Compulsory face masks didn’t stop a second Covid wave elsewhere

sir – If anything should inform our Government about the pointlessness of face masks, it is Israel’s experience.

Despite masks being compulsory, even on the beaches, Israel is experiencing the world’s worst second wave. Initially, the country had one of the strictest lockdowns, so this may have been caused by the economy opening up too quickly. However, it does not affect the fact that face masks appear to have done nothing to help.

Dr Felicity Griffiths

Cobham, Surrey

sir – As a lifelong Tory voter and one-time supporter of the Prime Minister, I am rapidly losing faith in him. The “Boris bounce” has become a confusing deflation.

First, Mr Johnson was pictured wearing a mask while holding a pint of beer, which he obviously did not intend to drink, as he didn’t want to encourage people to remove their masks. But then, while giving a television interview, he realised that he couldn’t be heard, so had to tear it off.

Face coverings will put people off going shopping, just as things were returning to normal. Confusion is a mild word for our situation. Chaos is better.

Dr Terry Langford

Lymington, Hampshire

sir – If the Government is serious about encouraging people to return to their offices, it needs to take a different approach.

Many employees have adjusted to working from home – and they like it. Compulsory masks will not persuade them to return; rather, they give the impression it is dangerous to do so.

The new normal will not be going to work and buying a sandwich wearing a mask. It will be working from home without one.

Harvey Ainley

Whitchurch-on-thames, Oxfordshire

sir – No doubt many people are furious about compulsory face masks.

However, people felt the same when car seat belts and motorcycle helmets were made mandatory. Today, many are thankful for being saved from serious injury, or even death, by a seat belt or helmet.

Face coverings might not save one personally from Covid-19 – but they could save a vulnerable person.

Jon Summers

Probus, Cornwall

sir – Wearing a mask is one thing, but I am worried about the exit strategy.

After a vaccine has quelled the virus, will we be told to wear masks in public if we have a cold? Protect the NHS. Save lives.

Keith Macpherson

Clevedon, Somerset

sir – In my local Boots, I have just seen a woman wearing a face mask, but lifting it every time she sneezed and coughed. I despair.

Dr Michaelagh Walker

Canterbury, Kent