Masks

To summarise:

(i) You wear a mask primarily to protect others, not yourself. Although it can protect you somewhat also.

(ii) Covid-19 is a nasty disease; it can kill the fit and well, as well as the vulnerable, and can also cause severe debilitating impacts (long Covid)

(iii) You can have the virus and be spreading it for some time before symptoms develop, and if you are asymptomatic, then you may well continue to spread the virus without developing symptoms

(iv) There have been a number of studies which demonstrate the real efficacy of wearing a mask, for both droplet-borne and aerosol-borne Covid-19,

(v) Even a face covering is useful, simple masks are better, N95 masks are better still,

(vi) For the great majority of people, including those with asthma and similar illnesses, there are no problems with breathing, people don't get asphyxiated, or hyperventilate, that is an Internet-driven myth

(vii) They look smart, and you can now get creative with fabrics and so forth. Masks are cool!

(viii) Masks are just one part of the jigsaw - we also need to practice social distancing, wash our hands, avoid crowds, stick to our bubbles, and so forth

(ix) It is the law, so just do it.