Wear A Mask And Save Lives

I think the article below (very kindly provided by John in Blacon – thanks again John) will be of great help to many. The message of wear a mask and save lives is so important and vital. But as so many have been confused the question has been, where do we wear a mask? It has been quite a grey area for some.

Although I suppose to make it simple, maybe adopt the approach of “if in doubt, wear it out.” Meaning, wear a mask at all times when you are out. That would avoid any uncertainty or ambiguity when you go from A to B.

But, on the other hand, when you wear a mask they can be quite restrictive. And stifling. And if you wear glasses. Wow, what a nightmare. You could end up walking into things as you try to navigate a way round with steamed up glasses.

I did make a jokey comment to the room full of nurses at the Countess in the phlebotomy room when having a blood test a couple of weeks ago. A man with steamed up glasses and a room full of nurses? Make up your own punchline.

Joking apart though, there are many who wear a mask and are uncomfortable about it. But wear them we should. And if leaving them on all the time you are out is not for you, then where exactly do we need to wear a mask?

Carry on reading to find out. These are the Government recommendations as from today, 8th August. I’ve highlighted recommendations (as mentioned in the opening paragraph below) as there still seems to be room for grey areas. Also see below.

Wear A Mask And Save Lives

Here is the wear a mask message below. Take note everyone. And, you can guess what’s coming next. Spread the word wherever you can.

Gov UK – Face Coverings – For members of the public, from 8 August 2020.

“Where will people need to wear face coverings?

We are now recommending that face coverings are worn in additional indoor settings and this will be enforceable in law.

Currently you are required to wear face coverings in shops, supermarkets, indoor shopping centres, indoor transport hubs and public transport.

For members of the public, from 8 August this will be expanded to include: funeral directors premises. Anyone providing professional, legal or financial services. Cinemas, theatres, bingo halls, concert halls, museums, galleries, aquariums, indoor zoos or visitor farms.

Or other indoor tourist, heritage or cultural sites. Nail, beauty, hair salons and barbers. Other than where necessary to remove for treatments or massage parlours.

Public areas in hotels and hostels. Places of worship, libraries and public reading rooms, community centres, social clubs, tattoo and piercing parlours, indoor entertainment venues (amusement arcades, funfairs, adventure activities such as laser quest, go-karting, escape rooms, heritage sites).

Also, storage and distribution facilities, veterinary services and auction houses.

We recommend face coverings are worn in these settings now. But this will not be mandatory until 8 August.

Some people, including disabled people and those who have invisible impairments or conditions such as mental illness, do not need to wear face coverings if they are unable to do so.

People are not required to prove they are exempt from a face covering. Those who have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing one should not be routinely asked to give any written evidence of this.

Why do I now have to wear a face covering in more enclosed spaces?

In recent weeks, we have reopened more retail, leisure and other facilities. In these places you will come into contact with people you would not ordinarily.

We want to give more confidence to people to use these facilities. And increase protection for those who work in them, minimising risk wherever possible.

Do I need to wear a face covering in school?

Public Health England does not recommend the use of face coverings in schools. This evidence will be kept under review. Face coverings are not required in schools because pupils and staff are mixing in consistent groups. And because misuse may inadvertently increase the risk of transmission.

There may also be negative effects on communication and thus education.

Do I need to wear a face covering at work?

There is no universal face coverings guidance for workplaces because of the variety of work environments in different industries.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has provided detailed guidance for specific workplace settings.

Employers must make sure that the risk assessment for their business addresses the risks of COVID-19 using BEIS guidance to inform decisions and control measures including close proximity working.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) needs to be managed through a hierarchy or system of control including social distancing, high standards of hand hygiene, increased surface cleaning, fixed teams or partnering, and other measures such as using screens or barriers to separate people from each other.

These measures remain the best ways of managing risk in the workplace. But there are some circumstances when wearing a face covering may be marginally beneficial and a precautionary measure.

This will largely be to protect others and not the wearer. If employees choose to wear a face covering, normal policies relating to occupational workwear and PPE will continue to apply.

When you do not need to wear a face covering

In settings where face coverings are required in England, there are some circumstances, for health, age or equality reasons, where people are not expected to wear face coverings.

Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances. Noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings, and that the reasons for this may not be visible to others.

You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to.

This includes (but is not limited to): young children under the age of 11, (Public Health England do not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons) not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress.

If you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate to avoid harm or injury. Or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others to avoid injury. Or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you to eat or drink if reasonably necessary in order to take medication.

Also,if a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering.

There are also scenarios when you are permitted to remove a face covering when asked:

For instance, if asked to do so in a bank, building society, or post office for identification. Also, if asked to do so by shop staff or relevant employees for identification.

The purpose of assessing health recommendations, such as a pharmacist, or for age identification purposes including when buying age restricted products such as alcohol.

Furthermore, if speaking with people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions and clear sound. Some may ask you, either verbally or in writing, to remove a covering to help with communication.

Exemption Cards

Those who have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering should not be routinely asked to give any written evidence of this. This includes exemption cards.

No person needs to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about their reason for not wearing a face covering. Some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering.

This could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or even a homemade sign. This is a personal choice and is not necessary in law. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/31-july-announcement“

Wear A Mask Guidelines – Is It All Clear Now?

Wear a mask guidelines then. Is all the above clear now? Reading the article it seems that it is as clear as black and white (in some instances) and grey in others. Regarding the grey areas. Am I right in assuming that if somebody did not want to wear a mask they could make their own homemade sign saying that they do not need to wear a mask? As per the last section – Exemption Cards – in the Government statement above.

As per this last section anyone with, say, health reasons can decide not to wear a mask. And they are not required to provide any medical confirmation to support this. So, someone could make their own, homemade sign saying something like, “not wearing a mask due to health reasons” and that would be the end of it?

It’s like I said, some of the above seems to be black and white, while other bits are greyish.

Wear A Mask And Save Lives Summary

In summary it’s like saying, “you should definitely wear a mask in these situations.” Which is then diluted to, “you should definitely maybe have to wear a mask in these situations.” It’s a strong message in some respects, but then it isn’t. I think with some people, they will always wear a mask come what may. And you may find that some will go down the homemade sign route come what may.

The Government message is helpful on the one hand but, as I say, some people will not necessarily want to follow or need to follow what the authorities tell them. That’s the way of the world really.

Case in point, I was in the Co-Op on Hoole Road the other day. There was about 10 shoppers in there. Only about 4, myself included, were wearing a mask. Any mention by the non mask wearing staff to the maskless customers? None that I was aware of. That’s not a criticism. It’s a statement of how it is. As long as you do have greyish areas then you will get a mix of mask wearers and non mask wearers.

Another spin on it of course is that while businesses are looking to recover economically you get the business angle. For instance, if a coach load of tourists parked outside your shop and piled in with cash to spend, but none were wearing masks, would you turn them away?

Still, at least you now know what’s expected. The importance of all these messages of course is that we all try and stay safe.

Wear a Mask!! Wash Your Hands!! Keep A Safe Distance!!

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