Face masks still order of the day in virus hotspot

PEOPLE IN Redcar, which currently has the highest rate of Covid cases in England, said they would continue to wear masks indoors to protect others.

At the seaside town, where the infection rate has reached 1,267.2 cases per 100,000 people, families who visited to enjoy the sunshine said they would continue to take precautions after the social distancing restrictions were lifted by the Government.

Primary school worker Linda Phillips said she will continue to wear masks in shops.

“The majority of people do respect each other, but there are some people who do not respect other people’s personal space,” she said.

“I work in a reception class and when we go back in September I will be wearing my mask (when she welcomes parents) even though we will not be required to do so.”

Bernard Leavold, 77, said: “People should be wearing masks on buses, trains and in shops.

“I have noticed there are more people today in the high street, everyone has piled out – the sun has a lot to do with it.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if we have 100,000 new cases a day in the country soon.”

Chip shop worker Nicky White, 53, said her employers at the Sea Breeze in Redcar have followed all the protocols to keep staff and customers safe, despite the heat.

She said: “We are all wearing masks, we have screens up, we get tested and we have all got our Covid passes. We have it down to a tee. We are doing a lot better than some of the big name stores.”

Audrey Raper, 87, said she had tuberculosis (TB) when she was younger and spent six months in hospital.

“TB was rampant then and we didn’t take much heed,” she said. “They’re more clued up now with the technology and I think people are better informed – it’s up to the public now to take heed of the warnings.”

It comes after 40 cancer charities, including Yorkshire Cancer Research, signed a letter that implores people to continue taking precautions and reminds them that cancer patients with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to Covid-19.

It states: “The more people exercise their freedom to stop wearing masks and stop social distancing, the more people with cancer will feel they have to stop their normal activities, and will feel more worried when they have to do things like use public transport.”