Refusal to wear mask should be as taboo as drink-driving, says Royal Society chief.
Refusing to wear a mask in public during the Covid-19 epidemic should become as socially unacceptable as drink-driving or not wearing a seatbelt, the president of the Royal Society has said.
He spoke as new research emerges suggesting the UK’s uptake of the practice is way behind that of other countries and that face coverings can protect the wearer as well as people around them.
theguardian.com/world/2020/...
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I doubt he would be saying such rubbish if he had respatry problems. Man is a idiot. I do wear a mask, wear people are having to be near me (A&E) But i find it hard and it's impossible if i am walking or doing anything physical
My friend showed her excempt BLF when geting some verbal abuse for not wearing a mask. Only to be told "anyone can download that!"
Why is it when people are asked on the media never get one saying about health problems and media just keep banging on about everyone should wear a mask even Doctors on media say same. I can only wear a mask for about 5mins then start coughing etc. Luckily where I live people understand. Also very easy to keep distance .
Take care of yourself
This is just disheartening beyond words. It shows what little understanding or empathy people have with respiratory problems. Not wearing a seatbelt is totally different, drink driving is utterly different. Some people simply can not breathe while wearing a mask. How can any thinking person equate this to drink driving.
How does he figure that in pubs indoor or outdoor - worra worra
and that for healthy lung folk ....
There has to be exceptions. All this generalisation is plain stupid. Xxx
Yet again, those with a lung disease are being ignored, partly through existing stigma.
Agreed, I found wearing a mask is like breathing your own stale breath back in, and of course we don't breath out oxygen do we? There as to be some exceptions but how do we let others know we are breathing impaired.? I printed off the BLF badges but how do we wear something like that as it is only paper? Anyone any ideas. ? Stay safe
I laminated mine and put on a lanyard
Hi Lynot, thank you for suggestion. I have been on another site this morning and found other ideas from BLF. One is smaller or looks it, might fit in one of those lapel name holders that you wear for meetings, or maybe in the bus pass holders so you can show people easily. Its one of the government COVID sites but don't know how I got there from face book I think, tried to get a link but it would not let me on my computer browser too secure I guess. Hope the info is of help.
Of course I can imagine the need in London and similar cities of high population, trains, underground, buses etc. Generally most lung folk would not be in the thick of it if they could help it under such circumstances.
It will make a lot of difference if mask wearing for indoor settings in public becomes mandatory as asked:
"Venki Ramakrishnan called for everyone to be required to wear a mask in all indoor public settings, rather than only on public transport, and criticised confused messaging from the government."
I thoughtThe Royal Society is the independent scientific academy of the UK not government.
Either way it won't happen, how on earth would they debate in parliament after all 
what a silly man.
Face Shields on the other hand with built in microphones ... just a little bit of intelligence goes a long way.
BBC headline wear masks in public CROWDED spaces would be acceptable recommendation, again lung folk not likely to want to be in that situation.
If you read all the guidelines it says ”people with breathing problems are exempt “. I have just bought a Face Mask Exemption lanyard or clip badge for people to see if I’m out. Barbs x
Not 100% exempt. Patients or visitors to hospitals have to wear a face covering. A shop can make it a condition to enter if they want, mandatory in Scotland. Given today that The World Health Organization has acknowledged there is emerging evidence that the coronavirus can be spread by tiny particles suspended in the air, I expect that wearing a face covering will soon be mandatory within indoor settings. Having breathing difficulties does not rule out you from being infectious.
The only people I've seen wearing masks are the occasional delivery driver. I asked my daughter who unlike me, is out and about and she said no, hardly anyone. We are a country district, however and would imagine it is different in cities. I cant see it being compulsory as surely would be impossible to enforce ?
Yes, I do think that masks should be worn at all times in public places and on public transport. I am a stage 4 (very severe) and have been confined indoors for months. The few times that I have been on a bus here in London I noted several changes. First of all there were very few passengers either with or without masks. Then we were told that everyone had to wear a mask so the many complied but there was nobody to enforce it and some pulled the mask down to chat on their phones yet a recorded message was telling us to wear the mask. Macho man of course was pumped up with pride at 'not needing one'.
However, another time on the bus when the recorded message included 'although some people are exempt' a large amount of people didn't bother covering. What, they all suddenly developed breathing problems? Coincidence?
Yes, I do find wearing a mask uncomfortable but despite my severe breathing problems I will continue to wear one to protect myself and others. Not to do so would be selfish in my way of thinking. For those who who genuinely cannot wear a mask a shied is an alternative.
Transferred to Respiratory unit & holed up there 
COVID - an unusual route for infection
