production on his Ludlow masks

But, unimpressed, Mob's sticking with what he's got

Yes, very unimpressed ... and don't come running to me when your good lady is looking for the other half of her bra face mask in the washing machine

[Quizzical Bob]

At least I put a bit of thought into mine…Mob just nicked his from his next-door neighbour’s cloths line

He must look a right tit.

[towny44]

At least I put a bit of thought into mine…Mob just nicked his from his next-door neighbour’s cloths line

He must look a right tit.

I thought it was a left one, but I could be wrong.

[Onelife]

Whichever…I would imagine they’re be a bit of a handful

[Onelife]

I’m struggling to get my head round the ‘new’ soon to be announced face mask guidelines. Not wishing to pre-empt what will be said, but if it is announced that masks should be worn in shops/enclosed spaces it will be a little confusing not to include wearing of masks all the time when out shopping…the last thing you should be doing according to the scientific information is touching your mask when out wearing it… taking it on and off when entering such places won’t follow their own advice about wearing them…Am I missing something?

[towny44]

I’m struggling to get my head round the ‘new’ soon to be announced face mask guidelines. Not wishing to pre-empt what will be said, but if it is announced that masks should be worn in shops/enclosed spaces it will be a little confusing not to include wearing of masks all the time when out shopping…the last thing you should be doing according to the scientific information is touching your mask when out wearing it… taking it on and off when entering such places won’t follow their own advice about wearing them…Am I missing something?

If the protection is 75% to protect others, and only 15-20% to protect the wearer, then I imagine taking it on and off is only going to pose problems to the wearer, and even these will be fairly low.

[david63]

And, pray tell me, how does one eat and/or drink when out with a face mask on?

[Onelife]

And, pray tell me, how does one eat and/or drink when out with a face mask on?

Hi David…I personally won’t be eating or drinking when I go out other than if I/we choose to take a packed lunch on an isolated hilltop away from the maddening crowds somewhere. If you and others feel the urge for a light snack then I would suggest you sanitise your hands before taking off your mask (following the recommended procedure) then place it into the plastic bag then replace said mask with a new one (following the recommended procedure)

I do however accept that if you do get thirsty and enjoy your food several times throughout the day then this could cause a few problems.

[Onelife]

I’m struggling to get my head round the ‘new’ soon to be announced face mask guidelines. Not wishing to pre-empt what will be said, but if it is announced that masks should be worn in shops/enclosed spaces it will be a little confusing not to include wearing of masks all the time when out shopping…the last thing you should be doing according to the scientific information is touching your mask when out wearing it… taking it on and off when entering such places won’t follow their own advice about wearing them…Am I missing something?

If the protection is 75% to protect others, and only 15-20% to protect the wearer, then I imagine taking it on and off is only going to pose problems to the wearer, and even these will be fairly low.

Hi John, I don’t care much for percentages because they only reflect numbers and the number, I care about is how many are dying because of not using common sence…sod what the Government tells you to do and make your own mind up… 44,000 + dead should be enough to tell everyone they should taking every precaution possible.

[Gill W]

I’m struggling to get my head round the ‘new’ soon to be announced face mask guidelines. Not wishing to pre-empt what will be said, but if it is announced that masks should be worn in shops/enclosed spaces it will be a little confusing not to include wearing of masks all the time when out shopping…the last thing you should be doing according to the scientific information is touching your mask when out wearing it… taking it on and off when entering such places won’t follow their own advice about wearing them…Am I missing something?

Not that I’m planning to be out in crowded places on a regular basis, but, when we go shopping I’ll be wearing the mask throughout the experience, not putting it on when I go into a shop and taking it off again as I leave.

Up to now, as we haven’t been out very much, I’ve only needed to wear a mask for very short periods. I find it quite uncomfortable, but feel I need to get used to it, as this is going to be with us for a long time.

As part of our phased return to the world, tomorrow we are going to the local shopping centre, so I’ll be wearing my mask for a longer period. We intend to have coffee, so will pull the mask down when we are at the table, and pull it up again when we leave. We have sanitising wipes, so we’ll use those when we’ve adjusted our masks.

[Onelife]

I’m struggling to get my head round the ‘new’ soon to be announced face mask guidelines. Not wishing to pre-empt what will be said, but if it is announced that masks should be worn in shops/enclosed spaces it will be a little confusing not to include wearing of masks all the time when out shopping…the last thing you should be doing according to the scientific information is touching your mask when out wearing it… taking it on and off when entering such places won’t follow their own advice about wearing them…Am I missing something?

Not that I’m planning to be out in crowded places on a regular basis, but, when we go shopping I’ll be wearing the mask throughout the experience, not putting it on when I go into a shop and taking it off again as I leave.

Up to now, as we haven’t been out very much, I’ve only needed to wear a mask for very short periods. I find it quite uncomfortable, but feel I need to get used to it, as this is going to be with us for a long time.

As part of our phased return to the world, tomorrow we are going to the local shopping centre, so I’ll be wearing my mask for a longer period. We intend to have coffee, so will pull the mask down when we are at the table, and pull it up again when we leave. We have sanitising wipes, so we’ll use those when we’ve adjusted our masks.

The way to go Gill....enjoy!

[towny44]

I’m struggling to get my head round the ‘new’ soon to be announced face mask guidelines. Not wishing to pre-empt what will be said, but if it is announced that masks should be worn in shops/enclosed spaces it will be a little confusing not to include wearing of masks all the time when out shopping…the last thing you should be doing according to the scientific information is touching your mask when out wearing it… taking it on and off when entering such places won’t follow their own advice about wearing them…Am I missing something?

If the protection is 75% to protect others, and only 15-20% to protect the wearer, then I imagine taking it on and off is only going to pose problems to the wearer, and even these will be fairly low.

Hi John, I don’t care much for percentages because they only reflect numbers and the number, I care about is how many are dying because of not using common sence…sod what the Government tells you to do and make your own mind up… 44,000 + dead should be enough to tell everyone they should taking every precaution possible.

Keith, I am not sure what point you are making, surely if the scientific community have differing views it is because of the uncertainty concerning that particular aspect. You believe facemasks are an important precaution others believe they don't provide much protection. Both positions could find scientific support which leads me to be sympathetic with both sides, but not critical of either.