Mask wearing most effective

[Bayleaf]

40k new cases in the UK yesterday, 20k in France. So, it's just creeping up again.

I still keep an eye on local news from the SW England, and was shocked to see them showing off the Christmas Lights at Plymouth last night - and a few NHS staff were switching the lights on, as it was celebrating their hard work during the pandemic (like it was all over). The streets were packed, and not one sign of a mask. Interestingly though, when the three NHS workers were interviewed, they all kept their distance from each other and the camera crew, and one nurse summed up that Covid is still here and we all still need to act responsibly and safely. Sadly, the background picture of crowds of people didn't really depict that at all.

More than happy to keep wearing my mask everywhere possible, and minimising contact with others in general! Yes, I'm an antisociable old bag - suits me fine!

[Sparkle]

@Bayleaf Final sentence - ditto from me

[niemeyjt]

Seems Austria is going to mandate vaccination by law.

I am far from being an anti-vaxer - having had my flu jab and harangued my doctor today for permission for a booster - but the idea that the State now tells anyone what to do with their bodies I find a step too far.

[MAD87]

I think self-control in France has been broadly excellent and govt action sensible - none of this "it's all over, enjoy your freedom" nonsense.
I'm a bit ambivalent about compulsory vaccinations, given potential contra-indications for certain people, although I understand official anxiety. However, why health professionals should baulk is a mystery to me.
I'm just glad I live here and not in Plague Island.

[Char]

I think some vaccines are obligatory in France already. I know that when our daughter started school over here we had to prove that she'd had various vaccines (can't remember which) and if we hadn't been able to show she'd had them, she would have had to have them before she was allowed to start.

[exile]

An article in the Times today
“Wearing a mask is the most effective way in which the public can curb coronavirus cases, a study has found. Global research has found that masks can slash incidences of infection by 53 per cent. The first systematic review of its kind, a meta-analysis published in the BMJ, has found that non-pharmaceutical measures, such as mask-wearing, social distancing and handwashing, are all effective at keeping infection numbers down.
Researchers at Monash University in Australia and the University of Edinburgh found that wearing masks was the most effective of the three and have called for their use alongside vaccines.”

Do you have a link for the quote please Rabbit? I would like to put it in front of someone who thinks masks are just a fashion statement. [Prat that he is.]

[niemeyjt]

Just off to physio - have to say a mask is a PITA in some circumstances.

But will play "spot the dodgy mask wearer" on the bus there.

[exile]

Seems Austria is going to mandate vaccination by law.

I am far from being an anti-vaxer - having had my flu jab and harangued my doctor today for permission for a booster - but the idea that the State now tells anyone what to do with their bodies I find a step too far.

The state already tells you what to do with your body. You must strap it into a seat (bondage anyone) when travelling in a car. That is the state telling you what you must do to help protect yourself. Compulsory vaccination against covid is the state telling you what you must do to help protect society. Surely that is more important than simple self preservation.

[Char]

An article in the Times today
“Wearing a mask is the most effective way in which the public can curb coronavirus cases, a study has found. Global research has found that masks can slash incidences of infection by 53 per cent. The first systematic review of its kind, a meta-analysis published in the BMJ, has found that non-pharmaceutical measures, such as mask-wearing, social distancing and handwashing, are all effective at keeping infection numbers down.
Researchers at Monash University in Australia and the University of Edinburgh found that wearing masks was the most effective of the three and have called for their use alongside vaccines.”

Do you have a link for the quote please Rabbit? I would like to put it in front of someone who thinks masks are just a fashion statement. [Prat that he is.]

Not a link to that quote but a link to the study published in the BMJ if it helps - https://www.bmj.com/content/375/bmj-2021-068302

[Doug]

Just seen todays figures on the guardian online, for the uk.
46,800 new cases.
199 deaths.