Your views as face masks are made compulsory in shops and supermarkets

Readers were asked on our Wigan Today Facebook page whether they agreed with the policy of mandatory mask wearing in shops.

And the post has sparked a huge reaction, with more than 500 comments from people giving their views on the issue, with many supporting the masks as a vital tool in fighting the virus but others saying they don’t make much difference and that it should be a choice to wear them.

Supermarkets and shops will be expected to encourage compliance with the law and can refuse entry.

The police, if necessary, have the powers to enforce these measures, including issuing a fine of £100 – though this is halved to £50 if it is paid within 14 days.

Pauline Carter said: “This should have been done from the start. How long are you in a shop? Not long and how long are you in a pub? Quite a few hours with some, so they should wear a mask. No excuses. How do you drink your ale? It’s not like you have your mouth on the glass all the time.”

Andreea Claudia Sfrejea said: “I already do it on a daily basis at work and when going out shopping as well out of care and respect for the people I support. They deserve the best and wearing a mask is the least I could do to protect them. Stay safe everyone!”

Denise Harrison said: “If wearing a mask means that we could protect the vulnerable who have previously been at home for months shielding and allow them to now be able to go out to the shops without fear then what’s the problem? I don’t like wearing one and I’m not scared for myself but I will still happily wear them even if all that does is make someone else feel safer.”

Laura Jayne said: “Think of it as wearing a condom, if you use them most of the time you reduce your chances of getting pregnant. But sometimes you don’t have one and you do it anyway, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still continue to use them when you can.”

Mike Higham said: “If people actually knew how small the virus particles are, they’d know that masks are pointless as they do not stop the virus passing through them.”

Maureen Wogan said: “Nobody likes wearing a mask, but it is necessary and only for short spells while shopping. Doesn’t bother me, feel safer for me and am doing my bit to get rid of this thing.”

Steph Jeans said: Too little too late in my opinion, pointless now we are so far down the line. Should have been done right at the beginning.”

Kate Louise Frazer said: “Already transitioned. It’s not difficult to do and I wore for several hours going in shops today including the opticians. I think it’s polite to do. I know it could have been done sooner but I’m glad we have it now if it means shops and businesses can continue to operate.

“Also, something moderately effective is always better than something completely ineffective.”

Carole Louise said: “It should have been made compulsory right at the beginning! So many people think they don’t work, but if you cough or sneeze it is obviously going to help stop it spreading.”

Chris Taylor said: “If people feel strongly about mask and moaning now about wearing them, why did you not wear them when it started? Surely you didn’t have to wait until the government told you that you had to wear one.”

Eric Lawson said: “The plan is don’t go to any non-essential shops. The stupid far to late useless mask wearing will soon be scrapped then.” The plan is dont go to any non-essential shops. The stupid far to late useless mask wearing will soon be scrapped then.”

Sarah Gregory said: “Of course i shall wear one for others sake and because i respect law but still no real evidence it’ll make a difference and more face touching than without one is going to happen with its own problems.”

Jane Lisa said: “I’d rather everyone wear a mask than one person wear a ventilator.”

Lisa Marie Cunliffe said: “Should be made to wear in all public places include bars and restaurants, no point if not allocated everywhere.”

Becka Fairhurst said: “Should of been at first, don’t see why now and the mask that are surgical are of no benefit. People touching and moving their mask is more of a risk of spreading the coronavirus. No should be own choice!”

Beverly Naylor said: “I don’t agree with it, it’s too late it should be a choice.”

Angela Hayes said: “I will wear one but don’t agree with it, should have been done ages ago.”

Kay Wood said: “Doesn’t bother me wearing a mask to go shopping, needs must. Just follow the stores policy, it’s as simple as that.”

Karen Alford said: “Absolutely agree, as places open up and we start mixing more, so does the risk of Covid-19 spreading increase. Didn’t need to before as everywhere on lockdown reducing the risk, now we’re opening up risk has increased .”

Matty Brown said: “No I don’t agree. Should be choice.”

Amanda Victoria Rigby said: “If they work or not, I will do my best to try and look after everyone.”

Rob Whelan said: “No. Just going to shop online instead.”

Keith Russell said: “Glad to see so many people wanting to spread or catch the virus because wearing a mask upsets them.”

Sarah Louise Turner said: “Sorry no, I shan’t be wearing a mask. It’s ridiculous. We didn’t ‘need’ them during the height of Covid infection as the ‘science’ didn’t warrant wearing them. It’s utter rubbish.”

Danny Gallagher said: “The masks being provided and mandated do not protect you well enough. You need a more substantial mask. Government are not being honest.

“Should have done this four months ago and now it’s locking the stable door when the horse has bolted. Farce. But you can sit in pubs without one. Ridiculous.”

Christine Haslam said: “Yes I will wear one. To those saying no because you dont have to wear one in a pub, I can choose not to go in a pub but not so easy to not go in a supermarket.”

Kimberley Smith said: “Why wear a face mask when doctors say they don’t work? What so now they do, if that’s the case then, why put us all in lockdown in the first place?”

Mike Mills said: “I agree 100 per cent that masking up is mandatory. Concerned that there will be those who will claim fictitious ‘illnesses’ just to not wear them.”

“If it was done from the beginning then we would be used to it by now , plus it’s like closing the stable door after the horse as bolted.”

Mary Speakman said: “ If it was done from the beginning we would be used to it by now, it’s like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.”

Victoria Lillis Causey said: “What I can’t understand is why from this Friday? Has corona been on holiday or something and due back Friday? Boils my brain.”