So young folk have tested positive, chances are they didn't have a vaccine, but have any been hospitalised Omah? If the answer is no, why don't we allow them to build natural immunity? It will last far longer, be more efficient with other variants than the immunity from the vaccines, won't need topping up every few months and it's natural....

Boris Johnson has signed off on plans to end the compulsory wearing of face masks from July 19, The Telegraph understands, as the Prime Minister prepares to declare this week that the link between Covid-19 infections and hospitalisations has finally been broken.

Mr Johnson is expected to lay out a blueprint for how England will live with the virus, as ministers prepare to replace swathes of legal restrictions with a call for “common sense” and “personal responsibility”.

As part of the move, the Government is expected to ditch the compulsory wearing of masks, along with the one-metre-plus rule that pubs and restaurants have warned is crippling them.

The legal requirement for customers to sign in at bars, restaurants and other venues using QR codes or by handing over contact details is also due to be dropped.

Currently, there is a legal requirement for people to wear face coverings on public transport and in shops. That is expected to be dropped in favour of guidance suggesting the use of face coverings in enclosed spaces.

Well, as is being discussed on another thread about whether masks are being ditched or not, I shall continue to wear mine, and if anyone comments about it, I can make faces at them with impunity!

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said there was a compelling argument that easing Covid restrictions was needed for the country's health.

Mr Javid said: "The economic arguments for opening up are well known, but for me, the health arguments are equally compelling. Rules that we have had to put in place have caused a shocking rise in domestic violence and a terrible impact on so many people's mental health," he added. We also need to be clear that cases are going to rise significantly*. I know many people will be cautious about the easing of restrictions - that's completely understandable. But no date we choose will ever come without risk, so we have to take a broad and balanced view. We are going to have to learn to accept the existence of Covid and find ways to cope with it - just as we already do with flu.

Mr Javid warned the backlog facing the NHS would get "far worse before it gets better", as millions of people had avoided coming forward for healthcare during the pandemic. "We protected the NHS to make sure it was there for everyone who needed care. The steps we took saved countless lives but also led to the build-up of a vast 'elective' backlog - checks, appointments and treatments for all the less urgent, but often just as important, health issues."