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Carol McGiffin avoids wearing face masks as she finds them 'invasive and uncomfortable'

Carol McGiffin has said she will avoid wearing a face mask unless she “has to” because she finds them “invasive”.

Face coverings are currently mandatory while travelling on public transport in England as well as for all NHS hospital staff and visitors. The World Health Organization stated last month that face masks should be worn in public where social distancing is not possible in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

The Loose Women panellist aired her view on the ITV show on Thursday, she said via video call: "I know it's not a choice in a lot of situations. I will go out of my way to not wear one because I think they're invasive and uncomfortable."

Read more: Carol McGiffin struggling with mental health in lockdown

McGiffin, 60, added she had "theories" on mask wearing and the virus itself but did not elaborate.

Carol McGiffin attends The Best Heroes Awards 2019 at The Bloomsbury Hotel on October 15, 2019 in London, England.  (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Carol McGiffin said she finds face masks 'invasive'. (Getty Images)

She went on: "Sometimes these things happen and everybody gets used to it and it just happens forever. It's like where does it end? When do you stop wearing a mask?

"As I've said before the virus isn't going away and it's not gone anywhere and there's not going to be a vaccine for a hell of a long time so when do we stop wearing those masks or do we always have to walk around with our faces covered? I find it a real invasion of my space."

Co-star Kelle Bryan asked her colleague: "Is it more uncomfortable than not being able to breathe or being in intensive care?"

Carol McGiffin won't wear a face mask unless it is mandatory. (ITV)
Carol McGiffin won't wear a face mask unless it is mandatory. (ITV)

McGiffin said it was wrong to assume "everyone is dangerous" before adding that she would wear a mask if not sporting one in public came with a fine.

"People saying it's the least you can do it's not about that, it's about much, much more than that and accusing me of being a selfish murderer more or less for not wanting to wear one.

“It's got out of hand," she went on.

Several US celebrities have urged their followers to wear masks including Jennifer Aniston and Tom Hanks, who was diagnosed with, and subsequently recovered from, the coronavirus earlier this year.