As England has now developed a new plan on easing lockdown restrictions, mask-wearing, especially in busy cities, is ever more important.
Due to the high demand for face masks, it has become tricky to find which mask is the best for protection. We have the top tips on what to look for when purchasing your face mask and a guide on staying safe in the city.
The Government also encourages people to keep social distance where possible and to wash their hands before and after travel.
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Lab-tested face masks
There’s an infinite number of face mask brands available, but not all of them offer the best protection. Make sure your face mask is lab tested with 95% BFE bacterial filtration efficiency, as this states whether the material is strong enough to combat bacteria from penetrating.
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Keep an eye out for masks with nanotechnology which is best for breathability, so you can remain protected and still breathe comfortably, as well as a mask that is 100% droplet resistant so that droplets from coughs and sneezes will not enter the material.
Last year, the UK government advised to use cloth masks instead of medical grade masks due to concerns of shortages for medical staff. Since then, many people have turned to using higher grade face masks such as N95, FFP2 and FFP3 as these offer a stronger protection for the wearer than cloth masks.
The World Health Organisation has recommended using a mask with triple layers. Masks that have a polypropylene sms filter in the middle layer, are considered the best system for bacteria filtration.
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Recently, the CDC has recommended double-masking to reduce Covid-19 exposure, as research suggests aerosol droplet protection can increase by 90% through wearing a well-fitted surgical mask covered by a cloth mask. The research found that protective masks which fit well around the face prevent leakage of air around the masks edges, adding another protective layer.
Material and comfort
As mentioned regarding multi-layers, the inner layer should be cotton fabric, preferably hypoallergenic and/or antibacterial, as this will not only protect your skin but help avoid mask acne.
When leaving your home, you may be wearing your face mask for a short or long period of time, therefore it’s best that your mask be comfortable! Masks with adjustable straps are best in terms of comfortability by choosing the level of tightness that’s perfect for you, and putting your face mask on/off more hygienically than touching the mask itself.
Masks that have a nose bridge not only cover your face but will contour to its shape, giving you tailored protection.
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Face mask littering
Numerous cities across the UK are reporting the impact discarded disposable face masks are having on their cities and wildlife.
Due to this impact, many people are switching to reusable face mask options like SmartCover, which is reusable and washable up to 67 times, without compromising on your safety.
News
Hundreds of staff to strike at four Greater Manchester hospitals next week
Emily Sergeant
Hundreds of staff at four of Greater Manchester’s hospitals are set to strike next week.
More than 350 Northern Care Alliance Foundation Trust (NCA) employees – including nurses, clinical support workers and housekeepers – are walking out for three days next week after union UNISON says an offer to ‘resolve’ a dispute was withdrawn before discussions could take place.
According to the union, the dispute centres on the NCA’s use of an outside agency called NHS Professionals (NHSP) to manage overtime.
When covering staff shortages, workers are entitled to time-and-a-half pay – however in some cases, staff earn less than they would on a normal shift, and some have even been missing out on more than £80 per shift, the union added.
Operating theatre staff were previously on picket lines in June, and although an option to resolve the row was initially tabled by NCA bosses, this has now fallen through.
Hundreds of staff at four of Greater Manchester’s hospitals are set to strike next week / Credit: Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
This means that staff at Salford Royal Hospital, Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary, and Fairfield Hospital in Bury are walking out next week on Monday 24, Wednesday 26, and Friday 28 August.
In particular, staff from all four sites will also gather in Salford on Wednesday (26 August) for a ‘unified’ day of protest.
Understandably, some disruption is expected at each of the hospitals on strike days.
“Those at the top of NCA have shown a lack of leadership and made their disregard for their staff clear,” explained UNISON North West regional organiser, Kevin Dolan.
“A deal was put on the table but taken away before we had chance to talk it over. We are ready to continue negotiations, but it’s obvious NCA has no intention of resolving this.
“This isn’t complicated. Staff are simply asking for what their contract says they’re entitled to. Nothing more.”
Featured Image – Pxhere
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Wetherspoons introduces new phone rule at all UK pubs after customers are ‘driven nuts’
Emily Sergeant
JD Wetherspoon has announced a major new phone rule in all its sites across the UK after customers complain of being ‘driven nuts’.
The pub chain – which has nearly 800 branches across the UK – announced earlier this week that it has made the decision to ban people from playing music or videos out of their phones, and from taking calls on loudspeaker.
The ban, which has been introduced effective immediately, follows a rising number of complaints from customers about the noise – with owners saying sounds from smartphones and tablet computers had become an ‘increasing problem’ in recent years.
Wetherspoon founder and chairman, Tim Martin, says he wants Wetherspoon pubs to be ‘an oasis of tranquillity and contemplation’.
Wetherspoons has introduced a new phone rule at all its UK pubs after customers are ‘driven nuts’ / Credit: Allan Rohmer (via Unsplash)
A formal statement from the company announcing the ban reads: “Following complaints from customers, who are being driven nuts by other people’s videos and amplified phone conversations, Wetherspoon has asked customers to switch their phones to silent or to use earphones.”
Tim Martin added: “In order to avoid customers being driven chicken jalfrezi by a cacophony of sound, we are kindly asking phone users to pipe down.”
Wetherspoon’s ban follows a YouGov poll conducted last year questioning public opinion on a proposition made by the Liberal Democrats of introducing fines of up to £1,000 for ‘headphone dodgers’ who play music out loud on buses and trains.
62% of people, on average, said they would back this move if it was introduced.
The poll, which surveyed 6,815 British adults, found that almost three-quarters of those over 65 would support the fines, while those aged between 18 and 24 were split 47% to 43% in favour of it.
Early public reactions to Wetherspoon’s ban appears to be overwhelmingly positive.
The Manc -
22nd February 2021 
