Thinking about this a bit more - the #smokefree #facecoverings comparison. I do think it is relevant, but with caveats. In March 2016 I visited a main railway station in Scotland the day before and the day after the smokefree law came in. 1/5
The day before, people were smoking on the concourse, in cafes at the station and elsewhere. The next day, no one I saw was smoking. Not a single person. The difference was sudden and really noticeable. Plus in time, data showed that overall compliance was strikingly high. 2/5
Last week I visited a local large supermarket. I’d say fewer than one in five people were wearing face coverings. I went back just now, the 2nd day of it being mandatory. Almost everyone, with a couple of exceptions, was wearing a face covering. 3/5
A difference here is that smokefree was accompanied by a long lead in and A LOT of clear information about why, and how (including enforcement) for the public & businesses. That’s not really the case with face coverings. 4/5
The result may be that compliance will not be as high. Plus of course there are relevant exceptions so not everyone is required to wear one. But if accompanied by clear ongoing messaging, including more signage, I expect most people who can wear one will do so. 5/5
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