CORONAVIRUS - Face Covering!

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I received a packet of bandanas this morning, that I had ordered to make some facemasks to be worn in public spaces, during this awful Pandemic. It does seem that the British Government will soon ask us all to wear face coverings in public, as they try to stop the spread of this deadly Coronavirus. I have personally always been in two minds about wearing such a mask, because I have not been entirely convinced by their usefulness, but clearly we have reached a point where we will have no option, as the death figure in the UK passes twenty-six thousand. If we are to get back to any sense of normality, we have to do all we can to restart our lives, before the economy collapses.

Personally I don't agree with the public wearing medical grade masks, which should be prioritised for use within the NHS, but I do think if all of us wore some form of covering, we could begin to reduce the spread of COVID-19 drastically. Scotland along with many other nations are already advising people wear protection, so I am sure we will follow soon enough. As a result I have been looking across the internet, trying to find the best way to make a mask and used what I think is the simplest method. Of course this isn't as effective as an NHS equivalent, but it can help stop the spread of this disease dramatically, especially if we all wear one.

I will don my mask in public spaces, although haven't thought about whether to wear it during a nine-hour shift at work and because of my limited contact with the public, being behind a perspex screen, I am not sure it will help me in any case. Whilst walking through the shop or in other enclosed spaces, I will of course put one on.

In the end all of us will have to do what we feel is right at this time. I see many people sporting protective face coverings while I am at work, they are mainly young and not necessarily the people you would expect to see using them. I also see many older and disabled people out and about, who I would have never expected to and should instead be shielded at home, but not everyone has the luxury of having friends, family and neighbours to help them. As we pass the peak of this pandemic, we should all take the opportunity to sit and think about others and encourage everyone to look after themselves and their loved ones. Everyone should take precautions, follow social distancing rules, keep two meters apart and continue to practice good hygiene, so we can eventually get back to a sense or normality and enjoy the lives we once had!

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