..to expect people to wear a mask on the bus or have I misinterpreted 'mandatory'?

[RingPiece]

Got the bus home from work today. I was under the impression that face coverings were now mandatory but out of 13 people on the lower deck, only five were wearing a mask. Also, the bus was pretty crowded and whilst no one was sitting next to each other (unless they were traveling together), the people standing were very close together. I passed countless other buses, both single and double decker, and saw at least half of the passengers not wearing any form of face covering.

I thought it was compulsory. Whose responsibility is it to ensure this is happening? I know some people are exempt but surely there can't be that many. What does mandatory mean? Will this only be enforced by random infrequent checks such as ticket officers boarding? If so, this only happens once in a blue moon so what's the point?

Lots of questions there!

@TheUnquestionedAnswer

I thought masks had to be worn in shops too. Lots without today, and some people just had them over their mouths and not nose.

Sorry haven’t checked to see if anyone else has replied but it’s not mandatory to wear in shops here in the UK (I think it should be), only on public transport.

Bus company here is giving people 14 days grace, after which they'll be refusing travel to anyone who hasn't got a pass they are dishing out to folks who can prove they are exempt (or anyone who has a disabled bus pass)

Is there a list of exemptions?

I physically can't wear one due to a nerve issue with my face, so anything touching one side causes severe pain, just wondering if that's on the list, unlikely I guess.

My Doctors surgery is now enforcing face coverings for people attending, but fortunately they know my situation, so I don't have to wear one. I don't use public transport, but if they make it mandatory in other areas, it's going to be a problem.

@PhilCornwall1

Yes, here: inews.co.uk/news/uk/face-mask-exemptions-who-exempt-wearing-covering-uk-public-transport-england-travel-rules-coronavirus-446355

You would definitely be exempt.

Several bus drivers in London have died from Covid-19 😒

In S.Korea 70% of the population wore masks, alongside test, track and trace it was a big factor in their death rate of only around 300 per 50m population.

Do people really want to go through all this again?

I'm alright with the fine to be honest.

I'm not being muzzled like a dog when the virus is on its way out.

But .... you know, let's all have mass hysteria and panic.

I see Matt Hancock our health minister is quite happy to touch people so you know ... I'm not really bothered

@Helloitsmemargaret we fucked up the track and trade already and also haven't bothered to follow up any of the self quarantine from overseas travel. So I'd happily say the government don't give a shit anymore

I had to go to central London a few days ago on the train. When I got out in London, absolutely everyone was wearing a mask. When I got on (outer edge of Greater London), most were wearing masks but a significant minority were not. In particular I noticed that none of the staff at my home station were wearing masks.

Exactly @runbummyrun so at this point I'm taking my guidance from countries that have this under control.

On a side note. Family member has bought into the hysteria and fear, has been wearing a face mask.

She saw the doctor yesterday as suffering from pain in the back of throat. She has an infection, doctor explained he has seen a massive increase in bacterial throat infections due to wearing face masks.

Masks are not mandatory in shops!

I’m with you OP - on my central London bus most mornings the majority, but not all, are wearing masks. Those who weren’t were all male

It is the drivers job to enforce mask wearing. How much they do it is going to be up to the individual and it won’t be policed but I hope they’re supported in it. They have a tough job and in my area provide such a vital service.

For most (not all) wearing a mask is a simple way of helping to reduce contagion. Reduce not remove. Why can’t we get behind an “every little helps” / “do what you can where you can” approach?

I’d way rather we all got back to work and school with use of masks and hand washing and anything else which had minimal impact on our lives but might, collectively, make a big difference.

Why is everyone so against this? Just because you don’t like being told what to do? We’re you enjoying the virus that much you want it to keep going a bit longer?

While some people are exempt a lot of people seem to be coming up wit excuses. Suddenly developing issues.

As a nation we are a joke. Me me me complex is rife. It’s not a big ask in the scheme of things.

Everyone on a bus should be wearing one unless a genuine reason.

And I’m interested to read about autism, anxiety, asthma etc making mask wearing difficult or impossible. I will bear that in mind as didn’t know that would be the case.

Is wearing a visor acceptable instead of a mask?

I can't stand the bloody things on my face either. But I would still wear one if it meant saving lives. No one is willing to suffer anything for the greater good anymore are they?

It only halves the transmission rate provided the 50% required to wear them don't pretend they're in the exempted categories. Who's going to check?

it makes no difference how the 50% mask wearing is achieved - it halves the transmission rate.

PP said the British don't seem to like complying to rules? Nope, it's that very many of them seem to have lost a sense of solidarity and neighbourliness that you find in other countries such as South Korea, Germany etc. And FOMO, as in "well that person isn't wearing a mask so I'm not either" even if that other person is exempt.

(Sorry if anyone is getting abuse for not wearing a mask when they're exempt - frankly i think the rules about that haven't been publicised enough)

I can’t help but think that the percentage of Brits claiming they couldn’t possibly wear a mask due to “reasons” is far higher than the percentage of Singaporeans or South Koreans who make the same claim.

There are far too many exemptions.

Our local facebook forums is full of people claiming really good reasons for not wearing them which is so unfair on everyone else.

If you can't (won't) wear a mask don't use public transport. Or get a visor.

I agree that London bus drivers are totally different to any others I've come across. Most are humourless, grumpy, disinterested and avoid any form of eye contact. They are obviously so happy in their work (because of the daily dicks??) that they're not going to get involved in any discussion that will make their day even more crappy than it already is. I feel for those of you who, for medical reasons, won't be wearing a mask on the bus but for the rest of you - this isn't about you and your safety, it's about protecting others. But hey, you're special, right?

We've never had to wear masks before and death rates are falling. The rule doesn't make any sence.

Agree with @Brefugee and @Bluegrass

There was ONE person in Aldi yesterday wearing a mask. It was probably about 60% of customers at one point. And I’ve never seen a member of staff wearing a mask in any shop.

The public haven’t bought in to masks, and who can blame them? We’ve been told for weeks and weeks they aren’t important and they aren’t needed. The public aren’t going to get on board with wearing them now, with the virus on the way out and they being so unpleasant to wear.

@Victoria6386 - we’ve been in lockdown ... that’s why death rates have fallen.

We need to find ways to keep the infection and death rate down while releasing lockdown. Hence masks.

The public have been asked to stay home and not see families for weeks on end.

If we can reduce that situation with some mask wearing I think the public could get over the fact they find it a little “unpleasant”