Good Morning Britain viewers said Susanna Reid’s face was a picture as co-host Richard Madeley gave his latest ‘scientific’ experiment results into the wearing of face masks in supermarkets. The ITV breakfast show was today (Jan 4) discussing the crisis hitting the NHS with A&E in turmoil and thousands of patients in hospital suffering from flu and Covid-19.
Health experts have suggested that people might want to start wearing facemasks again as those illnesses are mainly transmitted through the air. It comes after a government minister suggested it was ‘sensible’ to wear masks while travelling.
During the news roundup, Susanna was introducing the section and then had a frequently-seen look on her face as co-host Richard gave viewers the benefits of his thoughts. He said: “This isn’t scientific, and it doesn’t relate to maths directly. But I did a kind of a face count when I was out shopping yesterday, in my local supermarkets and I reckon about one in 25 people.
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"That was my average in two different supermarkets. About one in 25 are wearing a face mask permanently. But maybe it’s more than that where you are anyway.”
Viewers suggested that Susanna was looking a bit surprised at Richard’s journalism efforts. Viewer @Laird01554927 tweeted: “Susanna looks incredulous when Madeley has counted 50 people to see who are wearing face masks.”
@Dan_Cymru was laughing at his co-host’s expression: “Susanna’s face! [laughing emoji] #GMB.” Duke of Preston said: “Here’s an idea, if someone is wearing a face mask why don’t we all just mind our own f***ing business! #GMB.”
Dan The After Henry Appreciation Society added: “One in twenty five!!! how’s that for specific?#gmb.” Ol’fashioned-comédie said: “Susanna, wearing a mask ought to be a personal decision, not a matter for democracy or public debate. I see more and more mask worn by the vulnerable. In the Far East some have been wearing masks since SARS.”
No 10 has stressed that it is “not compulsory” to wear a mask while ill after a Cabinet minister said it was “sensible” to do so if travelling. Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), issued advice on Monday saying adults should “wear a face covering” if they have to leave the house while feeling unwell.
Downing Street said the advice from health officials was “longstanding” but stressed it was “not mandatory”. Transport Secretary Mark Harper, when asked on LBC about whether he would follow such advice, said that “wearing a mask is very sensible if you are ill”.
No 10 was asked a similar question about whether Rishi Sunak would consider wearing a face covering while feeling under the weather. But the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said he had not put the question to Mr Sunak. “I imagine it is down to individual circumstances,” the spokesman told reporters.
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