Dear Ms Miller,
Thank you for your email.
Evidence suggests that wearing a face covering does not protect you. However, if you are infected but have not yet developed symptoms, it may provide some protection for others you come into close contact with. The evidence of coverings preventing the spread of infection from one person to another is "marginal but positive", according to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies that is advising the government.
Since 11 May the public in England have been advised to wear face coverings in enclosed public spaces, such as supermarkets, where it can be difficult to follow social distancing rules. There is growing evidence that wearing them helps protect individuals and those around them from the virus. Making it mandatory sends a stronger signal to people about their value.
If you can, you should also wear a face covering in other enclosed public spaces where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet. This is most relevant for short periods indoors in crowded areas. People will not be required to wear a covering in places where it's not practical - such as in a pub, cafe or restaurant. Children under 11 and those with certain disabilities or medical conditions will be exempt.
Face coverings do not replace social distancing. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, and/or high temperature, and/or loss of, or change in, your normal sense of smell or taste - anosmia), you and your household must isolate at home: wearing a face covering does not change this. You should arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19.
A face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used by healthcare and other workers as part of personal protective equipment. These should continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against risks in their workplace, such as health and care workers, and those in industrial settings, like those exposed to dust hazards.
Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 3 or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly. It is important to use face coverings properly, dispose of them correctly and wash your hands before putting them on and taking them off.
I know that some people are unhappy about this change, indeed it is not something that I welcome. But if we all do our bit we should be able to avoid a second wave of this disease and start to get back to so called normal life more quickly.
With regard to why the local authority has been measuring footfall, I would suggest that you contact them and ask them as this is not a project that I am aware of.
With best wishes
John Whittingdale
Dear Mr Whittingdale MP,
I
should appreciate your response to the following:
When
did you first become aware that the Covid 19 related death figures in England
were being misrepresented?
Are
you aware of the reason for the sudden shift in Govt's, seeming preference, for
following herd immunity guidelines then locking the whole country
down within days of that announcement; that being 23 March 2020?
As
the government continue to try to persuade the population that the above named
virus is still a real threat, why do you consider, (this being the case) that
compulsory wearing of masks in shops should not be enforced until 24 July
2020, a whole 10 days after the announcement?
To
what end has our Local Authority been recruiting volunteers, (for the past six
weeks) to stand on our streets 'counting foot-fall' and recording how many
citizens are wearing PPE?
Thank
you for your time and I await your response.
Yours sincerely,
