Worthing reacts to wearing a mask in shops - your poll results revealed

More than 2,000 people responded to the poll on Facebook, which asked people for their views on whether wearing masks in shops should be compulsory or not.

Just a few hours later, the government announced it will indeed soon be mandatory to wear face masks in shops. People will have to do so from July 24, or face a £100 fine.

Of the 2,600 people who voted in our Facebook poll, 1,400 people (57 per cent) selected ‘yes, face masks should be mandatory’.

Meanwhile, 1,000 people said ‘no, wearing masks should be a choice’.

Hundreds of people took to the comments to share their views about the matter.

Claire Bessat said: “We should be wearing masks at all times in indoor or enclosed spaces and when within 6ft of people outdoors. The UK is one of only countries taking so long to put these helpful measures in place, unfortunately. This virus is no joke.”

Mandy Collison said: “I agree. I will be wearing one when I can pluck up the courage to go into town.”

Bryn Clements said: “They should be made a mandatory, but people also need to realise that wearing a mask doesn’t mean you can stop social distancing entirely.”

But George Maund said he ‘dreaded’ the thought of having to wear a mask, and Colin David Hodds said: “Absolute madness will kill what’s left of the retail stone dead. Not necessary at all, if it’s so bad why not gyms, pubs, cinema, parks?”

The facts about wearing a mask - and myths debunked

Wearing a mask in public is considered to lower the risk of the wearer spreading coronavirus.

Evidence suggests wearing a face covering does not protect you, so social distancing should still be followed.

Though concerns have been spread online about masks causing people to breathe in more CO2, there is no evidence for this.

Another claim is that wearing a mask could limit a person’s supply of oxygen. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says, “The prolonged use of medical masks when properly worn, does not cause CO2 intoxication nor oxygen deficiency.”

The WHO says people should not wear a mask while exercising. People with respiratory problems who may struggle to breathe are also exempt from having to wear one.