FACE masks are making a return as a Covid and flu 'twindemic' sweeps Worcester - although no-one is obliged to wear one and some refuse.
While some Worcester News readers are wearing face masks again because of the rise in respiratory infections, others say they will never put one on again while some will only wear one in certain circumstances.
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Nicki Porter wrote on the Worcester News Facebook page: "Already been doing so (wearing a mask) on the weekly shop. It's very refreshing to see many others doing so too. Having had another bout of a nasty case of Covid in November/December, which had me bedridden for a good few days, I refuse to take any more chances."
But Chris Hemmings wrote: "I won’t go back to wearing one, even in hospitals etc as it’s not enforceable by law. I will only wear one if I’m seeing someone who is clinically vulnerable now."
Meanwhile, many healthcare settings, including Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester, are insisting visitors wear masks.
It is no longer a legal requirement to wear face coverings in care homes in England, but guidance recommends staff and visitors wear them in certain situations.
Ambulances have been pictured in queues outside A&E in Worcester as pressure on the NHS mounts, partly caused by the spread of respiratory infections. The 'record' strain on the hospital was reached on December 19, an emergency consultant has revealed.
David Raven, Divisional Director Urgent Care, EM Consultant, wrote on Twitter: "At 10pm on December 19 we hit a record of 176 patients in ED at WRH.
"Such demand poses risk to patients and staff, especially with covid, flu, RSV circulating."
On Monday the UK Health Security Agency said flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) are circulating at high levels and 'are likely to continue to increase in coming weeks'.
Children who are unwell or have a fever have been told they should stay home from school or nursery until they feel better and the fever has resolved.
A spokesperson said: "Adults should also try to stay home when unwell and if you do have to go out, wear a face covering. When unwell don’t visit healthcare settings or visit vulnerable people unless urgent."
A CPT spokesperson, speaking on behalf of First Buses which runs services in Worcestershire, said: “Bus operators are committed to the safety and wellbeing of passengers by following the latest public health advice from the Government and through regular deep cleaning of vehicles.
“If passengers are unwell or have coronavirus or flu symptoms, they should avoid travelling.”
A spokesperson for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: "Currently, all patients and visitors (as well as our staff) are required to wear a face mask in all areas of our hospitals (unless exempt), this will be provided for you.
"If a patient and visitor chooses to wear a high filtration FFP2 or FFP3 mask, you will not be required to replace it with one of our surgical masks.
Please continue to follow other infection control safety measures when visiting our hospitals, including regular hand washing and use of hand sanitiser."
Following updated national guidance around visiting healthcare settings, the trust has returned to an open visiting policy across hospitals.
This means that up to two visitors at a time will be welcome to visit patients between 10am and 10pm, seven days a week.
This policy applies to all adult acute inpatient areas. Separate visiting guidance remains in place in paediatrics, maternity, critical care and high dependency units.
A spokesperson for the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust said: "We are currently seeing a rise in COVID-19 infection rates and therefore ask that all patients and visitors wear a face mask while in our buildings (unless you are exempt) to help keep our patients and staff safe."
They asked feeling unwell or with symptoms of flu or covid to contact the service to discuss alternative arrangements.
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