The new regulations for England are the same as those which have always been in place in Scotland which don’t seem to have made much difference to the infection rates.

I've explained this before. All this is annoying because, as I've said, I do actually wear masks out of respect for rules that people are unreasonably expected to enforce. But I'll once again deal with the NHS point.

We are not here to 'protect the NHS'.....That's completely upside down. It's actually brainwashed upside down thinking.

The NHS is funded by the vast majority of the taxpayer for the direct purpose of providing free....at the point of delivery...national healthcare.

It's not there so that people have to live a presubscribed lifestyle dictated to them by self righteous berks.

If it needs extra funding or expansion to provide that then that's the job of the elected government. Before the vaccines the government showed that they were prepared to do that with the Nightingale hospitals....They have no plans that I've heard of.

If you are going to criticise people for their personal healthcare decisions then there is a very long queue of people who enjoy a drink, burgers and fags who would be quite happy to show you some fingers and inform you on which stop you can get off.

If you are going to wag your finger for virtual points then try it with the heart attack/stroke victims from lifestyles choices and smoking/drinking induced cancers. than covid could ever provide for it. Most of those are down to lifestyle choices that the individuals undertook.

Basically take a run and jump off the nearest swimming pool plank.

Edited by Stirlingsays (08 Dec 2021 10.08pm)

I know. We vaccinate too.

But haven’t had to wear masks which was the point.

Christ. If you think the point of a functioning mask is to prevent ALL particles getting through, you need to do some more reading.

Also – Scared? Personally I couldn't give a rats ass if I get COVID these days based on the high likelihood any infection will be mild or asymptomatic. The reason I choose to wear a mask is mainly for others, the Eastern Cultural approach – not everyone has the ability to work from home or still earn if they're forced to stay home for 10 days. Sometimes not being a selfish, grandstanding tool benefits others so they don't lose their job or fail to pay the heating bill.

And yes, FFP2 masks are nowhere near as efficient as N95s, but they're not that accessible to the everyday population are they? Further, the point of masks that offer at least some protection, is to at least offer some protection. Not to act as a vacuum.

It's about reducing the amount of viral load that does get through rather than eliminating it completely, which is impossible unless you're planning on wearing a scuba mask and a tank of oxygen.

N95 masks are excellent but you can't wear them for long periods of time as they do, in fact, start to limit airflow to the point of becoming problematic. Further, even they will let through silica, just in small enough amounts not to be an issue in whatever test they use to determine regs.

Also – I may be wrong as I haven't got the time to trawl back through this thread, but didn't you rail against the vaccine then end up taking it? I'd rather read a qualified quantitive study than sully my brain with unobjective rants.

So don't be a selfish moron, understand the detail, be objective and follow the science.

Many places, and public transport, still required them. It's just an alternative management strategy. Masks are only though a part of the effort and in many ways a badge to indicate we are onboard.