Wear a mask to show solidarity

WITH the obvious exception of Zorro, no one likes wearing a facemask. They itch, they make your glasses steam up and, if you wear them more than once, they seem to start to smell.

- CLARE AINSWORTH

With long, thick hair, I have the added problem of strands getting caught in the mask and tickling my mouth and nose.

I also hate to think of the volume of waste, and harm to wildlife, caused by discarded masks. Equally, I find homemade, cloth, masks more annoying and poor fitting. They appear to have been designed for someone with a giant head and rubber ears.

Yet, like about 50% of the population, I still wear a mask in public places, such as public transport, in shops and at the theatre. And I'll probably continue doing so for a while to come.

But how can face-coverings have become such a divisive issue? And why can't public health experts give us some conclusive advice on whether wearing them is actually effective in reducing the transmission of airborne infections?