Cloth masks, scarves and bandanas to be 'encouraged' with no compulsion

[yorkie]

Your quote was not of the WHO website.

It was from the BBC; are you saying the BBC are lying about what WHO advise?

 

[Djgr]

Not so. The evidence for their effectiveness when used by people who are infected is reasonably good (though not 100%), because it's basically like a permanently-in-position handkerchief.

I think I shall stick to the WHO stance which is pretty neutral on cloth masks. Fortunately the walking infected appear to be becoming a rare breed.

 

[Ianigsy]

I can't help thinking that transport providers are missing a trick by not offering branded face masks.

Personally, I have a couple of light scarves which I have to hand in case I'm asked to wear one, and a couple of face masks and snood scarves on order.

 

[Mojo]

Small shops here are already selling surgical masks at £5 each. If there are not enough for NHS and homes yet, why is this not banned?

I don’t know where you are, but they are for sale in independent pharmacies in London; pretty much all have them and they are about 50p each.

 

[westv]

I think I shall stick to the WHO stance which is pretty neutral on cloth masks. Fortunately the walking infected appear to be becoming a rare breed.

Indeed. If it was that important we wouldn't have this mish mash of countries saying don't bother/be advised/you must.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think I shall stick to the WHO stance which is pretty neutral on cloth masks. Fortunately the walking infected appear to be becoming a rare breed.

It's hard to get decent figures, but it does seem that most of it, in the UK at least, is now in healthcare and care homes, and that if you aren't in any way involved in either of those areas you are very, very unlikely to catch it even if you take no care whatsoever.

I wonder if this is why they're concerned about the "bubble" concept as it would stop NHS and care-worker families being self-contained in terms of contact and get it out into the wild again?

 

[Djgr]

Facemasks certainly don't seem to be taking off here, although you do get individuals in supermarkets dressed as extras from Zombie Apocalypse who then proceed to pay with CASH!

 

[ashkeba]

I don’t know where you are, but they are for sale in independent pharmacies in London; pretty much all have them and they are about 50p each.

East Cambridgeshire

 

[ashkeba]

It was from the BBC; are you saying the BBC are lying about what WHO advise?

Misinterpreted more than lying but I think any more would be deleted as off topic.

 

[david1212]

I have just looked at Chiltern Railways website.

On the Covid-19 page https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/coronavirus under If you need to travel on our service, please follow these tips: is included

Please use face covering when you are travelling on our services.*

The asterisk then states
*The public is being strongly urged not to purchase surgical masks or respirators. These are prioritised for healthcare workers working in more high-risk environments where the risk is greatest. Instead the public is encouraged to make face coverings at home, using scarves or other textile items that many will already own. Read the guidance on how to wear and make a cloth face covering.

If a forum member travels on a Chiltern Service maybe they can report if at least most passengers are following the advice plus any monitoring prior to boarding. Given many services run driver only on train monitoring will be very limited.

 

[Mojo]

I have just looked at Chiltern Railways website.

On the Covid-19 page https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/coronavirus under If you need to travel on our service, please follow these tips: is included



The asterisk then states
*The public is being strongly urged not to purchase surgical masks or respirators. These are prioritised for healthcare workers working in more high-risk environments where the risk is greatest. Instead the public is encouraged to make face coverings at home, using scarves or other textile items that many will already own. Read the guidance on how to wear and make a cloth face covering.

If a forum member travels on a Chiltern Service maybe they can report if at least most passengers are following the advice plus any monitoring prior to boarding. Given many services run driver only on train monitoring will be very limited.

I would say that as a proportion of customers travelling on public transport in the London area, including on Chiltern, the proportion of persons wearing facemasks has not changed substantially since the end of March. I was however very amused to see three staff at St Pancras station last week wearing face visors, but no face mask.

Moderator note: This thread has now been superseded by recent events and is now locked; please see: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...blic-transport-in-england-from-15-june.205120