..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!

Track and Trace won't work because too many people refuse to give their details. It was meant to be in place before any restrictions were lifted anyway, so any app that comes into force now is next to pointless.

I am hoping it will fail so we can help curb the power of the state. I would rather increase my risk of death. Also if you have cv19 you can tell your friends. You don't need a call centre operative at tax payer expense to do so.

I am hoping it will fail so we can help curb the power of the state. I would rather increase my risk of death.

Seriously? Unfortunately, it'll be someone else who dies.

I went to give blood and while they asked people to wear masks said they would understand if people didn't want to

I was surprised they're we're several without masks

I was also confused this week re 'mandatory' wearing of face coverings on public transport when I got the bus home from work. There were about 6 other people on the bus including the driver and I was the only person wearing a face covering. I wondered if the policy was meant to include the driver or whether it is their choice, as some drivers have been wearing masks since the beginning of covid times. TBF, I never expected the drivers to enforce this even though the government announcement says people won't be allowed to travel without one unless they are medically exempt, because the bus drivers get enough abuse from trying to enforce that passengers have to pay to use the bus and shouldn't smoke on the bus.

@Oldraver

I went to give blood and while they asked people to wear masks said they would understand if people didn't want to

I was surprised they're we're several without masks

Why, perhaps they have personal issues that preclude wearing them that they don't want to advertise ? Some people even on here have expressed that they are victims of rape involving being subdued by having their face covered and wearing masks triggers their PTSD.

@vanillandhoney

Track and Trace won't work because too many people refuse to give their details. It was meant to be in place before any restrictions were lifted anyway, so any app that comes into force now is next to pointless.

I don't have a mobile phone or a landline.

Medical conditions accepted but everyone should follow the mandatory wearing of a face covering on public transport- it’s to protect others not just you. Fine people who don’t.

The reason why other countries have been more successful at controlling the spread of Covid is due to extensive and through track and test - the UK should be concentrating on this. The government’s handling of this is appalling.

It is not just an exception for medical conditions. There are exceptions to eat and drink and also if it causes you extreme distress.

@Xenia

It is not just an exception for medical conditions. There are exceptions to eat and drink and also if it causes you extreme distress.

So not "mandatory" at all, if you can just say you've got one of the get out clauses when challenged.

@Xenia

It is not just an exception for medical conditions. There are exceptions to eat and drink and also if it causes you extreme distress.

And the mask looses its efficacy if you lower it and touch it continually, you're supposed to bin it (or throw it in a 60 degree wash) and get another, because fuck the environment and climate change, Covid is King.

So not "mandatory" at all, if you can just say you've got one of the get out clauses when challenged.

Lovely, we're down to 'challenging' people to reveal their personal medical conditions, disabilities and past traumatic experiences to total strangers who can't mind their own business and keep their traps shut .

Most people aren’t doing long journeys yet so won’t need to eat or drink on a short trip. Don’t remove or touch the face covering as it looses its effectiveness. Why can’t people follow simple instructions for only be a short period of time. If people ignore or abuse the regulations, we’ll be stuck in this way of life for longer. I had to go into the office yesterday, went by Tube, wore a mask, not complicated.

@DisobedientHamster

So not "mandatory" at all, if you can just say you've got one of the get out clauses when challenged.

Lovely, we're down to 'challenging' people to reveal their personal medical conditions, disabilities and past traumatic experiences to total strangers who can't mind their own business and keep their traps shut .

I meant if you're challenged by a bus driver as to why you're not wearing a mask If they're not allowed to ask (I daren't use the word challenged again...) then it's up to the individual whether to comply or not and therefore it's not mandatory, which was the only point I was making. Keep your wig on, I'm not remotely interested in your private business.

My ds travelled on a train on Thursday and said absolutely everyone wore a face covering. They were even hanging out free masks on the platform. I heard that children under 11 and people with breathing difficulties were exempt. You would have to add that people unable to wear a mask due to a disability. Wouldn't think it was the best idea though for a person with breathing difficulties to travel on a bus atm with no protection.

@DomDoesWotHeWants

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 have to use public transport to get to regular medical appointments since my clinic re-opened 3 weeks ago. I also have a condition that means I cannot wear a face covering. Are you suggesting I shouldn’t be able to access medical care?

The real issue is there is no way of knowing if someone is genuinely exempt or not. I asked both the train company and TFL staff how this would be managed and no-one had an answer so I got a letter from my doctor and a travel assistance card.

Suggesting people with medical conditions and disabilities should be banned from public transport is disgraceful.

By mid May 42 transport for London employees had already died of the virus. That’s one high risk job.

My teen sons got autism hes still wearing a mask. I told him to and hes not complained, though he's never had to wear one for that long.

@ToBBQorNotToBBQ

My teen sons got autism hes still wearing a mask. I told him to and hes not complained, though he's never had to wear one for that long.

Good for him. My son also has autism and is fine wearing masks, that doesn't mean all people with autism are.

Why Masks Work - How Well Do Masks Work? Schlieren Imaging in Slow Motion:

See the science and choose accordingly!

It's just another example of how badly the UK is handling covid-19.
Why isn't something organised to provide exemption certificates from your doctor? Why should it be the bus driver's job to challenge people? And why are some people so determined their civil liberties are being undermined by wearing a mask for the protection of yourself and others? There's a lot worse civil liberties we are on the brink of losing that people don't seem to be bothered about.

People who may need to eat or drink during a journey, for example people with diabetes, are allowed to remove their mask to do so. They're not automatically exempt from wearing a mask at all I believe, although they may of course have another condition which means they are exempt.

I'm 32 weeks pregnant and have no alternative but to travel on the bus to and from work. I am relying on everyone that can to wear a mask to help to protect me.
The amount of people wearing them on chins or foreheads is unbelievable. I got on 9 buses last week (work and hospital appointments) in up to 32 degree heat and wore my mask on every single one of those journeys, very hot and uncomfortable for me but necessary in my opinion.

People who may need to eat or drink during a journey, for example people with diabetes, are allowed to remove their mask to do so.

I thought anyone (no medical condition, just a bit peckish etc) was allowed to remove their mask to eat or drink?

@Meredithgrey1

People who may need to eat or drink during a journey, for example people with diabetes, are allowed to remove their mask to do so.

I thought anyone (no medical condition, just a bit peckish etc) was allowed to remove their mask to eat or drink?

Maybe they are, eating, drinking and taking medication tends to be listed in the 'who doesn't need to wear a mask' section of guidance so I interpreted it as only applying to people who need to eat or drink for a specific medical need, for example to take medication which needs to be taken with food.

I suppose most people wouldn't need to eat or drink on a short journey, but would be a bit harsh not to allow someone without a medical need not to eat or drink on a journey from say Truro to Newcastle I suppose!