187: Boris Johnson makes masks mandatory in shops. @josephsternberg, @WSJOpinion
Image: Westminster Abbey (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_Abbey) , as seen in this painting (by Canaletto (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canaletto) , 1749), is a World Heritage Site (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Site) and one of London's oldest and most important buildings. Joseph Sternberg, WSJ political/economics columnist for the editorial page, in re: Wearing a face covering will be mandatory in all shops and supermarkets in England from July 24, as the London government falls in line with Scotland, Germany, Spain, Italy and Greece. Matt Hancock, the health secretary, will on Tuesday announce that those who fail to cover their faces in shops will face a fine of up to £100 — in line with rules brought in on public transport in mid-June. “There is growing evidence that wearing a face covering in an enclosed space helps protect individuals and those around them from coronavirus,” said a Number 10 spokesperson. https://www.ft.com/content/01f852a6-2c11-4d20-9f92-de359b417700 Life in London in summertime. Mandatory to wear face coverings in shops as of 24 July. Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, announces a fine of £100. Initially, masks were said to be of no use; now they’re mandatory. Conflicting reports are unsettling. Bastille Day: generally positive feelings beteeen England and France, especially concerning tourism.