Generous Donation of Face Coverings for the Linlithgow Community
Face coverings look set to be around for the foreseeable future. Using a reusable face covering has a number of advantages:
- You can buy or make the covering using a comfortable material
- The covering can be easily washed and used again. This might help you save money, especially if you need to regularly wear one.
- They are more sustainable and better for the environment.
There is no additional benefit in using a disposable covering versus a washed and clean reusable cloth one.
Evidence from the UCL Plastic Innovation Hub has shown that if every person in the UK used one single-use mask each day for a year, it would create 66,000 tonnes of contaminated plastic waste. This would create ten times more climate change impact than using reusable masks.
If you haven’t tried a reusable fabric face covering yet, then here is your chance!
LCDT has received an extremely generous donation of double-layered fabric masks (with a pocket for a filter) from Marjorie Goldie. She has been very busy working away to produce over well over 100 masks for children, youths, and adults. We have shared some with Linlithgow Young People’s Project but there are many still available. If you would like one for you and your family please contact pamela@trust-linlithgow.org.uk.
We are very lucky to have had an amazing community of mask makers in the town who have made masks for family, friends and many local organisations. Thank you to each and every one of you who have supported this community effort.
If you are interested in making masks but aren’t quite sure where to start there is a Facebook group – Linlithgow Mask Makers – with a friendly community of mask makers who will be able to offer some advice.
People must by law now wear a face covering in shops, on public transport and public transport premises such as railway and bus stations and airports, and in certain other indoor public places such as shops, libraries and places of worship.
There is no evidence to suggest there might be a benefit outdoors from wearing a face covering unless in a crowded situation.
Some people are not required to wear a face covering. These include babies, toddlers and children under 5 years of age, and people with certain health conditions or if you are disabled.
Full details of where face coverings are required, and exemptions, can be found on the Scottish Government website. There is lots of helpful information and guidance about wearing masks on the World Health Organisation website.