Woman thrown out of Sainsbury's for not wearing a mask.

[Viviennemary]

When asked why she wasn't wearing one she told the police they were not allowed to challenge her or ask about her disability. (wrong apparently). She said she'd be taking them to court. Police have criticised ministers for giving conflicting advice. I think it's time this was cleared up. It's far too vague. So seems like people do need some proof of the reasons they can't wear a mask.

[Worldgonecrazy]

I think that plenty of people are actually stupid enough to believe that a bit of cloth will make a significant difference.

the response to your post illustrates your point most perfectly

I think we do ourselves a great disservice by not remembering that, yes, people really are that stupid! But it gives them a comfort blanket and someone to blame.

You are right in that it is the same fear driven behaviours seen during the witch trials.

[DeeCeeCherry]

I think that plenty of people are actually stupid enough to believe that a bit of cloth will make a significant difference

I am no covid denier and I am very much for the collective good but I will not accept that facemasks are a valuable tool until I am provided real evidence to suggest so

They encourage a false sense of personal security whilst creating a perfect warm and moist environment for pathogens to grow

free to take my child to the shops and for them to see my face whilst doing so, a small and important liberty in my opinion

Those who've put those comments up can simply say they're exempt and walk into store, rather than give their real reason for not wearing masks as they know they'll then be denied entry...

[Pundemmic]

If the rules are to wear masks, why not just wear them? There are smaller shops that low key allow people without masks in. I have never understood why people feel that this is the one issue they have to make a stand on?

[BohemianDream]

Deeceecherry misses the point completely.

Pundemmic expects people to blindly follow rules without question. And no this isn't the only issue I intend on making a stand on.

That is not the society that I want my children to grow up in.

[Paapa]

Those who've put those comments up can simply say they're exempt and walk into store, rather than give their real reason for not wearing masks as they know they'll then be denied entry...

Has it occurred to you, that those reasons are also very good ones?
If you feel that a very harmful cultural norm is being enforced without good reason, it's your duty to resist. I most people just don't understand this - because either they're in the stupid camp who think that the mask mandate is a proportionate and effective measure, or because they just don't find wearing a mask difficult or a huge imposition, and cannot empathise with those who do (doubly the case if they're the stupid type who believes that masks do much).

People would have to have it put into a context where they would be distressed physically, mentally or ethically, to really understand what's going on.

Let's say that the next thing they mandate is shaved heads for everyone, because the virus can cling to hair and then be wafted onto others. I'm pretty sure that if the right person in authority said it (but even admitted that there was scant evidence), and there was enough social pressure to do it and fines for none compliance, that a large number of people would go for this, shave their heads and call others selfish for not doing so ' It's only hair! People are dying! STOP BEING SO VAIN!'. Many more would see this as a huge personal affront, and protest it - as they rightly should.

Or, say the government mandated a drill run for everyone, once a day, unless exempt. They're organised locally and attendance registers are taken. How many of you would be ok with that one....?
(Funnily enough, enforced fitness programs would probably make way more difference to the death rates than mask mandates, since obesity is a main co-morbidity).

[lockdownshmockdown]

I haven't worn a mask the entire time. Since March onwards. Not once. No one has bothered me about it. I carry on as normal and no one seems to care. Twice since March I have been asked going into a shop if I have a mask. I have replied "no I don't need one" and that's been the end of it. I have never lied and said I'm exempt. I politely say "no thank you I don't need one" and carry on with my day.

Masks are not effective and I won't play performance politics by wearing one. I think they do far more harm than good. That doesn't mean I don't wash my hands and keep away from people etc. etc.

[mrandmrslobster]

And for those slavering at shops denying entry, I can guarantee this doesn't happen. I have been to both Sainsbury's and Morrison's and it's fine. If anyone is being escorted from the premises it's because they're acting like a pillock to staff.

[DeeCeeCherry]

Deeceecherry misses the point completely

Well not really. They weren't my comments. You said it yourselves.

Just highlights that people with disabilities/vulnerable/truly can't wear a mask don't necessarily make up the bulk of people who don't wear a face-coverings.

[Whythesadface]

Mask do work if you wear one.
I feel very sad for people who feel so entitled that they won't wear a mask, and there are many reports of them dying.

