Online voices

STORY: Masks with valves and plastic face shields less effective at reducing spread of coronavirus, new study finds.

Vicci Carroll: But they'll still sell them and allow people to wear them.

Thomas Smart: They don't sell them for the exclusive use of preventing the spread of COVID. They've been used by tradespeople for as long as I can remember.

Andrew Evans: All masks raise the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and if proper rather than pseudo science is to be believed, they can cause respiratory illness through lack of oxygen going in and the recycled co2.

Andy John Gray: We look like ninjas.

Julie-anne Clark: May not stop the spread. When it's proven and is definite then I'll listen, until then stop scaring people. We're nervous enough without more things added to it.

G David Watson: Rubbish.

STORY: More Sunderland pubs close for a deep clean after workers test positive for virus.

Elizabeth Swanston:

I still think all staff in restaurants n pubs should have at least a visor on. Many have nothing. Yet we are told to wear masks etc in shops. Doesn’t make sense. More needs to be done. I’ve been in two cafe/restaurants lately that didn’t take name or address for track n trace!

Helen Colquhoun: I thought they had to but have noticed they have been taking them off.

Jean Phillips-nee

Bateman: No track and trace in large department stores or supermarkets and never have to deep clean everyone picking up items then putting them back, don't know who's been in them with the virus at least in pubs etc. most do track and trace and trying their best to survive.

Liz Brewis: They should be closed virus is still out there and people just don’t take care.

Kelly Whiteley: People have to earn a living. Wwe need to learn to live with it now, some people’s livelihoods depends on the pubs being open, your’re just as much at risk getting on a bus or going to the shopping etc.