If we want things to get back to normal, wearing a mask is just a small price to pay. Wearing a mask is important not just to prevent infection from sneezing and coughing. When people talk, spit droplets travel !!! A cloth mask is environmentally friendly and is easy to make.
The point of me posting the statistics is not to frighten people, it is to demonstrate the difference wearing masks makes. I myself am not that scared of the virus itself as I feel there is much we can do to protect ourselves. We should not be surprised that there is another virus (just look at history, we can't stop living our lives). We just need to deal and protect ourselves e.g. wearing a mask, hand hygiene etc, I'm more scared of the human behaviour during this crisis (e.g. fake info circulation, the suicides, abuses behind closed doors, violence etc). This pandemic did not have to go so out of control. It is Nature's way, there will always be another virus. No-one can defy Nature, so just deal with it. Life has to go on.
During the early days, the staff at care homes did not wear masks and elderly residents were dying by the truck load. Some healthy individuals feel that their basic right has been violated (muzzled) so they refuse to wear a mask. It is all about their ego. Some genuinely believe in Herd Immunity. Fair enough, but they should have worn masks when interacting with the vulnerable population. PPE should be compulsory at certain places.
The global lock down is a huge mistake, even though it appeared to be a good idea. It has ruined more lives and I'm not just talking about suicides, homicides, job losses, market crashes etc, our general mental well-being is deteriorating. Without the quality of life, I question the point of simply existing in misery. Covid19 is not the only danger in the World, other patients have suffered unfairly due to the mass hysteria. Other patients have even died due to delayed treatments.
I understand that it's impossible to have a unanimous agreement, as people would only double down on what they believe in. The only thing we can do is to protect ourselves as best we can. If you feel particularly vulnerable, self-shielding is a defence strategy too.
Even with people who are against wearing a mask, please wear one when you are cooking for others or interacting with the vulnerable individuals. Be imaginative, wearing a cloth mask can be fun, it also helps with people suffering from hay fever, polluted air, cigarette smoke etc. They keep you warm in the Winter.
To protect ourselves, please wear a mask, practise hand hygiene and physical distancing.
All the shops and offices should be allowed to open IF they have good logistics sorted out in place.
Please help end this crisis.
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I agree. The lockdown saved lives and gave our NHS time so they weren't over run. It is clear that the lockdown in Leicester has reduced infections in that area.
Whilst you 'overall' Post is Correct, I do think that a 'Lockdown' WAS necessary- if only to make the 'Public' AWARE of the problem. Bear in mind that 'we' went from a Local Infection, in China, to a Global Pandemic in seemingly No Time.
IF the Government HADN'T ordered a Lock Down, would 'anyone' have taken this seriously? No, I think that our Government acted, in our best interests, as quickly as it reasonably could. With the Benefit Of Hindsight, Yes 'things' could have been Done Differently.... but God (I use HIS name deliberately) nobody knew.
What has 'happened' HAS Happened, we need to accept that- with all it's faults- and Move On. There will be Time, after this is all over, to analysis the Why's and Wherefores.... but NOT Now. Now is the time to ALL 'Pull Together'.
Yes AndrewT, not everyone can wear masks, this is why we should encourage those individuals who can wear masks to wear masks in order to avoid spreading to the vulnerable population.
We don't know the origin, there is a possibility that that virus had already been around prior to our awareness. Again, people are not always going to agree, we just have to keep an open mind. People need to think for themselves.
The post is not about blaming, it's an attempt to show from other perspectives.
I admire you for sharing your thoughts but don't entirely agree. I feel like I don't have an opinion anymore.. all too confusing so I just take precautions.
Thank you PatsyIpswich for your most helpful input. I understand how you feel, people have different views (right or wrong). It's ok to disagree too.
You are right to take your own precautions. This is exactly what this post is all about. It's not about blaming or trying to say others shouldn't have their own views.
The intention is to let people know they have more power to prevent infection than they think.
Hi Mydexter, re Lock down huge mistake, yes indeed, that was exactly what I meant: a huge mistake in human history.
I can't claim that I am the only one who has come to that conclusion. People should not be afraid to speak what they can see, even if it means they might not agree with us.
well if everyone "knows" they should be wearing masks and there are signs all over - why then are some people STILL not wearing masks? in my town, the Mayor hired a Covid "cop" to help store owners remove people from their stores who refuse to wear masks.
