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?

I certainly wouldn't wear one outside as it would be total overkill round here.
Inside I'm still able to social distance and I use hand sanitiser before I go in and out of a shop. Also have plastic gloves for some situations.
The evidence is not that strongly in favour of masks but I accept that in places where social distancing is harder there is a place for them, and for that reason they may become compulsory. I shall of course comply with government guidelines.

Compulsary in scotland unfortunately

how can I be slated for suggesting that someone wears a mask so that someone ese doesnt die?

Because people can die from chicken pox, flu, measles etc and yet masks have never been routinely worn before. The relative risk hasn't been fully explored yet.

What gets me about it all is that everyone just seems to accept what is happening to them without questioning how long this could be for...i mean what is the plan? There must be a plan..are we having to live like this forever?..until a vaccine? what if there is never a vaccone..is this it? I just wish the govt would be better at alleviating worries by saying when numbers get to certain level for example then we can stop masks or whatever?...i just cant cope with life as it is now ive had enough

I don't wear one. Can't stand my face covered. I work in a care home but not with residents so thankfully l don't need to at work.
Everyone here wearing them seems to be pulling them down between shops on their neck . Seems pointless if they touch them all the time without washing their hands.

That’s it isn’t it @Sami39. Masks are just one indicator of this relentlessly miserable and grim existence with no end in sight. I’d rather just die than live this miserable approximation of a life forever. Hidden away and not able to have close contact with other human beings ever. It’s no way to expect people to live.

So I am wearing a mask but I don’t have to like it.

'masks should be mandatory for everyone. But I stick by my views, I think they should be mandatory for everyone in all indoor spaces.'

Totally agree. We know it is spread via droplets so if anything can contain droplets then surely it's a good thing.

Face covers are common in most countries, Brits are too self conscious. Many need telling what to do which I think Johnson will do this week. I use a face cover indoors, it is only a minority that use them though. People who say then can't breathe through them, why? A thin piece of material does not impede respiration.

I will wear a mask if I go into a shopping centre, on public transport or to a medical appointment. I think that makes sense.

I won't wear one if out walking the dog because where I live I am straight out into fields with nobody anywhere near.

How about we spin this around! In other words will wearing a clinical/home made/N95 face mask and or face covering kill you or do you medical harm and a health and safety risk to you and those nearby?

Apart from valid medical reasons for non mask earring (eg the shielded at home vulnerable cohort etc) why are people anti mask in the middle of a potentially once in a 100 year global medical pandemic of a highly contagious invisible asymptomatic disease that has already meant 50k plus Brits Covid fatalities plus millions worldwide no longer have a choice!

Do any Brits here think the ongoing government Covid emergency financial handouts are going to be actually free of any future pay back costs? And if associated with ongoing Covid government thinking - mask wearing is generally compulsory (as in many overseas nations) according to English and Scottish government guidance/instruction/light touch law - will you make a rebellious non compliance stand because despite possibly saving your life as you feel your human rights are eroded? Or you think masks or even Covid is not actually a thing but all hyped up in the media etc etc!?

What gets me about it all is that everyone just seems to accept what is happening to them without questioning how long this could be for...i mean what is the plan?

If you look at the countries that have successfully controlled Covid you can see how life will improve once the UK gets to the same stage.

The UK is now coming out of lockdown later than many others, so it's hard to see now that life is going to get better.

My state has come out of lockdown with some restrictions still in place. We can eat, shop, see doctors and dentists, get haircuts, get together with friends, etc. Life isn't yet back to normal, but it's much better than it was a couple of months ago.

One of the prices of that is wearing masks until Covid has been fully controlled.

I don't like wearing masks, but I do like being able to live my life more normally than I could two months ago, hence I wear a mask so that I can continue to do so.

@SengaStrawberry

That’s it isn’t it *@Sami39*. Masks are just one indicator of this relentlessly miserable and grim existence with no end in sight. I’d rather just die than live this miserable approximation of a life forever. Hidden away and not able to have close contact with other human beings ever. It’s no way to expect people to live.

So I am wearing a mask but I don’t have to like it.

Exactly #sengastrawberry.. This isnt life and i want to know how long this could be for....not an unreasonable ask i dont think??!

@byvirtue

I’m extremely concerned the government are considering FORCING people to wear masks. To me that is a step too far especially if they are going to issue fines. Nobody should be forced to wear anything they are not comfortable with for whatever reason.

If they want to encourage mask wearing that’s fine but making it mandatory, no.

Nobody should be forced to wear anything they are not comfortable with for whatever reason.

How about seat belts?

Gloves when handling your food?

Are you ok with nakedness in the soft fruit aisle of the supermarket?

People have to do things they don't want to do all the time. it's something most people come to terms with when they leave school.

If there's a good reason why not then fine, but "I don't wanna" doesn't count.

I can't help but see people without masks in shops or on buses and just think if they don't have medical reasons not to, then they are incredibly Selfish.

