To think more people would be willing to wear masks if...

[Lovely1a2b3c]

they thought that masks protected them from others (rather than vice versa- which they do to a limited extent) AND that Covid-19 posed a personal risk?

Masks protect both the wearer and those they are around. In addition if everyone wears them then we are all protecting each other. There are probably a limited number of people who genuinely cannot wear masks for medical reasons but some countries have a very high compliance.

I think that if the government had said that masks protected people from the beginning rather than saying that they only protect other people AND if people realised that even 20/30 somethings can be very ill (not necessarily die in most cases, but definitely suffer a prolonged period of feeling really unwell) then more Brits would be willing to wear them.

[DesdemonaDryEyes]

How do you eat out in a mask?

[totallyyesno]

How do you eat out in a mask?
You take it off! We have to wear masks inside so you wear it to enter the restaurant and if you are up from the table (to go to the loo, pay etc). You just take it off while you are sitting down eating.

[DesdemonaDryEyes]

I thought once you had removed it you had to dispose of it and wash your hands.

How the fuck is that going to work in a restaurant?

[ginghamtablecloths]

I wear a mask when I go shopping and take it off when I get back to the car. Why do I wear it? To protect myself or others? A bit of both I suspect.

[Ori38]

I’m well in favour of them, hopefully they’ll become mandatory in the workplace too. I work in an open plan office & some colleagues (one man in particular) always came in if he was gopping ill, coughing & sneezing & breathing his horrible germs over everyone else with zero fucks. Tosser. Go home, stay there!

People like him really piss me off. The arrogance of some people beggars belief. So yes, I’m all for it.

[Blobby10]

I don't understand the reasoning behind mask wearing. My only trips mixing with anyone other than my immediate family (same house) is to the supermarket where I wash my hands before and after and keep 2m apart from everyone. I don't go anywhere else - I don't have any money to spend on clothes, books, coffee, bits for the house, restaurants, pubs - I don't socialise - I don't understand how me wearing a face mask will protect someone else getting the virus.

The scientific stuff seems to ebb and flow depending on what rule the govt want to put in place next - now they are making masks compulsory, the WHO have decided this virus is airborne. Its all so confusing.

[totallyyesno]

I thought once you had removed it you had to dispose of it and wash your hands.
No. We're not talking about protecting yourself from nursing Covid patients. The idea is that you make it slightly less likely that you breathe or cough on other people and they on you.

[Hercwasonaroll]

I agree Bobby. It all seems so inconsistent.

[ptumbi]

FFS the death rate/infection rate is already dropping! How long do we have to wear masks for - until it's eradicated? That's never.

I really don't understand how a mask can help - it reduces your oxygen intake by up to 20%, at a time when we are supposed to be supporting and boosting our Immune systems to the max. (But then, this gov had us indoors , not exercising and not getting fresh air at the beginning of all this...)

I was really hoping that they wouldn't become mandatory - going out, shopping (food, clothes, shoes, anything), eating out, drinking out - is all such a miserable experience now.
I went into Next last monday, and the queues, one way system, unable to try anything on is all so miserable that I left and will buy online. And there is the death of Next on the High St. Multiply by most of the high st, and how many more jobs will be lost?
Holidays, flights, hotels, restaurants, cafes, Ice cream parlours - all will be lost because it is such a miserable experience.

It's Hell. And how long will it last?

[Mumratheevergiving]

I’m with BogRollBOGOF in finding it hard to find the logic in timing of implementation. People in the UK have been very compliant particularly at the start of the crisis. It’s the fact that the Gov have previously told us they didn’t think masks would make much difference that is now throwing people!

I do feel sorry for elderly people, particularly those hard of hearing, it must feel very alien to them. I’m sure we will all adjust soon enough.

[ptumbi]

And those waiting for a vaccine - if it's true that we can catch it twice, any vaccine will also be ineffective.

[WhattheFishappening]

Hiding from the surveillance cameras?
It’s a criminal’s dream... No cctv evidence for the foreseeable future!

[Mumratheevergiving]

I understand that our knowledge about transmission is growing but it’s understandable people are confused when the message changes and some settings e.g schools have not been advised to use them www.politicshome.com/news/article/coronavirus-wearing-face-masks-makes-no-difference-to-spread-of-disease-insists-uk-medical-chief

[sotiredofthislonelylife]

@Wolfsony

But when worn properly they do protect the wearer. The effect you get depends on the material it's made of and the fit. It was utter horseshite that they ever said otherwise and a mistake we will all pay for.

