It’s not about stopping you catching it, it’s about limiting the amount of virus you spread to others.
We now know that Sars-CoV-2 is transmitted through tiny aerosol particles.
I agree flimsy masks do not prevent you being exposed to aerosols but there is no real world evidence to suggest that flimsy loose fitting masks stop you transmitting. Standard masks, which are flimsy and loose fitting, are not designed to filter such particles, which can pass through the masks as well as through the gaps at the side of the masks.
If you wish to prevent transmission, you can choose to wear a tightly fitting FFP3 mask which would be pretty much 100% effective, of an FFP2 mask which is not far off.
Just picking up on this. Why is it that the UK seems to have a flimsy "exempt yourself for absolutely any reason and no one can challenge you" rule...yet other countries I've managed to get to this summer were all enforcing absolutely mandatory mask use and everyone just got on with it without moaning and rushing to buy a sunflower lanyard
Because people in other countries are compliant with authoritarianism and are dismissive of disability rights.
(a scheme which has been completely hijacked and has now lost all meaning)?
That is the fault of those who have sought to mandate masks.
An exemption, if absolutely necessary, should be something that only a doctor can exempt the person from.
Doctors are too busy for this and how would this work when the exemption is for mental health reasons such as anxiety or distress? Your idea is unworkable
It's hardly useful saying wear a mask, but really, just say you can't wear one If you don't want to, no one will ask.
The whole concept is useless.
You can argue about the effectiveness of masks till the cows come home but this paradox that exists in the UK is even more pointless.
It's all pointless which is one of the reasons I won't be wearing one.
Well isn't Britain doing better than those countries?
We are indeed, but pro-maskers won't want to admit this.
It dosen't do that either unless you wear a FPP3 or something similar.
While a face nappy is very effective against bacteria; viruses (and the aerosols they are borne in) are so small it is the equivalent of putting a chain link fence round a wasps nest to stop the wasps escaping.
That's right.
FFP3 masks are designed to filter tiny aerosol particles, whereas standard masks are not. The aerosol particles through which Sars-CoV-2 are absolutely tiny.
It’s also the case that the infection rate in Scotland has been higher than that in England. And also that Wales, with a similar mandate has the highest in the UK.
Lies, damn lies and statistics!
Indeed; pro-maskers are very reluctant to talk about Wales. They only want to talk about Scotland on those occasions when case rates are lower in Scotland than in England; when the reverse applies they go silent. Funny that, isn't it?