If we keep up social distancing, we don’t need face masks

YOU report that the Government will make the wearing of face coverings compulsory on public transport (The Yorkshire Post, June 5 and 6).

Far Eastern countries have seen a resurgence of Covid-19, even though people there wear masks. And, as you report, the positive effects are at best very small.

Not only are they scarcely effective, but here in Bramley, and probably elsewhere in West

Yorkshire, buses pass either totally empty or at most carrying one or two passengers. There is ample room to allow social distancing on buses so coverings are not needed.

Wearing face coverings is also likely to hinder economic growth. People who once used public transport to shop in city centres may be deterred from shopping, even when more shops reopen, if they have to wear coverings on buses and trains.

And those who used to visit resorts, such as Whitby, are unlikely to travel up to four hours wearing a covering even when resorts offer more services again.

The compulsory wearing of face coverings has been ill thought through, is unnecessary and is ineffective in reducing the rate of infection.

The simplest and most effective way of reducing infection rates remains abiding by the two metre rule of social distancing.

From: Paul Morley, Long Preston, Skipton.

WHAT on earth were those police officers doing kneeling down to show support for demonstrators during the Black Lives Matter rally?

Are they no longer told that they are there to uphold the law, not to show support or lack of it to the cause being demonstrated about?

Once you put the uniform on, your personal feelings and prejudices should be left behind or you cannot police fairly.

Many years ago when I was policing demonstrations, kneeling down in front of the crowd would have been the quickest way to get cracked on the head with a banner!

From: Hilary Andrews, Nursery Lane, Leeds.

WATCHING the marches for Black Lives Matter throughout the UK, I couldn’t help wondering whether or not we should perhaps consider all the NHS workers who will, more than likely, now face another outbreak of patients with the virus. All lives matter and these passionate demonstrators should have found a safer way to protest.