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?

@Alsohuman

You are welcome BUT why does it take 50k plus Covid fatalities and half a year for England to realise and finally keep common sense common for a range of mitigation measures used (for years in some places) globally by billions to stop the spread of diseases including deadly Covid????

And to all the Covidiots who are either reckless or selfish or simply ignorant or indeed a combination of all these things, think that PPE with other Covid safety protective measures are still debating the tangible proven benefits!

England fudged use of face coverings for months because there were none for some medics because smarter nations globally were snapping the stock!

However although this is technically for use in shops and for adults - we have been using them for months grown ups and children as we simply want to mitigate all dangers including staying away from trouble as much as practicable!

Hypothetically even if my child looks around teenage or slightly younger at the so called English face covering mandatory age I will not be reckless and have child unmasked exposed to potential danger and hence why some English children have also died from Covid community transmission!

Five children have died from Covid up to 23 June, 71 have required ITU in total. There are over 10 million children in the UK. Children have also dies of Covid in other countries so to imply its just the UK is wrong.

Had a quick google and more children die in road accidents per month. Yet we still drive children in cars and let them out of the house.

The UK and worldwide Covid statistics do indeed confirm that Covid does not discriminate but certain trends of particular demographics have been discovered. New born babies to centenarians have all fell victim and paid the ultimate price. Of course Covid survival rates are dependent (generally) on the sufferer's health as statistics confirm comorbidity linkage as well as general age trends etc.

However as this is killer disease is evidently invisible and highly contagious with many unknown asymptomatic super spreaders (likely unmasked) would it not be also wise for mums here to consider placing a hat shield on their children too. These are widely used globally and like wearing a cap but with a visor and face shield is possibly better than going unmasked and potentially exposed to hidden dangers from other unmasked people? All sensible mums would not fathom driving without putting on a car safety belt nor a child without suitable age appropriate car safety seat protection too. I insist on taking all practicable Covid mitigation measures (yes it is a pain but needs must!) including PPE for children as you never know as any thing is better than nothing like staying away from trouble. Only in this case it seems to be invisible unlike crossing the road where children learn to be road safety aware from walking age.

We all differ in parenting styles, I truly believe I can't wrap my daughter up in cotton wool for the rest of her life. I can only prepare her for the judgements on risk that will come in her life, and to enjoy life without constant anxiety.

Thats what is right for our little family, as I'm sure you are doing what you believe for yours.

Vintagevixen

Agree and good luck. None of us actually like all these PPE things as it is not the most comfortable but given the uncertainty it gives me as a mother a slight marginal psychological comfort to know that I am doing what I can given the circumstances. As a family (as for all of us) we have massively changed and forcefully adopted to new weird ways of doing things and prevented from doing all the usual things we always love to do as a family and as a community. Covid has killed more than just innocent people it has “killed” some of our sprit but we must all unite and stay strong as together we will all fight and best this pesky disease. Not sure how long as that all depends on our collective behaviours but the sooner the better obviously and that starts with doing the right and sensible thing which may or may not include some silly face shield etc! Wishing you and your lives knew all the best. I heard horror stories about certain undignified services conducted via zoom so yes I am more cautious than most.