Our columnist Dawn Neesom has her say
Precautions are needed, but this might be taking it too far!
One of the most astonishing stories to emerge recently was the tale of a new couple so terrified of catching coronavirus they wore masks and gloves
while having sex! Guessing their grasp of contagion isn’t as high as their libidos but, really, what the hell?
But this is where we are now. Face coverings are compulsory on all forms of public transport and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is urging the Government to make them mandatory for pretty much everything else we do indoors too.
The science on whether masks are actually any use has veered all over the shop since day one of the pandemic. Some countries insist on them, some, like Japan, have always used them, while others leave the choice to the individual.
Half the UK are so terrified they’ll wear them in the most unnecessary circumstances, while the other half either actively dislike them or simply hate being told what to do. The young lovers in the news are probably the most extreme example, but I’ve also witnessed people driving, alone, dressed like they’re about to perform open-heart surgery.
One of the big drawbacks of face coverings is that – in a world where we can’t hug or shake hands – it takes away the benefit of being able to greet someone with a beaming smile. And how important is it for mental health, to be able to see a smiling, happy face? Of course, if the science does back up wearing masks then we must, but there are all sorts of other medical issues that need to be taken into account. For the hard of hearing, being able to see someone talking is a lifeline. Anyone suffering from hay fever or respiratory tract issues will need to change their masks every five minutes, while spec wearers will be living in a blurry world of steamed-up lenses. Then there’s the unseen issues for people with anxieties for whom covering their nose and mouth results in panic attacks. It’s easy to glare at someone who dares wander around the supermarket with an unmasked face, but we all need to consider why that might be the case.
On a lighter note you can at least have some fun with designs, from cute animals to skulls. My personal favourite is a black lace design which I like to think is rather chic. The husband, however, thinks Fifty Shades of Grey. So maybe that young couple had the right idea after all…
‘The science on masks is all over the shop’