To think shopworkers want customers to wear masks?

[bravefox]

Just that really. I wear a mask when I go into shops as I suspect shopworkers want customers to, but very few other people seem to bother/care. I know some people can't wear masks, but they majority certainly could. To me it's just a politeness thing.

YANBU: Shopworkers want customers to wear masks
YABU: Shopworkers don't care

I've already had the virus which has meant I've been complacent about wearing a mask unless specifically mandated (e.g. on public transport).

No, I work in retail and don't wear a mask, none of us do (we have been provided with them if we want to wear them, no one has even opened the box yet). Very few of our customers wear them and I was out shopping this morning and where I live (quite rural) very few people wear masks.

yes, it makes communication a bit harder. You aren't in a shop to chat. Go jabber elsewhere or use the phone.

Surely people taking about the hindering of communication mean whilst shopping? Interacting within the context of being out and about, not simply 'jabbering'

I think it's quite obvious and basic common sense that it's a lot easier for customers to wear a mask for a brief period getting some shopping then it is for someone working a long shift. Whether or not a staff member is wearing a mask has little relation to whether customers have a moral obligation to wear one. Droplets from speaking hang around in the air for over 5 minutes so saying that it's a momentary interaction at the till isn't too relevant either. Customers can wear them to protect staff and other customers. Whilst many staff may not be concerned for their health, many will be. It's polite and community minded to wear one and i'm sure a lot of retail workers would rather customers wore them.

I do think it depends on the type of shop, what your buying, how long you are there, the other forms of protection around. So I'm in a jewellers. We have large Perspex screens around us, and are seated 2m apart. I sterilise my hands before and after, and most customers do too. Everything is cleaned down and jewellery sterilised after, so in this kind of shop for security and for ease of communication, I think it's preferable for customers not to wear a mask. But in the supermarket where I'm in contact with lots of people and not able to social distance fully then I would wear a mask.

We will end up in lockdown again if people don't start wearing them soon. Here are the projections for UK deaths based on not wearing them (red line) and wearing them (green line) on the worldometer website. By the 1st november we will be back to where we were at the height of the first peak.
covid19.healthdata.org/united-kingdom

My partner works in retail and he finds it very uncomfortable to wear masks all through his shift. He can socially distance though and has a screen up.

I will say though, I am in an area where not many people seem to wear them, including people working on public transport.

I'm talking about those who cannot wear a mask because they have panic attacks or can't breathe. What are those people supposed to do for the next 12-18 months or however long we want everyone to wear a mask for?

That person's panic attack is for them to deal with - maybe get someone else to do their shopping like I've had to for 3 months. it doesn't entitle them to put other people at risk. As I said, I'm asthmatic but appreciate I have to wear one for the sake of everybody else.

Selfish not to.

Went to Apple store on Saturday.

Customers issued with masks if not wearing their own
Customers' temperature taken before entering store
Customers required to verbally answer health questionnaire before entering
Strict social distancing
All staff wearing masks

Felt safe. No one was bothered.

I've been wearing a mask throughout lockdown. They're proven to reduce spread so not sure what the issue is. Glad it'll be mandatory from Friday.

@Plaiceholder not every retail premises can afford those measures

I work in a shop and I honestly don't mind. I wear one when serving customers (shoes so not at a till) and it is mandatory to wear one when fitting kids. It was difficult at first but I've got used to it. I will take it off when in the stock room or when no customers are in the shop though.

The fact that England, and MN, is still debating this issue with so much indignation about the idea of doing something to protect others that is inconvenient to yourself is of a piece with the slow response overall in England.

It really reminds me of all the protests about wearing seat belts which now look so out of date. Other countries manage and have found masks as a policy do reduce infection. Fabric ones work well and are a a lot more comfortable (and better for the environment)!

Having lost loved ones to this disease, I’d do anything that might help to stop its spread, even slightly. I’ve stayed in lockdown—wearing a mask is a small price to pay for the freedom to go outside. Of course there are people who can’t wear them—but we can help protect them by wearing ours!

Having lost loved ones to this disease, I’d do anything that might help to stop its spread, even slightly. I’ve stayed in lockdown—wearing a mask is a small price to pay for the freedom to go outside. Of course there are people who can’t wear them—but we can help protect them by wearing ours!

If only everyone felt like you do.

I see there is talk today of making face coverings compulsory inside shops etc.

Dropped my daughter for her haircut yesterday. She went into a couple of shops for me including M&S foodhall. No staff were wearing masks. Hardly anyone in town was despite the majority being elderly.

If the government doesn’t role model best practice.......

It should have happened months ago.

Mine goes on before I enter, comes off after I leave. I would not be keen on wearing one were I to be in retail, and be happy to be behind a screen.

I work in retail and have a visor , I'm not getting any closer that I absolutely have to go customers but yes I appreciate the mask but I also hate the things and can't breathe in them so I get why you wouldn't want to wear one . I feel safer with my visor between me and them and I anti bac and wash my hands ALOT !

@thesedaysarescary you’d refuse to go to work?! Really?!! Would you still expect to be paid for the time you’re refusing to go?!!

I don't give a shit if someone wears one.
I haven't seen a customer wear one properly yet.
Fiddle, touch, wipe, pull, more touching, scratching

Just fuckin take it off

To all those saying - I can't wear them, I can't breathe, I have panic attacks etc

www.screwfix.com/p/gvs-dme2011-disposable-masks-p2-15-pack/475fr

These have valves so don't inhibit your breathing, steam up your glasses. There are many types of masks out there that are much better than the cloth ones.
There is literally no excuse for not wearing a mask and anyone who doesn't is just plain selfish.

If that's the case wouldn't they themselves be wearing masks? None are where I live...

There is literally no excuse for not wearing a mask and anyone who doesn't is just plain selfish.

There is a real lack of both understanding and empathy here. Can you not imagine for a single minute that actually some people can't manage?

I wear one at work all day, every day. I spray paint so have to wear a full respirator.
At first it was horrible and restrictive, but you do get used to it and there are many many types of mask with filters etc that do not inhibit breathing.
I agree that the cloth masks are horrible and I would not wear one of those unless I had no choice but the valved ones are fine.

Yes it feels weird at first.
Yes you do get used to it.
What irks me the most is people are not even willing to consider trying it, there's always some excuse.

@Englishrosegarden

To all those saying - I can't wear them, I can't breathe, I have panic attacks etc

www.screwfix.com/p/gvs-dme2011-disposable-masks-p2-15-pack/475fr

These have valves so don't inhibit your breathing, steam up your glasses. There are many types of masks out there that are much better than the cloth ones.
There is literally no excuse for not wearing a mask and anyone who doesn't is just plain selfish.

Please don't tell me you're going to wander around wearing that. I ain't wearing one

The valved ones look far worse to me. I'd personally rather try and get used to a cloth one. I don't go shopping so I'll only need one to walk from the office door to my desk, where I can take it off again until I need to leave my desk.