[Paapa]

Mask do work if you wear one.

There is just no good evidence of this!
Decades of studies prior to 2020 said that they're pretty much no good. Viruses are tiny. So small people just can't comprehend it. Think at how bad the average person is at understanding science, and then remember that a significant number of people are worse than average.

Sadly, masking is just something that 'makes sense' to the lay person. 'It comes out of the nose and mouth, right? Therefore covering them up = massively helpful and good'.
Never mind that they've not worked anywhere (and don't 'but Japan' at me - Tokyo has now declared a state of emergency and cultural mask practices have never had an impact on flu transmission). It still just makes sense to people that they MUST 'do something'.

The government understands this, and needed people to be less scared, so they mandated them. It's like giving Dumbo his magic feather, except way more sinister.
I can't tell you how depressing it is to have to witness how many people truly believe that mask mandates are a good idea. You're showing yourselves up.

[trulydelicious]

@lockdownshmockdown

I haven't worn a mask the entire time. Since March onwards. Not once

People like you are the real reason why those who truly can't wear a mask find life so difficult at the moment. You should be ashamed, not boast about it.

I hope rules become tougher to ensure compliance, no silly loopholes

[lockdownshmockdown]

[quote trulydelicious]@lockdownshmockdown

I haven't worn a mask the entire time. Since March onwards. Not once

People like you are the real reason why those who truly can't wear a mask find life so difficult at the moment. You should be ashamed, not boast about it.

I hope rules become tougher to ensure compliance, no silly loopholes[/quote]
I'm not boasting. I'm stating a fact. I choose based on research not to wear a mask as I think they do more harm than good. I also make more of an effort to stay clean and keep distance from people because I think this does make a difference.

Mumsnet is a hub of hysteria. Since March not one person has confronted me or bothered me and, to the contrary, strangers have chatted with me in supermarkets quite happily. On Mumsnet the general consensus is you'd rather see someone wear a grotty old mask they pull out of their bag or pocket whenever they enter a shop than not wear one at all and follow other guidelines.

Hopefully "people like you" will calm down eventually.

[lockdownshmockdown]

@Paapa

Mask do work if you wear one.

There is just no good evidence of this!
Decades of studies prior to 2020 said that they're pretty much no good. Viruses are tiny. So small people just can't comprehend it. Think at how bad the average person is at understanding science, and then remember that a significant number of people are worse than average.

Sadly, masking is just something that 'makes sense' to the lay person. 'It comes out of the nose and mouth, right? Therefore covering them up = massively helpful and good'.
Never mind that they've not worked anywhere (and don't 'but Japan' at me - Tokyo has now declared a state of emergency and cultural mask practices have never had an impact on flu transmission). It still just makes sense to people that they MUST 'do something'.

The government understands this, and needed people to be less scared, so they mandated them. It's like giving Dumbo his magic feather, except way more sinister.
I can't tell you how depressing it is to have to witness how many people truly believe that mask mandates are a good idea. You're showing yourselves up.

This is a fantastic post. Thank Christ some people get it.

There is a middle ground between COVID denying conspiracy theorist and the sort of folk who mask up in the middle of nowhere, shower when they get in the door, boil wash their clothes immediately, and bleach their shopping.

Masks are performative and I refuse to dance. So many people have spoken to me saying they don't agree with masks but are scared not to wear them. Not for fear of the virus but for fear of being judged or punished. Well, some of us have to show that it's ok to say no to it. We all have our boundaries and this is one of mine.

Mumsnet certainly doesn't reflect the real world on my experience.

[Paapa]

@lockdownshmockdown
It's just all so dispiriting, isn't it

Hancock was quoted at the start of the mandate saying that it was just 'to give shoppers confidence' - or 'to placate the idiots' as I prefer to phrase it. As a PP posted, it literally said on the government pages that the evidence was weak and the effects likely to be small - right above where they listed the fines for non-compliance.
Yet still so many people don't realise that all the mask mandate does is cater their stupidity, fear and ignorance!

I bet the government didn't quite anticipate how much the idiot masses would go in for it though. Sadly, I could have told them that.
The unintended consequences are far worse than most of these horrid believer/enforcers could ever comprehend.