I spent the weekend in Cologne, in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Obviously travelling now you observe differences between how different places are approaching the pandemic 1/

First off - no border checks between the Netherlands and Germany as you'd expect. It was a sunny enough weekend in Cologne: here's how masks are being used...

(It seems that if you go to certain countries you get a window into the future for others). So on masks..

1. Everyone *has* a mask, even if they're not wearing one.

2. If you want to enter a bar or restaurant (indoors) you *must* wear one. If you try to enter without one you will be told to put one on, or leave. And this is every single place

I got some food sitting outside - tables were normal distanced and you were not required to wear masks outdoors.

If you wanted to go to the toilets inside? Put on your mask. Everyone complies, without fuss.

Every place had some kind of form (electronic or paper) - taking your name, phone number, the date etc and your seat number (or the staff would fill it in).

Here's how the pubs worked indoors: normal enough.

Lots more screens and tables a bit further apart. You arrive at the door with your mask on, you're taken to your seat. You order from the table. You can take your mask off once you share the same table...

When you go to leave the table to go to the loo - put your mask back on. Everyone, from young to old, just got on with it and complied. No messing.

All bar staff wear masks, all the time.

You get used to it very quickly - it's no hassle, and everyone is happy enough. A variety of cloth masks or single use. Younger people seemed to have more fashionable masks that matched their outfits.

Toilets had extra notices around hand washing - including duration for washing. Everyone in the toilets has masks fully on.

Having a mask at all times is - not a big deal. And requiring wearing it indoors isn't either.

Meanwhile in the Netherlands - masks are a lesser feature, except required on public transport. In bars (opened 3 weeks ago), it's a similar regime of table distancing indoors and contact details taken (but variably), and lesser (or no) focus on masks for patrons.

Here's a type of contact form you're handed if just going for a pint. No food requirement.

Meanwhile you can turn on social media and watch people lose their minds over having to wear them in the US (albeit in certain parts more than others and it seems out of politics more than anything?). It's... quite a contrast.

So: wear a mask. It's an expression of solidarity and care for everyone around you, strangers or not.