In a recent article in The Telegraph, Professor David Halpern (chief executive of the Behavioural Insights Team, the UK’s ‘Nudge Unit’) described how he had successfully used a covert psychological strategy to persuade the then prime minister,
Masks
NHS cites a computer-modelling study to justify ongoing mask requirements
In a sane world, the legitimacy of using computer modelling as a rationale for imposing covid restrictions would be seriously questioned. In 2020, Professor Neil Ferguson (an epidemiologist at University College London) gained notoriety for his doomsday prediction that 2.2 million Americans and 500,000 British people could die as a direct consequence of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus. These wildly inaccurate prophesies were largely responsible for spooking governments into imposing ineffective and hugely damaging lockdowns and, subsequently, the modelling methodology was heavily criticised.
The facts about mask requirements
This might come as a surprise to those working in healthcare, but since 27th January 2022, there has been no legal requirement to wear a mask or face covering in any healthcare setting in England. The other devolved nations have also followed suit. So why are NHS trusts and care homes still insisting on this?
Masks in NHS Campaign
Irrespective of setting, masking healthy people does more harm than good. Yet much of the NHS persists with the expectation that everybody (staff, patients and visitors) should continue to wear a face covering in their hospitals, health centres and GP practices.
The relaxation of the mask requirement in healthcare settings
On the 1st of June 2022, NHS England issued further guidance regarding the use of face masks in clinical settings. In what could be – optimistically – construed as further progress towards the Government’s ‘Living with covid’ goal, this latest official briefing directs hospitals and other care settings to end the requirement for staff, patients and visitors to wear face coverings in most wards and departments.
Masks do more harm than good
Whilst masks are a successful psychological tool to remind the public to remain alert, they are not effective in preventing the community spread of disease.
Universal masking – is it still lurking around the corner?
HART member Gary Sidley has written numerous articles on the imposition of masking for the general public, despite poor evidence that masks work and plenty of evidence of harm.
Why are healthcare venues persisting with masks?
The evidence that masking healthy people in community settings reduces viral transmission is – at best – weak and contradictory. In light of this lack of empirical support for the effectiveness of face coverings, together with the multiple harms associated with them, HART welcomes the lifting of all mask mandates in the UK.
Have face masks reduced covid cases?
Mask mandates in high-school age children were continued in Scotland in the Autumn 2021 school term. At the same time in England, masks were made optional. We can compare the difference in case counts in both countries and see the effect of this difference in policy.
How Confident is the Government in its ‘Evidence’ on Masks
It would seem that Nadhim Zahawi’s most recent promised ‘material’ evidence for his recommendations for face coverings in secondary classrooms is as flimsy as some of the cloth masks our teenagers will need to resort to using.
Mask mandates: bad and harmful
With regards further mask mandates, inaction is infinitely more rational than action.
Can a Trauma Informed Approach and adherence to COVID-19 guidelines ethically co-exist?
Can a trauma informed approach and adherence to COVID Guidelines Ethically co-exist?
Drop the mask and be a force for good
22 July 2021 – An important contribution to getting our lives back to some form of much-needed normality.
Confusion among mask advocates
15 July 2021 – Professor Trish Greenhalgh revealed her incoherent thinking in a long Twitter thread.
More hypocrisy on display at Wimbledon and Wembley
15 July 2021 – In case we were in any doubt, there are now extreme double standards at play in our society. How long will we allow this rampant hypocrisy to continue?
Lift all mask mandates
8 July 2021 – HART believes we should all now be given the option to unmask, reclaim our humanity, and return to an enjoyable and worthwhile life.
It is time to ditch the mask
17 June 2021 – This week, Boris Johnson squandered the opportunity to remove all the remaining COVID-19 restrictions, extending the mask and social distancing requirements until, at least, 19 July.
It’s now or never – mask mandates must be lifted
3 June 2021 – The 15 June will be the first anniversary of England’s mask mandate, 12 months on from the introduction of the unprecedented requirement for healthy people to wear face coverings.
