to suggest NOT wearing masks, but instead wearing . . .

[Durgasarrow]

the charmingly named Neck Gaitors? They have been my all-purpose solution to the Great Mask Dilemma of 2020. They're washable, lightweight, stylish, useful, versatile, you can wear them as a scarf and pull them up as needed, or as a hairband or even a bracelet if it's too constricting to keep it around your neck. They're cheap to order from Amazon by the half dozen--they have seriously helped me keep my sanity.

@Plimpy

Ah, sorry *@askmehowiknow* I've been so upset by the events of the last few months that y sarcasm detector has been damaged! (In addition to my physical, mental and economic health...)

For those of you who know this mask shit is all bullshit, but are afraid of getting fined - this is your chance to do the decent thing.
It will cost you some bravery, but these are the people you are standing up for by not wearing a mask. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3969784-A-little-more-understanding-to-those-not-wearing-masks-THREAD-TWO?pg=11

Just imagine being told by a charity set up to help you to 'desensitise yourself' to your rape PTSD. To suck up the impetigo. To ignore the immense pain a mask can trigger.

This mask law is relying on us all to police each other. Don't do it!
All you need to say is 'I'm exempt' when asked to wear a mask. You can claim extreme distress at wearing a mask and for it to be true if you care about the extreme distress that people unable to wear a mask through PTSD or other disabilities are experiencing.
For every person who doesn't believe in masks not wearing a mask, it helps normalise it for those who cannot.

Be brave. Help others. DON'T wear a mask.

No. Fuck this shit.

Wear a mask, don't wear a mask. You'll do what you want anyway.

But don't kid yourself you're doing anything at all helpful for those who cannot wear one.

I suggest you re-read the thread you linked more carefully and take note of the complete absence of posts saying 'I wish all the people who can wear a mask would refuse to do so in solidarity with us'

I hate these and prefer a mask. Each to there own.

They seem great.
For Winter.

Try them in temperatures of over 30oC.

Wear a mask, don't wear a mask. You'll do what you want anyway

This is true.

But don't kid yourself you're doing anything at all helpful for those who cannot wear one.

There are many who are unable to wear a mask who would love to be able to - you're right in that I'm likely not helping them, in their eyes I'm making it more unsafe for them.

But, there will also be those who are exempt AND who think it's a horrible load of bollocks and wish everyone else would make a stand against it. I truly believe I'm helping them. And, yes, I'm going to do it anyway. We all have to stand up for what we believe.

a surgical mask is designed for just that. It is part of the professional persons uniform.

And do you think it's any more comfortable to wear? For hours at a time, in stressful circumstances, along with lots of other potentially uncomfortable PPE equipment?

That's an odd point indeed, Medievalist. As if calling it a uniform component renders it's use instantly more comfortable for the wearer

@Plimpy

Wear a mask, don't wear a mask. You'll do what you want anyway

This is true.

But don't kid yourself you're doing anything at all helpful for those who cannot wear one.

There are many who are unable to wear a mask who would love to be able to - you're right in that I'm likely not helping them, in their eyes I'm making it more unsafe for them.

But, there will also be those who are exempt AND who think it's a horrible load of bollocks and wish everyone else would make a stand against it. I truly believe I'm helping them. And, yes, I'm going to do it anyway. We all have to stand up for what we believe.

If you want to make a stand then make a stand. If you get stopped, you say 'I'm not wearing one because I think it's a horrible load of bollocks'

Don't pretend to be exempt when you're not. Don't pretend you are experiencing severe distress because you are so upset about people with PTSD or disabilities who can't wear one.

'do the decent thing'?
'Be brave'?

The point is a surgeon knows what he/she is signing up for. There is no doubt a shed load of evidence to show that the wearing of an appropriate and correctly fitted mask is of paramount importance. There is at best, parchy evidence to show that a shopper is protected or is protecting others by wearing an ill fitting mask which has been on his/her chin for half an hour.

Since when do we take pity on people who wear rather uncomfortable uniforms for work?

@thesmallassassin @redcatbluecat

Sorry for the delayed reply and obviously the thread has moved on, but to respond to your specific comments to me.

