English and Welsh ‘Brits’ increasingly lax on masks but Scottish ‘Brits’ keeping them on

This was written by a health editor based on ONS data. The ONS can easily break down the data for each of the 4 nations but has chosen not to do so.

So, Scots are increasingly lax on masks too?

Nope.

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has been monitoring behaviour changes in terms of facemask wearing and social mixing.

Notably, for the week-ending 29 September 2021, with rates falling slightly or flat across the UK, they noted in their data:

Self-reported facemask wearing for those who have at least one non-home contact appears to have reduced below 70% in England, though this overall figure masks differences by age. Reported face-covering wearing has stabilised in the over 60s but continues to fall in younger age groups. The use of face-coverings has remained high in both Wales and Scotland (> 85% of participants), where use in certain social settings has remained mandatory.

https://cmmid.github.io/topics/covid19/reports/comix/Comix%20Weekly%20Report%2079.pdf

A week later infection levels begin to climb in England

Then for week-ending 6th October, they report:

There has been a sharp decline in reported use of facemasks in Wales this week, but this is likely due to a smaller sample size. We will continue to monitor this in the following weeks.

https://cmmid.github.io/topics/covid19/reports/comix/Comix%20Weekly%20Report%2081.pdf

And for week-ending 13th October, the latest, they report:

The decline in face mask usage in Wales noted last week persists at approximately 75%. Face mask usage in England amongst those 18 to 29 years old who have reported contacts outside of the household continues to decrease.

https://cmmid.github.io/topics/covid19/reports/comix/Comix%20Weekly%20Report%2081.pdf

On October 16th, the infection rate in Wales surges and continues to climb in England.

Mask-wearing trends in Scotland and northern Ireland are not mentioned so stable. Rates flatten and appear to stabilise.

Health Warning: Other factors may apply.

Source: https://cmmid.github.io/topics/covid19/comix-reports.html

While I don’t usually go much for anecdotal evidence, I’ve seen 100% compliance in local stories and I’ve been told of almost 100% non-compliance as soon as you cross the border.

3 thoughts on “English and Welsh ‘Brits’ increasingly lax on masks but Scottish ‘Brits’ keeping them on

  1. I mentioned in response to an earlier post this week about a presentation by Professor Stephen Reicher. He reported that compliance with protection practices, such as mask wearing in shops, has remained consistently high. Of curse, Reporting Scotland will read out a tweet – ‘nobody wearing masks in the supermarket’ and present that as news.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. I noticed the difference in mask wearing returning by train from Liverpool in late August, Few people wearing masks on trains and in stations despite crowds round information boards and getting on and off trains. For part of the journey, Preston to Lakes, we were 5 (one a toddler) round a four seat table, plus luggage and I had a folded buggy under my feet! Not even train staff wearing face coverings.
    Tested myself twice in the days after return but was negative.

    Liked by 3 people

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