Will mask wearing still be common in Britain after the pandemic is over?

[2greys]

Face masks have been a crucial part of the UK’s strategy to contain COVID-19, but have also evoked contradictory emotions and reactions. Some see masks as an important means to halt the virus’s spread, as well as a sign of social consideration and altruism. Others have politicised them, seeing mask mandates as trampling over their rights as individuals.

But what will mask wearing in the UK look like in the long term? This is an intriguing question, and one that our interdisciplinary team is currently exploring as part of a larger project on the role that the media plays in influencing people’s decisions to wear masks. Our research covers what factors drive people to wear masks across different parts of the world, exploring the use and effects of media messaging in the UK in light of what happens elsewhere, such as in east Asia.

Globally, the UK sits somewhere between the politicisation of mask wearing seen in the US and the more communitarian mask wearing of east Asia. Importantly, the US and UK don’t have a history of mask wearing to build on, whereas many east Asian countries do.

People in east Asia have worn masks for a host of medical, cultural and environmental reasons since at least the first half of the 20th century. Masks are worn out of courtesy, to avoid putting on makeup, to keep warm, to avoid attention and communication, and to protect against the sun. They’re also worn to protect against pollution (the 100 cities worldwide with the worst air pollution are all in Asia), though people may overestimate the protection they offer.

bangor.ac.uk/news/will-mask...

[Hidden]

I will carry on wearing them in crowded indoor places even when they are no longer mandated.

[Maggie_Mae]

Within health care yes,....Outwith health care that's upto individual four nations

I hope with winter months heading upon us the majority of public choose to wear masks.

[Beth1949]

I feel that even after all this covid virus has gone away, a low percentage of people will still wear masks in certain situations.

Before covid, I would very rarely see someone wear a mask while out and about. If I did see someone wearing a mask, I would think 'they must have a serious health condition'.

I think going forward, a higher percentage of people will still wear masks.

Going forward, I plan to still keep masks in my purse, I will use them when traveling (at airports, on the plane, around people who have colds, etc). If only to keep from getting a cold or the flu (even thro I get a flu shot each year).

Stay healthy, Beth

[Hidden in reply to Beth1949]

I feel the same. There are so many respiratory viruses about, esp in winter, that even if masks provide only a limited degree of protection, it’s worth it to my mind.

[Bingo88]

Hope you're keeping as well as 2greys. On the mask situation I have noticed in the last week a lot of people not bothering to wear a mask in shops now and last Friday I went out for evening meal and a few drinks and i was the only 1 wearing a mask walking around the restaurant

[teenieleek]

I have long wanted to wear a mask when travelling or in busy places but never have done because i would have felt awkward and embarrassed. No longer! I intend to wear a mask whenever I want to and won’t care what others think.

[Hidden in reply to teenieleek]

Ditto, teenie! There was a public info ad on tv which showed a man coming home with shopping. The virus was shown as a green vapour emanating from him, his clothing & the shopping, and spreading all round the kitchen and to his family! I don’t know why, but that particular image really resonated with me. Ugh! I’ve always been careful about hand washing, not touching handles etc, but now I’ll be wearing a mask in every shop or public place & stuff what anyone thinks