JohnL and riddles, exactly! Just in case its unclear (since the government has failed miserably in articulating this message) MASKS PROTECT OTHERS FROM YOU! So if you wear a mask in a shop, you are showing other people around you respect for their safety and doing a huge public service by not inadvertently spreading the virus. It goes both ways, shoppers should wear them for the workers, and workers should wear them for the shoppers. I am 100% behind a petition to get EVERYONE to wear masks where social distancing is not possible but this is not a new idea. This has already been raised but seems to have lost steam, aside from the requirement on public transport: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/304397 The reason I feel it would be beneficial to get local shop owners/workers on board is that I believe some people will be more inclined to wear a mask in shops if they see this as the norm with local shop workers. I wear a mask in shops to protect these people, and I started wearing one early on because I saw shop workers wearing them. I think the more we see it as the norm, the more people will continue to take it seriously. Added to this, I have stopped shopping at one ED business because I felt extremely uncomfortable with the staff of 6 or 7 cuddling up shoulder to shoulder for a team photo op (within view of shoppers waiting outside) just before opening for a busy line of shoppers...the same establishment has half the staff wearing masks and the other half does not, hence should one unmasked worker become sick they may inadvertently infect a whole load of staff and shoppers. I don't think its a difficult decision, look at the rest of the world they are requiring masks for good reason, to keep each other safe!