The many masked faces visible outdoors at Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre on Wednesday afternoon reflect the fact that, for many, wearing one is a question of choice, routine and personal comfort as much as adherence to government regulations.
Maskwearing is mandated indoors including in shops, supermarkets and on public transport but that could all change amid reports that England is on track to drop social distancing and face mask requirements on 19 July.
Many of those out in Manchester expressed relief that the end of compulsory mask-wearing was in sight.
“That’s the hope,” said Michael Webster, 79, a retired minister, at the thought of masks coming off in a matter of weeks. “I’ve had both doses now so I’ll be happy to take it off.”
Webster said while he’s been happy to abide by government guidelines, masks have “been a hindrance”. “I can’t wait to be able to sing in church. At the moment you’re only able to hum with conviction!”
“It’ll be coming straight off for me,” said Julia Nowak, 19, who was out in Manchester with her friend, also called Julia, and her dog Stitch. “Mine gives me breathing difficulties not to mention spots, but I understand it’s about personal preference. If people want to keep theirs on that’s fine by me.”
Ashley Merritt, an electrician from north Manchester, said the success of the vaccine rollout meant it was time to “move on” but acknowledged that “everyone’s going to feel different”.
“I think some of the older generation will remain anxious. My father-in-law’s had two jabs but he still won’t let us into the house,” he added.
Not everyone said they were ready to jettison theirs, however. Olivia Woods, a 21-year-old University of Manchester pharmacy student, said she was used to wearing a mask and that it made her feel protected.
“I’ll probably keep wearing it for a little while [after 19 July]. Cases are rising and you can see the wards starting to fill up. People are understandably impatient but I’m not so sure we should be lifting restrictions right now.”
Manchester college music student James Worgan, 18, expressed surprise that the mask mandate could be coming to an end so soon: “I’d be shocked if I got on the bus one day and no one was wearing a mask but I’m sure I’d get used to it pretty quickly.
“I understand if you’re exempt because of breathing difficulties but it’s not that hard to just wear one.”
Feelings were also mixed in Brixton, in south London, where some people were vociferous in their support of mask-wearing and others could not wait to get rid of them.
Nasser Ouchene, 53, said he was scared not to wear his mask. “I don’t play with my life,” he said. Ouchene, from Clapham, said he was also motivated by a desire to protect his family, pointing to his one-year-old son, Ruben.
“I have friends who have died – the virus will not play about. Of course I will continue to do it. I have had two jabs but some people would not tell you if they were sick.”
Chantelle Gabriella Jazz, on the other hand, said she was “ecstatic”. The 31-year-old from Peckham said: “It will help young people connect with each other. For children, in particular, they take so many cues from facial expressions.”
Laura Cameron, 29, from west London, said: “It is a struggle. People have been isolating then you go out and you don’t see anyone’s face. And, personally, I have health issues around wearing a mask, so it is time.”
Declan Mason was significantly more cautious. The 23-year-old from Muswell Hill in north London said: “There will be a portion of people who will continue for their own sanity or to feel safe.
“But I think it is a good idea to keep wearing a mask. In some east Asian countries, they do it routinely when they are ill and I hope it does stay and become part of our society.”
Harvey Cole, 23, from Golders Green, said: “A lot of people will ditch masks but I think some people will keep them on public transport. They might do so too in busy areas.”
But, he said, indicating down a fairly quiet Atlantic Road on a bright day in south London “perhaps not when it’s like this”.
Outside Birmingham’s Bullring centre, most shoppers said they would probably keep wearing face masks in public places, even if the government drops the rules mandating them.
“I’ll probably wear them for a little while longer and maybe when things die down more I’ll stop. They bother me a bit because I wear a hijab, but I put it on to help other people and protect myself so I think it’s worth it,” said 17-year-old Halimah Mahmood.
Ellie Asprey, a 21-year-old swimming teacher from Dudley, said she would continue wearing them until autumn. “It makes other people feel a bit safer. I think after a while, like in September, if the situation was a bit better and the cases stayed low, then I would probably stop wearing them.”
But her partner, Harry Devereux-Petch, 25, said he was keen to ditch them: “I probably won’t keep wearing one, I’m double-jabbed now. I also get tested through work twice a week.”
Bill Thompstone, 85, said he was scared at the prospect of wearing masks at first but although still undecided, would consider wearing them longer-term.
“I don’t really like wearing them, but we should. When I first saw they were going to be used I was quite frightened as I was never very good at having things over my mouth but you get used to it. Sometimes I don’t even notice I’ve got it on,” he said. “You do it for the sake of other people.
“I think when they say we can leave them off, a lot of people will still be putting them on.”