Hi LindaP50, many refuse to wear masks because some people genuinely believe in Herd Immunity (of course there are also some who refuse to wear masks due to their ego feeling violated).
Sorry I don't believe many people in this country even have an idea what herd immunity is! The vast majority who defy the "advice" given are ignorant, selfish individuals who don't believe it will affect them xx
gov.uk/government/publicati... Gives more details re exception from wearing face coverings and has a link to exemption card templates for those who qualify to print off
Thank you Ali for the info, as we wouldn't want to break the law (whether we agree or not).
We get the point that some people genuinely cannot wear masks, be it psychological or medical. The stress could make things worse. I would not want that.
This post is not about trying to impose a different view on others (as I understand people have such different views, we are never going to all agree), the main intention is to highlight the other perspectives (not to get upset or angry if others don't agree with us).
If people choose to, they can take their own precautions to protect themselves. Most of us who follow good common sense have done well so far.
I believe that droplets spray is the major transmission risk when the face is not covered (hence I support mask wearing).
Even WITHOUT hand touching the other person, the virus could easily land on an uncovered face through coughing, sneezing ... or even just by talking or breathing (as spit droplets with the virus can easily land on the other person's face). Without a mask, the person's own hand can help the virus to enter the body. Hand hygiene is therefore even more important without a mask.
Hahaha! Now you are calling me a bully, accusing me of throwing insults. of being "terribly selfish or ignorant" and not fully understanding the repercussions (ie: being stupid?).
To take your points as they come:
The people on Bournemouth beach a few months ago: no social distancing, abandoning cars on roads because carparks were full (hence hindering emergency services' access), urinating (at best) everywhere because public toilets were still closed and leaving their litter all over the place...… Was that not ignorant behaviour?
I did not say that the "advice" given was wrong, I was merely trying to highlight the fact that it was advice and not law. I believe it was and is valid advice, but maybe should have been law.
Re selfish: How dare you suggest that I do not give a thought for how lockdown has affected others, and neither do I feel guilty for Shielding, and please remember we were asked to do so by the government to safeguard the NHS from being overwhelmed.
Each and every life on this planet is precious and this is why I believe (like millions of others!) that lockdown was necessary. As did most governments on the planet, strange you think you are right.
Everybody has NOT been sent to misery. True it has affected many adversely, but there are (as a thinking person you must agree) pros and cons to all possible ways of dealing with this worldwide calamity.
People are not sacrificing their lives for my beliefs, ignorant or not.
I think you may be missing a point on lockdown. It only works if everybody adheres to it. It is aimed at stopping the virus spreading? If only some do it there is no point. And yes I did feel I had to point this out to you!
Re Herd immunity, I actually talk to people about these things, and sadly, many know nothing about the science behind all this. My son, I am ashamed to say was one, but he knows now.
I don't think my claims are outrageous or unreasonable.
Please someone back me up here, I have found this really quite upsetting, just as I'm worrying about going back to work as I cannot afford to carry on shielding. xx
As you know by your writings it is clear that you realise the virus or any other respiratory virus is contracted by the airways. It is a fact that wearing a mask protects those who wear one . It is also a fact that no mask is 100% protective but never the less it is prudent to wear one in any confined space when in contact with other persons or where others have been in that confined space.
I cannot understand for the life of me why all the mumbo jumbo has been proliferated by those & that includes the so called experts that masks do not protect the wearers of masks.
I cannot understand also that those in power to issue constructive ideas on protection did not do that and did not pay attention to those who knew what to do prior to the infection coming here to the UK.
For optimum efficiency, it pays to learn what to do and what not to do and yes we all make mistakes but some of the publications re mask were not mistakes but blatant lies. Even at this late stage there is dithering. It seems faintly ridiculous to not open bowling alleys when
supermarkets and say B&Q were seen to be open with not a mask in sight and with about
100 people queuing and with the wind taking exhaled air 3- feet amongst those queuing......
utterly stupid......... Did 'they' / do 'they' know what to do in terms of careful behaviour - no.
Outrageous, unreasonable ? what I gather from your posts, is that anybody that disagrees with you is outrageous or unreasonable. There are always two sides to a conversation and both should be listened to without rudeness. You have your opinions, fine but dont try to force them on other people.
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