I don't understand why someone would not want to wear one if it were medically possibly for them to do so. If there was even a slight 1% chance of helping the spread be reduced or If it would help give our vulnerable a little bit more piece of mind to enter the shops, We know it can be spread by droplets, so if you wear a face covering it reduces that risk slightly.

I think masks should be mandatory, although some people on public transport are not even listening to that, shows how little our government is respected.

It just a common decency to put in a mask when you can in closed environments. And all the idiots ignoring social distancing in public are the same, incredibly selfish, the more I hear people harp on about how they are not high risk so the vulnerable should just stay in, it just highlights their selfishness, society should be accessible to all, the minority, not just the masses.

I can't help but see people without masks in shops or on buses and just think if they don't have medical reasons not to, then they are incredibly Selfish.

I don't understand why someone would not want to wear one if it were medically possibly for them to do so. If there was even a slight 1% chance of helping the spread be reduced or If it would help give our vulnerable a little bit more piece of mind to enter the shops, We know it can be spread by droplets, so if you wear a face covering it reduces that risk slightly.

I think masks should be mandatory, although some people on public transport are not even listening to that, shows how little our government is respected.

It just a common decency to put in a mask when you can in closed environments. And all the idiots ignoring social distancing in public are the same, incredibly selfish, the more I hear people harp on about how they are not high risk so the vulnerable should just stay in, it just highlights their selfishness, society should be accessible to all, the minority, not just the masses.

For the last few weeks I've seen the videos all over social media calling out the idiots in the US screaming in people's faces about their rights, how they have medical reasons, how they won't be told what to do. I laughed and shook my head but, blow me down, those people are here too.

In Germany face coverings have had to be worn on public transport and in shops since the end of April

And here we are in July what two weeks in to having to wear one on public transport and the government is still not wanting to offend to many people who think they are sensible enough to make their own decisions

I am not a scientist or a Dr. I've seen posts from credible scientific sources saying masks are the best hope to reduce infection (when combined with hand washing, social distancing) and posts from credible scientific sources saying they're useless or hardly any use, so I just have to use my gut feeling - which says to use them. Levels are currently low in most of the UK - certainly in London - and it seems to me worth the slight inconvenience if this might help keep them that way as people move around more. I've been wearing them in shops since I bought a fabric set, although other than supermarket, I am not likely to be in most shops long enough to infect anyone.

It's sad to see a lot of posts on SM assuming 'everyone' wearing a mask is being sanctimonious, virtue-signalling, judgey, likely to call the authorities on people (I've just had to ask someone to please not use Nazi/holocaust analogies about pressure to wear masks - seriously), and also ones assuming anyone not doing so is a selfish bastard, conspiracy nut etc.

I am unable to wear one. I don't think I am superior and I certainly don't think I won't catch anything but there is not any way that it is possible for me to wear a mask.

This isnt life and i want to know how long this could be for....not an unreasonable ask i dont think??

Unfortunately it is. They have no way of answering this. It is a new virus, the whole world is learning all the time but still very much at the trial and error stage, they don't know how long this will take to control everyone is watching and waiting to see what works and what doesn't. It is also very variable depending on compliance and public behaviour in each area/country.

@copingnotcoping just wondering what medical that is that makes it impossible , I understand if you don't want to share, but just so I get a better understanding of it .?

People are selfish. HTH.

Yes, I wear a mask and think others would be better doing so when in a public place indoors. My mask helps to prevent me infecting others, it would be nice to think others were doing the same for me. I know some people find mask-wearing difficult but I'm surprised more people don't wear them....and I do think they should be compulsory in shops like in Scotland.

@copingnotcoping sorry I think I worded my initial play wrong - I'm trying to get across that an awful lot of people don't wear one (exempt those for medical reasons/personal reasons)
But for example a lot of younger people; teens/young adults that think they are invincible - walking around in large groups, not adhering to social distancing.
I even saw two people hugging in Ikea car park today.. went something like 'oh my god haven't seen you in ages hugs how are you!?'
Just grinds my gears

Under no circumstance did my post mean to 'get at' everyone not wearing a mask

All these threads about masks have taught me that the hard left are just as dangerous to disabled people as the hard right!!

Nick Dampier Latin cross Flag of Wales
@Nick_Boro1
Replying to
@AvonandsomerRob
No, my elderly father had an Angina attack today because the store was too hot and he couldn't breathe through his mask. It should never be compulsory to wear one
8:27 PM · Jul 10, 2020·Twitter for Android
27
Retweets and comments

twitter.com/Nick_Boro1/status/1281671462794022912?s=20

I hope they do become compulsory in England (for shops etc) The thing is today in the supermarket and in town I would say 80% of people who wore one were wearing them incorrectly. They were wearing them on their chin, or not covering their noses, or taking them off to talk, or putting them in pocket when outside the shop and then putting hem back in again later. I am afraid that they in most cases are neither use nor ornament.