I wholeheartedly agree with you!!
If we had all been encouraged to cover our mouths and noses with something right from the start, I am convinced it would have kept infection numbers down.

I also thought right from the beginning, it was being transmitted before symptoms showed. Unfortunately, we were categorically told that it wasn’t. A wasted opportunity!

[totallyyesno]

It’s a criminal’s dream... No cctv evidence for the foreseeable future!
To be fair, burglars have had a proper hard time of it during lockdown what with nobody going out and leaving a window open. It's time we gave something back.

[ThatDamnScientist]

@LagunaBubbles

Not really getting why some people seem to be having such childish tantrums surrounding wearing masks.

This.

I am asthmatic and my eldest daughter is autistic and asthmatic and we have managed perfectly well wearing masks.

I do acknowledge a TINY minority can't (my autistic 5 year old being one) but the amount of people who can't because of very lame excuses beggars belief. England is a very selfish nation compared many others.

[Phineyj]

The fault here is squarely with the government and their mixed messages.

[Mumratheevergiving]

While Sturgeon was telling people in Scotland to wear masks much earlier Matt Hancock was still saying the case for wearing them was ‘weak’ www.politicshome.com/news/article/matt-hancock-says-no-change-in-advice-on-coronavirus-masks-after-nicola-sturgeon-tells-scots-to-wear-face-coverings

[HandsOffMyRights]

@Lifeisgenerallyfun

I’ll happily wear a mask but my glasses steam up seemingly no matter what type of mask. I will definitely be keeping shopping On the internet so I can see.

Has anyone found a solution to this without covering your face in tape?

No, so it'll be online shopping for me too.

[lynsey91]

Why not bring this in months ago? Plus Boris says "in 10 days time"! What planet is the idiot on. Why not say from the end of the week or the weekend?

[Adeleide2]

I am glad they are made mandatory, but people need to understand how to wear them safely. You can’t keep taking them on and off. It means you keep touching your face constantly which is making you more exposed to the virus.

[midnightstar66]

Not really getting why some people seem to be having such childish tantrums surrounding wearing masks.*
Are you neurotypical and physically healthy?*

Plenty neurotypical and healthy people up in arms on my SM. Also lots of people who have suddenly worsened asthma

*
*
The timing is completely illogical. Either it should have been done back in March with a high community transmission, or in June when non-essential shops opened.

That's a bit like saying if people have been been smoking for 10 years so there's no point in stopping, or you're overweight already so no point losing any. It won't stop people who have already become ill from it doing so but it might prevent future problems for those that take the precautions even if it's later than ideal

[goingtokickthisweight]

@WhattheFishappening

goingtokick
I get fed up of people's selfish attitudes of I'm young and healthy etc. There is plenty out there who arnt and why should they have to stay locked behind closed doors just because it's slightly uncomfortable for everyone else to wear a mask.
And I say this as a mothers of 2 one who is severely autistic and has multiple sensory issues, so wearing a mask isn't possible.
Luckily he's 8 so won't have to but he has one with his favourite characters on and we try to put it on every time we go out for everyone's protection.

My friend’s son is 18, autistic with severe sensory issues. As an ‘adult’ he will required to wear a mask. Apparently this has led to a complete meltdown and he says that he is now trapped at home.
It’s a no win situation because he can’t tolerate anything near his face/ head (hats, scarves and now face masks...). Haircuts for example are a nightmare as is shaving.
The casual observer (other shoppers/shop assistants etc) would have no idea he is autistic and will be seen by others as someone with purely selfish attitudes if he doesn’t wear one.

He's actually exempt and so he should be so he can still go out knowing that he doesn't need to wear one.
Maybe a hidden Dissabilities badge could help if he'd wear one?

[WhattheFishappening]

He's actually exempt and so he should be so he can still go out knowing that he doesn't need to wear one.
Maybe a hidden Dissabilities badge could help if he'd wear one?

Unfortunately there is no way he would wear a badge!
The problem is, there are some people who will take this as an opportunity act like little vigilantes monitoring mask wearing.
The same type of person who seems to stalk car parks on the look out for people using the disabled spaces ‘who don’t look disabled’.