When do you think we will be able to go in to shops without a mask?

[GetOutOfMyPub1]

And on public transport? Obviously I know none of you can give a definite answer but wondering when you all think this might be.

I know I’m in the minority - but I just don’t find mask-wearing that bad. Not as comfy as bare-faced, sure, but not a problem either. I find this hatred for masks really bemusing.

Compliance in my local Tesco looked close to 100% (and I have to shop in store because deliveries and click-and-collect slots where I live are non-existent).

Face masks are the new normal.

They will be required for as long as it takes until the pandemic has run its course, or until the population has been vaccinated or until treatments are available which stop covid killing people.

@AgeLikeWine

Face masks are the new normal.

They will be required for as long as it takes until the pandemic has run its course, or until the population has been vaccinated or until treatments are available which stop covid killing people.

I don't much fancy living in a world where people think wearing face masks to go grab a pint of milk from the shop is a new normal.

Give it a month or so until retailers report the massive downturn in trade.

Then they'll drop it.

When you piss off the majority to appease the minority, it doesn't take long for sparks to fly.

maybe I should go browse the charity shops. I don't like buying clothes anywhere else & ch-shops will probably close down again far too soon for my liking.

I'll say September 2021 OP, but really have not a clue.

Hopefully it will remain until we hit practically no cases or vaccines are found.

It’s not much to ask of people to keep others safe.

I think until vaccines are rolled out. Have to say, it does put me at a bit more ease when I hear people sneezing and coughing close by! Just because people seem to think it's OK to sneeze into their hands still and then proceed to touch things that others touch so atleast it prevents that!

I don't mind wearing masks in the slightest so if its next year that's fine. DD12 and I both agree that they make us feel snug and cosy. Happily went for a shopping trip last week and wore them before mandatory.

As I said in another thread:

I think the mask thing will be gone within the next 3 months as I really don't think the flimsy cloth masks & fabric masks cut the mustard in preventing Covid infection especially when folk aren't keeping their distance from you & putting their masks on & off & & fiddling with them as they go shop to shop. And I can't see most of the population will really use a new one or wash the fabric one after every use.
So unless we all have to wear the FFP3 (the most effective ones such as medical staff wear) ) then I really don't see the point as I don't think it will cut infection rates.

I’ve been avoiding the news of late and missed the date for mask wearing rules. I went to two shops and I didn’t realise! The corner shop had zero mask wearers and no signs, there were 2 out of about 10 in another shop further down the road. No signs. Honestly not seeing many, though I’ve only been down the local high street so far.

My prediction is that after say a month a lot of people won't bother wearing one in shops as it isn't being enforced. Social distancing has stopped out on the streets a while ago

I was in a local ASDA earlier and surprised how many people weren't wearing one. It doesn't help with staff not wearing them either. If we're going to do this let's set an example and all do it together but no. Everything we do we cock it up

@Babamamananarama

Seriously, this is only an issue if shopping is a pastime. It's really easy to do your weekly supermarket shop on a click n collect or get a delivery if you don't drive.

You can order clothes and household stuff online.

You can buy less stuff. Apart from food and a few exceptions eg children outgrowing shoes and clothes, there are not that many reasons you need to actually go shopping.

We all need to buy less stuff from an ecological perspective. I really really can't get upset about the decline of great British hobby of moseying round the shops and buying stuff you don't need.

But what about all the people who work in shops? If we all stop shopping they loose their jobs. I agree we need to consume less but there has to be a balance

@LizzieBennett70

Give it a month or so until retailers report the massive downturn in trade.

Then they'll drop it.

When you piss off the majority to appease the minority, it doesn't take long for sparks to fly.

@LizzieBennett70 Wait.....what?? Wearing masks is to benefit the MAJORITY. It is only the minority whingeing about it. Removing mask-wearing would be appeasing the minority. And when the virus keeps spreading, let me warn you; the majority will turn on the minority who wanted the rule removed.

Wait until that happens. The mask refusers had better find somewhere to hide when their way means more people die. Wearing masks should be mandatory. We should never pander to the minority of whingers, conspiracy theorists, deniers etc.

Nobody knows - all replies are pure speculation.

God I hope it doesn't roll on much into next year, I don't wear the loop behind the ear masks anyway, just a silk scarf or bandanna knotted round so it's a bit more bearable.

I read through the royal society/oxford meta analysis on all the evidence/studies related to masking recently, the authors endorsed face masks but there were far too many "probably" and "maybes" for me, plus no randomised controlled trials have ever been done with mask wearers/non mask wearers. All studies have been done in health care settings, none in the community.

Evidence very flimsy in my opinion, so I wear them because it is compulsory and only because of that.

Not for at least a year I hope. The virus isn't going anywhere.

I think wearing masks won't make any difference to infection rates at all and it's just to make Boris look like he's doing something.

And all the people wanging on about how it's to protect others are falling for the bollocks and swanning about in masks just to say 'look at me, I care' I predict lots of people will stop wearing them pretty soon.

Logically, not until there is a vaccine.

CV cases will probably soar over winter, so little chance of any easing of mask wearing.

Personally, since wearing a mask, i am less bothered by people getting within 2m in my local SM, i guess a bit like wearing a seat belt, the mask gives a false sense of security?

And all the people wanging on about how it's to protect others are falling for the bollocks and swanning about in masks just to say 'look at me, I care' I predict lots of people will stop wearing them pretty soon.

But they are to protect others, not really the wearer.

If we all stop shopping they loose their jobs

Then they need to enforce the rules and insist on masks. I’ll continue to shop online as safer.

People are wearing them because they think it makes them safe.

There are 3 cases in our county. None in hospital or a care setting. General population is 650,000.

Wearing a mask gives me no protection. It merely assures the people around me that I'm a "Good Covid Citizen".

And I've no enthusiasm to join that rank, thanks all the same. My holier than thou attitude and high horses are all on furlough

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss

If we all stop shopping they loose their jobs

Then they need to enforce the rules and insist on masks. I’ll continue to shop online as safer.

No way should shop workers enforce the rules and insist on masks. They don't get paid enough for that shit.

Wearing a mask gives me no protection. It merely assures the people around me that I'm a "Good Covid Citizen".

Exactly this.

Whenever you want, just say you’re exempt