Sounds like masks are about to be mandatory again in at least England depots

[rubberbond]

Hopefully we will have an official briefing from CWU and RM very promptly.

It also begs the question, given the concerns about the "Omicron" variant, should we not be putting van sharing on hold again immediately?

Masks are still mandatory in Scotland, how many colleagues do you think are wearing them?

None, if they looked at the evidence regarding their effectiveness.

Can you post a link to that evidence?

https://www.rcreader.com/commentary/mas ... ial-policy

[P13]

Hopefully we will have an official briefing from CWU and RM very promptly.

It also begs the question, given the concerns about the "Omicron" variant, should we not be putting van sharing on hold again immediately?

Masks are still mandatory in Scotland, how many colleagues do you think are wearing them?

None, if they looked at the evidence regarding their effectiveness.

Can you post a link to that evidence?

https://www.rcreader.com/commentary/mas ... ial-policy

https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... Don't_Work

[ted_e_bear]

Regarding the masks don't work argument, after discussing the subject with a few people I know we all agreed that throughout the mandatory mask wearing in public period, shops etc that we rarely cought a cold,sore throat,cough whatever, fast forward, and now for example, when I go shopping I'm regularly confronted by the foul breath of someone standing next to me, so totally non scientific answer here but as far as I'm concerned masks do work when it comes to helping to prevent the spread of anything that is airborne and transmitted by a person exhaling.

[iHateD2Ds]

Wearing a mask does offer some protection but not 100%.

Ventilation,Mask,Social Distancing,Hand Washing,Wiping Surfaces all contribute to Covid Safe Working Practice,
something which Royal Mail WorkPlaces lacklustre and never got the hang of doing.

Will RM attitude change ?
I doubt it, to pre occupied Delivering Tracked than Safety.

(N95 respirators, named for their ability to filter 95 percent or more of tiny 0.3-micrometre (μm) particles, are the mainstay of protection against airborne bacteria and viruses. The European equivalent FFP2 mask, which filters about 94 percent of aerosol particles, is also very effective.)

[SpacePhoenix]

According to the news it's now up to 9 cases of Omicron in the UK. The six new cases are all in Scotland.

Realistically I think it's probably already spread around the UK and probably is in most countries already

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Hopefully we will have an official briefing from CWU and RM very promptly.

It also begs the question, given the concerns about the "Omicron" variant, should we not be putting van sharing on hold again immediately?

Masks are still mandatory in Scotland, how many colleagues do you think are wearing them?

None, if they looked at the evidence regarding their effectiveness.

Can you post a link to that evidence?

https://www.rcreader.com/commentary/mas ... ial-policy

https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... Don't_Work

Interesting article - but the authors PhD is in physics, not medicine. So not sure how applicable it is. Also what colours my reading is that some of the language used isn't very scientific, it's more political in nature. But that the joys of free speech we can listen to people and still believe they are wrong.

Denis G. Rancourt PhD
Former tenured and Full Professor of physics at the University of Ottawa, Canada. Known for applications of physics education research. Published over 100 scientific articles in the areas of metal physics, materials science, measurement methods, and earth and environmental science, and many social commentary essays. Author of the book Hierarchy and Free Expression in the Fight Against Racism.

Also, he has a history of "challenging authority" at his University.

[POSTMAN]

Heard an advert about particles in the air today on the radio so decided to do a search, came up with this...

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new- ... ing-around
A new campaign has launched demonstrating the importance of simple ventilation techniques to reduce the risks of catching COVID-19 this winter.

Voiced by Dr Helen Lawal, the film demonstrates how, in a home setting, someone infected with the virus talking and interacting with another person produces a build-up of COVID-19 particles in the air. These particles then linger in an unventilated room, like smoke, meaning the risk of catching COVID-19 is significantly increased. However, COVID-19 particles disperse quickly when good ventilation is introduced, even for a short period.

Dr Thomas Waite, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, said:

Small but important actions can help protect us against COVID-19. Getting vaccinations, wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces and taking regular COVID-19 tests all make an important difference but it is also crucial that we don’t overlook the value of ventilation.

People with COVID-19 release virus particles into the air whenever they speak, breathe or cough and these can linger in unventilated settings. With winter fast approaching and people spending more time indoors, it’s vital everyone understands the importance of using ventilation, such as regularly opening windows – even if just for a few minutes – to keep the air moving and prevent infections.

[POSTMAN]

Heard an advert about particles in the air today on the radio so decided to do a search, came up with this...

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new- ... ing-around
A new campaign has launched demonstrating the importance of simple ventilation techniques to reduce the risks of catching COVID-19 this winter.

Voiced by Dr Helen Lawal, the film demonstrates how, in a home setting, someone infected with the virus talking and interacting with another person produces a build-up of COVID-19 particles in the air. These particles then linger in an unventilated room, like smoke, meaning the risk of catching COVID-19 is significantly increased. However, COVID-19 particles disperse quickly when good ventilation is introduced, even for a short period.

Dr Thomas Waite, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, said:

Small but important actions can help protect us against COVID-19. Getting vaccinations, wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces and taking regular COVID-19 tests all make an important difference but it is also crucial that we don’t overlook the value of ventilation.

People with COVID-19 release virus particles into the air whenever they speak, breathe or cough and these can linger in unventilated settings. With winter fast approaching and people spending more time indoors, it’s vital everyone understands the importance of using ventilation, such as regularly opening windows – even if just for a few minutes – to keep the air moving and prevent infections.

[wookie]

Where would we be if Corbyn was in power then?

In diane Abbott's muff.

Superb.

[rambo1]

If you had to self isolate would that effect the Xmas bonus?

Go off sick for anything and it won't effect your xmas bonus.