Message over face coverings

After some of the confusing messages about the wearing face coverings, I hope the following - from the former county environmental health officer for Kent County Council - helps to clarify the point of their use. Email from a friend: “Hello Tony, you had said to me when we talked on the phone that you were going to look at some face coverings that we can wear.

The ones I have got are too tight around face, can you get some loose ones for me when I come over to see you, or a simple cloth that covers the nose and mouth. Regards, Dave”

My reply: “I haven’t done that yet but what I do know is that the idea of a face mask is mainly to protect others NOT you!

“They may give you some protection but unless they fit snugly enough to trap at least some droplets of moisture and the viruses they contain then they are unlikely to be of benefit to anyone.

“Unless everyone thinks of others and wears one (which I very much doubt) then the whole point of wearing them is lost. Sadly this government is not giving the public very good or clear advice. I think you said your Mum was a nurse and if so she may be able to explain how they work.

“If you have an aunt or friend who can sew, maybe they will be able to make you a simple but more comfortable mask.

I haven’t read the paper today but it is looking like masks or at least poor substitute face coverings could also be becoming mandatory for shops etc., something the Chinese and others have been wearing for a long time. When I went to Beijing in 1985 most people wore them in the street, etc, as colds and flu were prevalent at the time.

Stay Safe, Tony”

I hope that this will help reduce the spread of Covid 19.

Please make sure yours covers your nose as well, unlike some being worn by news reporters on TV!

Tony Monk

when the Dover-Calais crossing is disrupted, Kent’s Conservative MPs and councillors should have united in demanding urgent action to prepare, including the acquisition of Manston and the upgrading of the road network. In July 2017, still holding every seat in Kent save one, Kent’s Conservative MPs could and should have copied the Democratic Unionists and extracted a billion pounds investment for Kent.

Instead they turned themselves into a work of modern art – a squadron of barrage balloons, inert, defenceless and full of gas.

Joe Egerton

following correspondence I have had with the MP for Maidstone & the Weald, Helen Grant, it appears that she does not consider driving with impaired vision as being worthy of comment, and by such lack of comment, could be considered to condone it.

This is despite the fact that according to the KCC road accident statistics for districts in 2018, Maidstone had the highest number of car occupant injuries (being top in both young and older driver categories), as well as being top for motorcycle injuries.

Data from the DVLA shows thousands lose their licence due to eye-related problems. It found 19,644 motorists had their licence revoked between January 2017 and September 2019 for inadequate eyesight.

John Apter, the chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, urged those feeling unwell or with impaired vision not to drive.

As a former road death investigator with Hampshire police I have investigated many serious collisions, including fatalities, some caused by this issue.

Her Constituents are entitled to expect their MP would not condone driving by anyone who considers they might have a problem with their eyesight.

I fear for the future of the UK if politicians ignore the potential impact of road accidents.

Steve Russell

Matfield Crescent, Maidstone