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‘If it saves a life, wearing a mask is worth it’ | ‘If it saves a life, wearing a mask is worth it’ |
(32 minutes later) | |
Peter Barnes, 29, came down with Covid-19 in March and made a full recovery. So it's perhaps not surprising that he is happy about the government's plan to make wearing face masks in shops compulsory in England from 24 July. | Peter Barnes, 29, came down with Covid-19 in March and made a full recovery. So it's perhaps not surprising that he is happy about the government's plan to make wearing face masks in shops compulsory in England from 24 July. |
The political consultant from London was bed-bound with the virus for nine days and could barely eat. | The political consultant from London was bed-bound with the virus for nine days and could barely eat. |
"I think it's an incredibly self-centred opinion if you're refusing to wear a mask because you are mildly inconvenienced while buying a loaf of bread," he tells the BBC. | "I think it's an incredibly self-centred opinion if you're refusing to wear a mask because you are mildly inconvenienced while buying a loaf of bread," he tells the BBC. |
"If we can save one life, then wearing a mask in the supermarket for an hour or so has got to be entirely worth it." | "If we can save one life, then wearing a mask in the supermarket for an hour or so has got to be entirely worth it." |
However, Mr Barnes thinks the government has "confused people" in the past with its policies, and fears it will not properly enforce this one. | However, Mr Barnes thinks the government has "confused people" in the past with its policies, and fears it will not properly enforce this one. |
'Quick to judge' | 'Quick to judge' |
He also worries that false information about face masks is spreading on social media and might stop people from following the rules. | He also worries that false information about face masks is spreading on social media and might stop people from following the rules. |
"Think about other people. You might not get it, but you might give it to someone else." | "Think about other people. You might not get it, but you might give it to someone else." |
Not everyone thinks the government's plan is a good idea, however. Daisy Louise Simpson, 32, has severe asthma and says the new rule is stressing her out. | Not everyone thinks the government's plan is a good idea, however. Daisy Louise Simpson, 32, has severe asthma and says the new rule is stressing her out. |
"With my asthma as bad as it is, I struggle to breathe and the mask adds another complication," the Essex-based actress says. | "With my asthma as bad as it is, I struggle to breathe and the mask adds another complication," the Essex-based actress says. |
The government has said that people with certain disabilities will be exempt from wearing masks and has already made concessions for those with breathing difficulties on public transport. | The government has said that people with certain disabilities will be exempt from wearing masks and has already made concessions for those with breathing difficulties on public transport. |
However, Daisy worries that if she is the only one not wearing a mask in a shop she will stand out. | However, Daisy worries that if she is the only one not wearing a mask in a shop she will stand out. |
"People are already quick to judge - I worry that if my asthma is bad, will people assume I have coronavirus and be abusive?" | "People are already quick to judge - I worry that if my asthma is bad, will people assume I have coronavirus and be abusive?" |
"If you can wear a mask, you should do it. It shouldn't be up for discussion," she stresses. | "If you can wear a mask, you should do it. It shouldn't be up for discussion," she stresses. |
"But I don't think it should be mandatory - I think we risk the possibility of ostracising disabled people." | "But I don't think it should be mandatory - I think we risk the possibility of ostracising disabled people." |
'Better late than never' | |
Deborah Hiscock, 47, a genealogist from Southampton welcomes the policy but questions why England did not do it sooner. | Deborah Hiscock, 47, a genealogist from Southampton welcomes the policy but questions why England did not do it sooner. |
"I personally think people should have been wearing masks in shops ever since the World Health Organisation said we were in a pandemic. We should have been following other countries' leads." | "I personally think people should have been wearing masks in shops ever since the World Health Organisation said we were in a pandemic. We should have been following other countries' leads." |
However, she worries about the risk of transmission in shops and says it is "better late than never". | However, she worries about the risk of transmission in shops and says it is "better late than never". |
"We don't know if there will be a second wave [of infections], so I think it will be worth it." | "We don't know if there will be a second wave [of infections], so I think it will be worth it." |
Some unions and business groups have warned that making shoppers wear masks could "trigger abuse" from some customers. Some also fear it will put some shoppers off at a time when retailers need consumer confidence to return. | Some unions and business groups have warned that making shoppers wear masks could "trigger abuse" from some customers. Some also fear it will put some shoppers off at a time when retailers need consumer confidence to return. |
JD Sports chairman Peter Cowgill told the BBC's Today programme on Tuesday the move was likely to impact footfall, particularly at indoor shopping centres. | JD Sports chairman Peter Cowgill told the BBC's Today programme on Tuesday the move was likely to impact footfall, particularly at indoor shopping centres. |
"I think it's the inconsistency and the indecisiveness of the messaging that impacts consumer confidence," he added. | "I think it's the inconsistency and the indecisiveness of the messaging that impacts consumer confidence," he added. |
"Maybe it will be a positive for older customers, but a deterrent for younger ones." | "Maybe it will be a positive for older customers, but a deterrent for younger ones." |
Worker concerns | Worker concerns |
Antiques shop owner Mary Foster in Weybridge is most concerned about how security will be affected. | Antiques shop owner Mary Foster in Weybridge is most concerned about how security will be affected. |
"We have already had two robberies and three attempted robberies," she tells the BBC. "I think people will feel more empowered to try to steal things [if they come in wearing masks]." | "We have already had two robberies and three attempted robberies," she tells the BBC. "I think people will feel more empowered to try to steal things [if they come in wearing masks]." |
Ms Foster's shop has CCTV cameras, which have so far been useful in apprehending two suspects. But if all customers wear masks, the video cameras will be unable to identify individuals. | Ms Foster's shop has CCTV cameras, which have so far been useful in apprehending two suspects. But if all customers wear masks, the video cameras will be unable to identify individuals. |
Debbie, who works at a small supermarket in Fulham, says she worries about having to enforce the new policy. | Debbie, who works at a small supermarket in Fulham, says she worries about having to enforce the new policy. |
"We don't have much staff so how are we are going to make sure people coming in are abiding by the rules? | "We don't have much staff so how are we are going to make sure people coming in are abiding by the rules? |
"Already people don't really use the one-way system we have in the store and often they don't stand two metres apart either. | "Already people don't really use the one-way system we have in the store and often they don't stand two metres apart either. |
"When we tell them they argue," she says. | "When we tell them they argue," she says. |