9. Welsh Conservatives Debate: COVID-19 Prevention Measures

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:38 pm on 16 September 2020.

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Photo of Mandy Jones Mandy Jones UKIP 5:38, 16 September 2020

Diolch, Llywydd—Deputy Llywydd, sorry. I'd like to thank—well, I think I'd like to thank—the Conservative group for tabling this debate, and for the opportunity to speak. I will keep it short. I say 'I think' because, finally, any pretence at the Conservative Party being the party of personal responsibility and pro business has been stripped away. I've watched with dismay over the summer as they heralded their petition to call for compulsory masks, so, clearly, they support the mask shaming that is now a thing, the potential for the loss of inhibition as people think that they are invincible if they are wearing a mask, the increase in skin conditions due to mask wearing and the potential for respiratory issues due to breathing your own stale air. To them, and the Welsh Government, I ask: if our own chief medical officer thought that the evidence for mandatory mask wearing was weak and that hand hygiene was more important, when did the science or that evidence change? When was that exact moment, and where is the evidence?

Two other points: I saw an epic mask fail over the weekend when a very, very senior politician removed his mask to cough into his hand and then put it back on again. So, will the Welsh Government please commit to a public information drive to show people what they should be doing? Lastly, I'm informed that it came as a surprise to the hospitality industry on Monday that masks were not actually required. So, as a matter of basic courtesy, can the Welsh Government please make sure that businesses are aware of changed requirements in good time?

I take no issue with any other elements of the motion today, but I do express my concern that people on flights, as has been said before, into Cardiff Airport, have never been tested or checked in any way, especially since that airport is, obviously, owned by Welsh Government. Thank you.