Too little, too late; many people won’t bother and it's the staff who will suffer — Northampton's view on wearing face masks in shops

Public opinion is firmly behind the idea of wearing face coverings in Northampton’s shops — but many believe it’s too little, too late and most people won’t bother while shop staff will be targets for abuse.

Hundreds weighed in following the Chronicle & Echo’s stories on Monday’s late-night announcement that shoppers could face £100 fines for not wearing face coverings from July 24.

Police chiefs said it will be down to shop staff to police the rules "in the first instance" and they would enforce where necessary.

Unions and store bosses responded that they did not want their staff in the firing line and many fear being forced to wear masks will spark confrontation and put workers under pressure.

Shop worker Gina Wooding summed up the mood of many in a post on the Chronicle & Echo Facebook page, saying: “Us shop workers are not security guards or police so why should we take abuse off customers.

"We’ve had enough of it already from people not wanting to shop alone and not as a couple.”

Jacquie Colbeck added: “ have been wearing a mask for the last five weeks all day at work while Some customers will refuse to sanitise their hands so I’m looking forward to getting more complaints.”

A majority of Chron readers appear to be in favour of wearing face coverings but believe it will cause more confusion.

Carole Thomas said: “I feel for those with asthma who will find it uncomfortable. I know they are exempt but how do they avoid the aggro they will get from shop owners and other customers.

“It's not fair that they will have to disclose their ailment to strangers.”

Tony Church added: “Larger stores will be able to have security at the entrances — smaller ones will struggle.”

Neil Jarrett said: “I genuinely don't understand the attitude of some people who are complaining about this.

“OK, so the research is somewhat contradictory in terms of how effective face masks are at controlling the spread of Covid-19. However, even if it *might* help reduce the spread by even ten or 15 per cent, isn't it worth doing to reduce the risk of yourself, your family or other people contracting the virus?”

Adam Longley said: “The government should have brought this in straight away. Eleven more days — not including the previous 3½ months — is plenty of time for the virus to spread around.

Stanley Thorneycroft added: “It’s too little too late — this should of been in place at beginning.”

Face coverings have been mandatory on buses and trains since June 15 but many report passengers failing to comply.

Jaqui Gillard said: “Is this the same "mandatory" as wearing them on public transport?

“I see people sitting on the bus with their face masks pulled down under their chin or they have been let on without a mask because the bus drivers claim it's not their job make sure their passengers are following the rules.”

And finally, why do you need to wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets yet not pubs?

Nicholas Jordan said: “You have to wear a mask in a shop for a few moments yet I can sit in the pub all day without one.”

And Gary Gibson added: “If someone coughs the germs can travel and transmit quite a distance. But surely they can be airborne in a pub too? It just seems silly!”