Sunflower Lanyard

I mean it depends on what context? Giving masks to doctors In hospitals and just letting patients wander around without them? Evidence suggests the impact is small.

Force almost everyone to wear a mask? Bigger impact. Basically masks are better at catching Covid on the way out than in. You wear it to protect others as much as yourself.

science solves problems eg covid

The 'science' seems variable - the engineering never changes.

I'm reluctant to get into a debate about masks and masking as it seems to generate a lot of acid reflux in certain sections of society. But since you made this statement in response to one of my comments, it's only polite to share some facts with you.

Deleted user said:

The government were saying masks didn't work. Science has always known they work.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'Science'?  That's a very broad category of study. But if you are referring to medical science, then no, you're incorrect, Odd.

The American CDC (Centre for Disease Control) and Doctor Anthony Fauci (The White House's resident physician-scientist and immunologist) have all previously advised the public against wearing face coverings. A quick google search will bring up all the articles that reported this.

Christ Witty (Chief Medical Officer for England), also told Sky News last year that wearing a face mask had almost no effect on reducing the risk of contracting the coronavirus. That's a direct quote from him. The same advice was also given by Jonathan Van-Tam.  Again, there is an abundance of articles about this available online.

They have all revised their public statements several times since, but the guidance of medical science has always been and still is that the use of a mask alone is not sufficient to provide an adequate level of protection against COVID-19 and that the only face-coverings that are guaranteed to protect the wearer from airborne particles and liquid contaminating the face are N95 respirators.

There is, however, some evidence that any type of surgical mask can delay the spread of the virus indoors by around 4 minutes IF the mask is both sterile and correctly applied, AND the enclosed space is well ventilated. But, the delay in infection is still only estimated at around 4 minutes.

It is not not true that medical science has always known they work. On the other hand, they have always known that specific masks work under specific conditions do offer some protection and that mask-wearing in general has almost no effect on reducing the risk of contracting the coronavirus.

The government were saying masks didn't work. Science has always known they work.

I carry mine around in my bag. I applied for mine about three years ago for use at the airport when travelling to Spain. I had a diagnosis of panic disorder and PTSD. I cannot wear any covering over my mouth for more than a few seconds without my fight or flight response being activated with disastrous consequences. I've only ever been asked where is your mask? once by someone standing guard at Sainsbury's (I never shop there usually, but I had no choice on this occasion).  A quick flash with my lanyard and he backed down with a look of abject disappointment and resentment. I find it distressing to be around people who wear those light-green medical face coverings. Seeing their covered faces can set off my panic disorder. I prefer to see people wearing more colourful and personalised face coverings.  Of course, I'd rather not see people wearing them at all. But, we are where we are, unfortunately. I remember last year everyone telling us that masks were ineffective and could even make matters worse. Not quite sure when they changed their minds. I've never seen anyone who wears them properly, nor anyone who doesn't constantly fiddle with them, or take them on and off, which defeats the whole purpose of wearing them.

I sometimes wear mine alongside my mask too. I don't wear mine all the time, nor do I wear a mask all the time. It depends on the situation that I am in. 

It's more that i'm a night owl and i tend to work late

Being charitable, I think we're seeing more lanyards now because of the need to explain why someone isn't wearing a mask. Previously, those same people may not have needed to wear the lanyard because they didn't require any accommodation when out and about in the usual course of the day, but now, as they can't wear a mask, they actually do need to wear the lanyard to try to explain their mask-less-ness! If I wasn't being charitable, I'd say that some people are taking advantage of the lanyard in order to not wear the mask. In truth, it's probably a bit of both....

You appear to be like me - I to enjoy evening walks, less traffic and people out. No sensory overload. And I also wear the lanyard outside, because similar to you, I just like to relax. I'm in no danger or harm, and that sounds nice what you do, eating takeout 

when in theory we needed an excuse to be out of the house I wore one. I can get quite stressed sometimes if I'm in all day. walking helps. But I tend to walk at night / evening which means walking round well lit areas like city centres. So I put the lanyard on in case any police man decides to ask why I'm sat on a bench in the city centre at 9pm eating take out and playing on my phone. Of course for me it's more about stress management than exercise. So I have that excuse to fall back on.

Haha 

I use one when I'm out - never been asked about it.

My friend wears one thinking that he's being a rebel - but he's an undiagnosed aspie and everyone thinks he needs it because of his really odd behaviour