If masks are not compulsory we should fully respect people's wishes to not wear them. I was asked to don my mask in our medical centre and I complied cheerfully. I do wear a mask in our tiny village shop because the lady who runs it, who we've known for years, always wears one and we have to stand very close in there. I think that comes under the heading of just being respectful of people's feelings of vulnerability. I went into a big bike shop the other day and the chap immediately demanded that I donned a mask. When I told him I didn't have one with me he tried to usher me to the door and said we could chat outside. Well he doesn't have to let me in his shop and I don't have to buy his stuff. Fine by me.

I don't feel the same at all about people who refuse the vaccine. Vaccines are THE way out of this. We can all wear masks for ever more and the thing will never go away. My whole face is a big part of my humanity and, unless I'm ordered otherwise by the law, the world can see it. All of it, thanks. But vaccine-refusers don't get my respect at all.