What MailOnline readers REALLY think about the calls to wear masks again trends now
Anyone feeling unwell should wear a mask if they have to leave their home, officials have said.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) bosses also advise people to delay going back to work and school to avoid spreading bugs and piling pressure on the NHS.
The alert comes amid a surge in Covid, flu and scarlet fever cases.
So amid the extreme pressures on the NHS, exacerbated by a winter 'tripledemic', should society go back to pandemic-era mask-wearing?
MailOnline readers were today asked to share their opinions on the possible return of face masks. Here's 20 of the best rated comments...
Answers to MailOnline's poll as of 12pm GMT today
The flu-nami has swept across the NHS in England, the latest round of health service data shows, with over 3,800 admissions for the virus on December 23. Graph shows the number of beds on wards taken up by those with flu (red) and the number of beds occupied due to the virus in critical care (blue)
Do YOU think face masks should be brought back?
YES 17720 votes NO 27492 votes UNDECIDED 960 votesNow share your opinion
Looking at the poll I am again disappointed in our people why do so many still think a mask is of any benefit Palharri, Airstrip one, United Kingdom
Facemasks are as much use as a chocolate teapot Leyton Exile, Par Cornwall, United Kingdom
I will never ever wear one again and neither will my kids get stuffed Globe trotter, Anywhere I fancy, United Kingdom
No. They cause more harm than good and are useless anyway. TheUnbeliever, Bromsgrove, United Kingdom
Rather than telling us to change, why dont the bosses develop an action plan and do what they're paid to do. Save the NHS? From who and what exactly. Stop treating those who haven't paid in or have just arrived and do your jobs. HughJorgann, Cranfield, United Kingdom
Since they are useless the answer is no. retep eastbourne, Polegate, United Kingdom
Absolutely not, never again will I wear one. If you want to wear a muzzle then you do so, don't worry about people who don't if you have one on. Poddington, The Moon, United Kingdom
NHS England data today showed that an average of 63,000 staff were off work every day in the week to Christmas (red line). Around 8,000 of the absences were due to Covid (blue line)
The number of people infected with Covid taking up beds in wards across England soared above 8,600 on December 21, the latest data available shows. The figure jumped 29 per cent in a week
Absolutely NOT..! cornford, EXMOUTH, United Kingdom
No, they are a complete waste of time. Stop being sheep andy, newcastle, United Kingdom
