Mask avoiders are basically anti-vaxers?

[Chanjer]

Aside from in the case of medical exemption obviously.

AIBU to think a lot of people that mount a personal argument against masks are of a similar mindset though?

Yes I think so - it's all 'my rights and my freedoms' and very little 'my responsibilities to others'. Much overlap between two groups I suspect.

People who can mask but don't, for trivial or untrue reasons? Yep.

People who can't ? No.

I agree, and in a similar vein to those who've not followed other guidelines, leaving the majority to take the societal responsibility for protecting others.

I don't think they're the same type of people at all. The anti-vaxxers I know seem to be slightly 'alternative', and generally a bit health-anxious. Anti-maskers are more your UKIP types.

There's about as much point talking to an anti-masker as there is in talking to anti-vaxers, though. Zero.

Hopefully most people who honestly can, will do the right thing.

The one anti vaxxer I know is a bit of a conspiracy theorist when it come to health issues and masks come under that (she believes measles is a mild childhood illness for example, and the vaccines are more harmful. And her kids will be fine as she gives them vitamins). She's also into one MLM after another... Starting with Juice Plus. Its another health one now. I'm sure the two are connected.

I find the anti-maskers fall into two camps: politically motivated (don’t believe in Covid, don’t believe what we’re told about it) or vanity motivated (they look awful; I’ll look awful in one). I’ve been surprised at how many people I know are in camp 2 .

It depends what you regard as ‘doing the right thing’. I’m sure they will wear a mask whenever required (so not like anti-Vaxers afterall) but they won’t do the right thing in the sense of going out and about shopping etc for England to keep our high streets going.

Oh good, a mask thread. Must be at least 3.5 minutes since we had one of those.

vanity motivated (they look awful; I’ll look awful in one)

I think I look better in a mask

I agree @ContentiousOne, that they can be equally deluded/obstinate!

Sorry but that's bullshit. I don't want to wear a mask for practical reasons, it makes it very hard to breath (I have asthma), is uncomfortable especially in hot weather, and as all the advice from government has said me wearing one does not protect me from getting COVID.

On the other hand, I will be delighted when a vaccine comes along and will get it as soon as I am able - hopefully my asthma will prioritise me above the average member of the public (though obviously below high risk groups). I take the view in general that if a vaccine is in widespread use and a health professional advises I take on, I do.

There is no link between not wanting to wear a mask and being an anti-vaxxer.

Almost all the mask refusers I know are also antivaxers. Relying on everyone else to protect them as usual.

I don't see many people wearing masks, except for some shop assistants really and a few old people. Yet most of the people I walk past in the street will have vaccinated their kids.
I think a lot of non mask wearers are dubious about their use/feel a bit silly/find it easier to not have their glasses steam up. Very few are actively protesting the use of masks - it's just not our habit.
I think what will be more telling is if/when they become mandatory. I'm in Wales and we are not being told to wear them in shops and no shop has asked. I tend to put one on in a small shop but not bother on the big ones.

I agree with Mrs Hunt.

Hardly anyone round here wears one but most people get their kids vaccinated/ have one if needed for travel etc

Ok. I will bite. I am neither an anti-vaxer or a UKIP voter just a bog standard human being. I do not want to wear a mask. I will not be going anywhere non essential after 24th that requires me to wear a mask so no need for anyone to worry about me spreading my germs. If I do have to venture out for anything (and it would have to be really essential, thinking medical appointments, opticians) I will wear a mask where required. So far I have followed all the rules and I am a law abiding generally compliant person but compulsory mask wearing for shopping, nope, step too far. I have been working throughout lockdown in a school with a bubble of 15 and come September I will be with a bubble of 30 and my own children will be in bubbles of 240 x 2 at school. If it’s safe to do that then a fleeting encounter in a shop is no different.

@contrmary wearing a mask is mainly meant to protect others. An anti vaxxer doesn’t think of other people especially those children who are immune issues so can’t have vaccines and need to be protected by other children having the vaccine.

So people refusing to wear a mask just because they can, rather than down to health reasons, are not thinking of other people either.

It depends what you regard as ‘doing the right thing’. I’m sure they will wear a mask whenever required (so not like anti-Vaxers afterall) but they won’t do the right thing in the sense of going out and about shopping etc for England to keep our high streets going.

So they should queue up with others who may even though be wearing a mask likely wearing it improperly and not social distancing, or sanitising their hands (seen this a lot) to keep the high streets going when they can otherwise order online from the same shops or do takeaways from the local restaurants. Wouldn’t you rather these people stay home anyway then not comply with the rules?

Mask wearers (usually wearing them incorrectly) are the worst for totally ignoring social distancing.

I don't believe anti-maskers will stay home.

Christ, what batshit theory. Of course they're not.

I don't believe anti-maskers will stay home.

Why should they? Masks are only going to be compulsory in shops and public transport. You don’t have to wear one elsewhere.

@PurpleDaisies

Mask wearers (usually wearing them incorrectly) are the worst for totally ignoring social distancing.

I hear this a lot but it's not true where I am. People who mask are also more likely to enact other prosocial behaviours, like distancing.

Not everyone on Mumsnet lives where I do, of course, so experiences may vary.

I did see a woman today wearing hers on her chin in the GP surgery, which was more irritating than the people not wearing at all.

as all the advice from government has said me wearing one does not protect me from getting COVID.

And there is the typical "me, me, me" attitude. As has been said numerous time, the masks are designed to protect others from the virus, so if someone wears one they have a less chance of spreading it to others. So you basically don't care about protecting others.

I was in a supermarket yesterday and noticed that mask wearing had given many of the shoppers a magical confidence to lean over me, walk right behind me, and generally disregard any need for social distancing.