'Nothing you can't put up with' - Mail readers have their say on change in face covering rules

The question on our Facebook page came ahead of the Government’s announcement that their use would become compulsory in shops in England from Friday, July 24.

When asked whether the change would make them feel safer, 57% of the 552 people polled via Facebook said it would – with 43% saying no.

Current evidence suggests that wearing a face covering does not protect you from coronavirus.

However, if you are infected but are not showing any symptoms, wearing a face-covering will offer some degree of protection for those you come in close contact with.

Some readers questioned why the decision was not made earlier in the lockdown, which began at the end of March in England.

Here's how you reacted on the Hartlepool Mail Facebook page:

Julie Bell: “Definitely. I have not worn a mask during full lockdown as shops were monitoring access and limiting access.

"Now it's a free for all and I now wear a mask in shops. You cannot depend on people to use common sense as some people don't have any.”

Peter Thygesen: “Not really but if they think it would help why have they waited until now to consider it? Surely they should have done something along these lines back when all of this began?”

Christine Verrall: “These people who are forcing this issue have no idea how bad this will be if you're very claustrophobic. I really suffer with things over or on my face neck and head as well as small spaces.

"Washing your hands and sanitising them works the best.”

Michelle Porritt Ward: “I have been wearing a mask to shop at Asda the last three weeks as I haven't felt that people are keeping their distance enough.”

Graeme Scott: “If face masks helped initially then why did we wreck the economy, if they don’t work then why are we being forced to wear them?”

Sharon Packham: “I always wear a mask, I don’t see the issue with wearing one unless you have severe asthma.”

Jamie Sanderson: “All of this whinging. Unless you've got a medical reason not to is it really that much of an issue to wear one? Even if you don't think it works. What harm is it doing?

"I've had to wear one for a couple of days recently and they're annoying. Nothing you can't put up with though. I bet being on a ventilator is miles worse.”

Steven Booth: “So we have walked around for months and months no masks and the numbers of supposed Covid have dropped to almost nil and Now we get asked to wear a mask? Am I missing something here or am I going mad?

Laura Gibson: “We get shoplifters more in our shop using them to cover their faces – it's getting harder to spot them.”

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