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?

Everyone should wear a mask correctly.

I don't believe they are effective and are likely to do more harm than good.

What a moronic attitude to have. The "my opinion is as valid as scientific fact." 🙄

Sheesh. Imagine to be so arrogant you think your opinion based on nothing more than what you like the sound of is worth the same as an actual professional conclusion borne from data and experienced knowledge that has an identifiable name and credentials attached to it.

I complete agree, @Cornettoninja. The coronavirus pandemic is another way in which the anti-intellectual, "opinion is as valid as fact" movement damages us all.

Well, I’ve just been to our local M&S foodhall. Everyone was social distancing, getting out of one another’s way, smiling and saying thank you. Except the mask wearing couple who barged round taking nobody else into account, the man actually brushed past one woman who had to tell him to get away from her.

Of course we’re wearing masks. Why on earth wouldn’t you want to protect yourself and others?

Not for me when you can adequately social distance, science behind mask wearing is flimsy and does not convince me. If the government want to issue us with N95 masks, fit tested and get everyone trained to use then properly then I will because there is proof for those.

I do wrap my silk scarf around on transport because its compulsory but it comes off the minute I leave the station.

Perhaps this is why infection rates are so low here

Well it certainly looks like the mask wearing debates have worked quite well for the Government. Now the rest of the world are assuming the high death rate here is all down to non mask wearing rather than allowing things like Cheltenham to go ahead and the shifting of the virus into care homes.

The Government know exactly what they are doing.

and get everyone trained to use then properly

Funny how other countries manage without training

The UK needs trained in how to not be selfish twats though.

I don't believe they are effective and are likely to do more harm than good.

How the fuck do you work that out?! They are scientifically proven to reduce transmission of the virus! Oh let me guess....everyone that wears one constantly fiddles with it...🙄

Except the mask wearing couple who barged round taking nobody else into account, the man actually brushed past one woman who had to tell him to get away from her.

I have seen this a fair bit. Most here seem to wear masks (maybe about 60/40 or so), but, in supermarkets and stuff those not wearing masks seem much better at social distancing, where the mask wearers appear to think the mask means they don't have to distance. I wonder which is more effective actually in stopping the spread. Social distancing, or mask wearing.

^Obviously 'not all people wearing masks'

Before the anger at me starts!

Covid has decimated disability rights...accessible toilets closed, seats removed from shopping centres, doctors/dentists etc making people wait outside with no seating if they even manage to get an appointment. People with hearing impairments struggling with other people wearing masks rather than visors. People with impaired vision unable to be socially distanced. Closure of respite care. The list goes on

THIS X a millon.

Other countries don't use N95 masks for the general public though? So they are not managing anything. General public are wearing face coverings not N95 masks in those countries I assume.

At work (ITU) we have to have tight seals to guarantee efficacy even with N95 masks.

I"m just not convinced re. the efficacy of face coverings. All I see on the tube now is people constantly touching their faces, fiddling with masks etc.

I dont know about other countries but Scotland it is law to wear a face covering in retail environments and public transport and public transport premises, airports bus stations etc.

It doesn't have to be a mask.

'Covid has decimated disability rights...accessible toilets closed, seats removed from shopping centres, doctors/dentists etc making people wait outside with no seating if they even manage to get an appointment. People with hearing impairments struggling with other people wearing masks rather than visors.'

I have a relative with a radar key and it still works. Granted many toilets in public places were closed but that was during lockdown, now shops and public places are open so too are all toilets including accessible toilets.

Our surgery has intercom access only but disabled people are certainly allowed inside to wait even in the height of lockdown. Anecdotal yes and I'm not saying it's representative of the whole of the UK but I don't think all local services haven't thought of disabled access.

Communication for Deaf will of course be more difficult, I have Deaf friends but tbh they are happy to accept it for the short term and they all wear masks when out and use BSL with each other as usual, if there's any need to try to communicate with a hearing person then it is dealt with in each situation. I do think Action On Hearing Loss and other Deaf charities should be running high profile social media campaigns to alert hearing people to be more aware. If you have a mask on and say excuse me to someone for example and they don't move then don't get stroppy, have some awareness that Deaf people don't know you're speaking if you have a face cover on.

news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-french-bus-driver-dies-after-attack-by-passengers-who-refused-to-wear-face-masks-12026401#sdc-site-footer

To all the non mask wearers excluding the very select excluded small group that are the shielded super vulnerable who are medically exempt as have other measures to put up with - mask diplomacy unmasked and gone horribly wrong on the other side of the English Channel.

Looks like it is true as wearing a mask will not be the ultimate life saver. Prayers and thoughts are with the key worker going about his day job trying to do the right thing to protect himself and his other fee paying mask wearing passengers.

Wear a mask unless you are that super special British entitled exceptionalism class - probably possibly the type that thinks all things are free and paid for by others like the "free" NHS and furlough money whist most upstanding intelligent respectful types are putting on a mask to try to get back to work and make Britain as great as it could possibly be given the complete economic Covid devastation. This is the time to do the right thing and not argue about mask discomfort or whether they work or not. If you are the type who feel disobedient and don't follow scientific guidance or rules then good luck if you do catch it and do insist on still not wearing a mask with your family and friends as they do work obviously.

Getting back to a new normal starts with the collective community spirit to do the right things and that naturally means taking all necessary Covid safety mitigation steps including a combination of new behaviours including wearing a damn mask. At least if nothing else it symbolically shows you care about yourself and those around you.

Anti-axxers, illegal drug taking, bomb disposal career and anti car safety seat belt and child safety seat types can now bash away and tell me I am a fool to suggest masks are a little help and better than nothing and that the rest of the developed world is so wrong with their mask culture.

Nice lecture.

why so snarky Alsohuman?

I always wear a mask in enclosed spaces like shops. I've been really shocked by how few people I see using them though.

I've just, in the last week or so, started wearing a mask inside shops (so far that's only been the supermarket and the garden centre!)

Due to my asthma, I would probably have a really hard time if I were to get it. So I want to do what I can to protect myself, whilst still living an ordinary life.

I suspect we will be moving in the direction of Scotland... Maybe not mandatory, but "advised".

Not for me when you can adequately social distance

Isn't that the guidance though, to wear them indoors when 2m isn't always possible?

I now always wear a mask in shops. Not in the UK though and not everyone does here.

We all should though.

@ostinato

www.itv.com/news/2020-07-12/seriously-ill-children-at-risk-due-to-ventilator-equipment-shortages-charity-warns

I've started wearing a mask in shops today. I found it hard to make the switch and I felt a bit self conscious, because most people weren't wearing them. I had to see a Dr on Friday and we were both wearing masks (compulsory) so I think that helped me get over the mental barrier as I was able to have a more or less normal conversation with the Dr inspite of the masks.

I think we all need to start wearing them, now that the evidence is showing it helps. But I can understand that it's difficult for people to make the switch. As more places make it compulsory it will feel less alien.

It would be easier if it was made compulsory and there would be no discussion. Scotland and many other countries have and seen to be managing and getting lower transmission. It won’t be forever and if it avoids another lockdown, it’s worth it.