I don’t know about anyone else but I’ve already spent a small fortune on masks, admittedly as a result of losing them or forgetting them at home. It’s fine for me, I can afford to buy more on the road. For those on low incomes, though, this could quickly become a problem.

I’ve just paid £8 in @sainsburys for a pack of 10 before I boarded the tube. The more places we need to wear masks the more likely they are to wear out. Some regional/national governments (like Italy) have experimented with free masks. Might be something we come to consider here.

We know that Covid is more likely to kill poorer people. If masks are to central to our public health strategy for a long time and we’re convinced of their epidemiological value then it makes sense to ensure that part of the population has complete ease of access to them.

That’s especially the case of the government (as in Wales) comes to recommend a superior (and potentially more expensive) type of covering.

And for those saying it’s not a problem/they’re cheap/don’t lose them then, get out of the bubble you so often accuse the media of being in. Lots of people live on so little they count every penny- they can’t afford even the initial outlay. Hence foodbanks now accepting masks.