To mask or not to mask

[coffeewithmilk]

This thread might have some divided opinions

I have been wearing a face covering whenever I go into a shop or enclosed space where I cannot social distance - for example: went to IKEA this morning and put my mask on. I'm really shocked at the amount of people not wearing one.
I would have thought with everything that has happened the last few months that people would be inclined to wear a mask, but it's almost like nothing has happened... and feel like I even get some strange looks when I am wearing one.

Just for context: I'm not in the UK. Currently in ROI.

Do people think they are superior and won't catch anything so they don't bother putting one on?

AIBU with this?

@BeeBeep

Because we are in a global pandemic, sock. If it is that bad then have a delivery, someone else to get your shopping, or whatever- as the shielded have had to do. Other countries manage it okay, why are we so special?

None of that means people should be shamed into sharing their private medical history with random people in the street.

Wear a mask if you can, but don't take it upon yourself to mutter about those who can't under your breath. Why not just be a decent person and assume they'd be wearing one if they could?

Of course some people will take the piss but it's massively unfair to assume that everyone will fall under that category and to treat them that way is wrong.

But the rates of infection are so low. About 50 people a week are catching it in Scotland. At least half are in care homes. The chances of me getting it now, or having it now and not knowing are incredibly slim. Far slimmer than they were in March when everyone was cramming into Tesco and fighting over loo roll.

The key message of keeping your distance is being ignored by many mask wearers. Just avoid being in confined spaces - like an office or a lift - with other people. That's a far better measure than a mask.

Wear a mask if you can, but don't take it upon yourself to mutter about those who can't under your breath. Why not just be a decent person and assume they'd be wearing one if they could?

I have never said I would, I can't control the actions of others unfortunately and if people do pass judgment when they see people out then they shouldn't. But there are always reems of excuses not to wear them, oh well no one may as well bother because some people can't. It's pathetic, what do they do elsewhere?

@SockYarn

But the rates of infection are so low. About 50 people a week are catching it in Scotland. At least half are in care homes. The chances of me getting it now, or having it now and not knowing are incredibly slim. Far slimmer than they were in March when everyone was cramming into Tesco and fighting over loo roll.

The key message of keeping your distance is being ignored by many mask wearers. Just avoid being in confined spaces - like an office or a lift - with other people. That's a far better measure than a mask.

I couldn’t agree more. Infection rates are down, along with hospital admissions and deaths - and this is the point where the government starts making noises about making mask wearing mandatory. Four months too late.

Because our government constantly dithers it gives people scope to think about it too much

No one likes wearing a mask, their will be a few exceptions but once it’s compulsory the vast majority will be wearing a mask

We had the same I won’t follow lock down guidelines because of x,y and z and guess what the overwhelming majority of people did

Like others have posted other countries are managing this with strict relies over wearing masks and its working

Yes it should have been mandatory months ago, but now things are reopening, especially indoor places when before they were closed, it makes sense.

If you don't want to run washing machine, you can boil them as long as they are cotton.

I just wash them with the next load of anything, or by hand, and then hang them on the line. Same principle as handwashing. I don’t think the elastic would stand boiling anyway.

Agree it should have been mandatory months ago

But it can be from this week and should be to at least help slow down the infection rate

The infection rate’s already slowed. If masks weren’t needed in April, they’re not needed now.

They were needed in April

In April only essential shops were open

If they were mandatory in April in shops and on public transport the infection rate will no doubt be lower

As it has been in other countries where the lockdown was sooner, stricter and mask/face covering mandatory in most public spaces

@WiseUpJanetWeiss

If you don't want to run washing machine, you can boil them as long as they are cotton.

I just wash them with the next load of anything, or by hand, and then hang them on the line. Same principle as handwashing. I don’t think the elastic would stand boiling anyway.

Probably wouldn't. We have 100% cotton, including strings so we can just pop it into the pot.

I wear one but most people don't. I can't understand how people can't understand it's such a simple thing to do and protects others, which indirectly protects you.

@EnthusiasmIsDisturbed

They were needed in April

In April only essential shops were open

If they were mandatory in April in shops and on public transport the infection rate will no doubt be lower

As it has been in other countries where the lockdown was sooner, stricter and mask/face covering mandatory in most public spaces

Absolutely.

But the rates of infection are so low. About 50 people a week are catching it in Scotland.

Famous last words.

It didn't seem like much at the beginning, did it? I remember the discussions about how unlikely it was for people to catch it.
Until the numbers doubled up every 3 days or so, to hundreds and thousands.

It's not different now. Every country is still at risk of exponential growth if people don't take preventative measures.
If the economy is to reopen we need additional measures to social distancing and hand washing.

The infection rates were very low at the beginning of March and well we know what’s happened

The infection rate’s already slowed. If masks weren’t needed in April, they’re not needed now.

They probably should have been used in April.

But we were in full lockdown in April. Not now. So quite different as many more out and about.

People don't seem to grasp basic science, astounding really.

I am in Portugal, very, very low figures. Here masks are mandatory, you have to wear them in all shops and when entering restaurants, even if sitting outside as most are. If you need to go to the toilet mask is back on as you walk past people to go to the toilet. Hairdressers or anything similar mask on. Perhaps this is why infection rates are so low here? I honestly think it’s the way to go until there’s a vaccine.

'And no I am not Nicola, I don’t particularly like her and can’t abide the SNP but given how low our cases and deaths are now she’s doing a half decent job'

Why do you think this? Death rates per million are sadly not much different to England's, Scotland's care home death rates have been double England's. Scotland's testing has been abysmal yet all Nicola does is her wobbly head, furious blaming Boris thing. Constantly. Despite all the furloughing, despite all the support that she never gives any credit for.

Infection spikes now are seen in diverse, densely populated areas. I would suggest it is very easy to keep rates down in a country with a population of 5m, than England with 56m.

www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scotland-coronavirus-death-rate-third-worst-world-2880962

It is isn’t it? Don’t use masks when the infection is blazing, make them mandatory when it’s dying away. Complete lack of understanding of basic science right there.

'They must be disgusting germ traps those masks. Probably doing more harm than good'

That's kind of the point. They trap the germs, you then throw them away or wash them.

People from other countries who have much much lower rates of infection ( and after all we are doing great at death rates! ) and use mask wearing as one of the ways of controlling infection rates must look at the UK and think WTF🤷‍♀️

Many of those people have popped up on these threads.

It is ultimately about controlling infection and DEATH rates. Actual deaths of people who would not have died as soon as they have.

'it is isn’t it? Don’t use masks when the infection is blazing, make them mandatory when it’s dying away.'

Because it was widespread! It is now under control so it is to keep it under control.

It is isn’t it? Don’t use masks when the infection is blazing, make them mandatory when it’s dying away.

But not a reason to not use them now.

Our situation now is DIFFERENT to earlier in the year. We are coming out of lockdown.

'They must be disgusting germ traps those masks. Probably doing more harm than good'

This is the actual point of them.

Then you wash them.