A mask/face covering shouldn't be taken off over your head as it's highly likely that the outside of it will touch your face or hair (even going from the back as suggested by RCBC.)

Whilst masks primarily protect others from your droplets they do also offer some protection from others - I think the latest thinking is about 40%.

The safest way to remove your mask is to wash your hands, hold each ear loop and pull one out and forward away from you but towards the centre point of your face, then unloop the other ear. Disposable masks should go straight in a lidded bin and washable ones should go into a sealed bag until placed directly in the washer. Finally wash your hands.

You should never re-wear a used mask (unless it's been washed obviously) or pull it down around your neck and then pull it back up again. You should also avoid touching the mask once it's on your face. Masks become ineffective once damp so should be removed and replaced roughly every 2 hours or once damp - whichever comes first.

For those that find the ear loops hurt/are uncomfortable then you can get masks that tie around your head (or add some ribbon to the ear loops yourself). You can also buy (or make yourself) plastic 'mask extenders' that the ear loops got into rather than them going around your ear. If using either of these types though practice talking them off a few times at home first, as they're trickier to take off.

The point is a surgeon knows what he/she is signing up for
I wonder what significance having to wear a mask in theatre is given when weighing up career choices? 🤔
I imagine it's a necessary evil for everyone, regardless of where it's worn.

Since when do we take pity on people who wear rather uncomfortable uniforms for work?

I'm not taking pity on anyone. Merely pointing out the ridiculousness of CuntryRhodes complaining about being too "hot and bothered" by her face covering to be able to carry on a conversation with a shop assistant, when some people have to do their job wearing similar.

@PurpleGoose you've have just made me go double check - we have these in the house for other reasons, but havnt used them as covid masks.
The bit in front of your nose and mouth goes nowhere other than away from your face.
You grab the bit that is in the back of your head with both hands, pull it up and out til it is by your forehead, and then lift the whole thing away, folding in half so anything that has been as the internal or external surface by your mouth is enclosed.

Don't pretend to be exempt when you're not. Don't pretend you are experiencing severe distress because you are so upset about people with PTSD or disabilities who can't wear one.

As I said, Ive been off work for years now as Im too ill to go back. I can maybe last 7 mins in a mask, which would be enough for a horrid dash round the supermarket and then just staying out of all the other shops. I refuse to live like that.
I could maybe train myself to tolerate it. If i thought it was a proportional ask, I might try. But I don't. So I won't. The thought of living like this for much longer has brought me close to the edge many a time.
I'm pretty sure I qualify for exemption. And, I dont have to justify it to you, anyway.
For all your wise words in your other post, you're havering mighty close to what you were speaking against, in my opinion.
Im not saying those who think masks are helpful shouldn't wear them. I'm saying that those who think it's bollocks should refuse. And yes, they shouldn't claim they're exempt if they're not.
Maybe I won't. I've not decided.

@GinDaddyRedux

Jesus I actually can't even write what I want to.

What is wrong with the ego of British people that they can't get their act together and just wear a proper mask?!

This is actually a perfectly acceptable substitute.. Read the full guidelines and it states face coverings. Everyonr has a preference.. whats so wrong with YOUR ego that you can't just let them have their opinions?

I cannot for the life of me see any connection between the surgeon in a face mask and the hot and bothered fed up shopper.

The mask in the first case is part of a uniform backed by years of research. The second case is some spurious, ill thought out attempt to deflect attention from the chaotic handling of a Pandemic.

If you don't want to take any chances this is very effective but only for short shopping trips - not cheap but you can't place a price on your life

www.underwaterworld.co.uk/acatalog/Interspiro_Divator_Mask_.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw9vn4BRBaEiwAh0muDJJeAaiqfxHwKMjYFnThFgW7C_hkJtdhmYaSRRAw2DjSK04GIPijBBoCB3gQAvD_BwE

If they are safe to use and help stop spread then yes lovely to see those ... very pretty

@Plimpy

Don't pretend to be exempt when you're not. Don't pretend you are experiencing severe distress because you are so upset about people with PTSD or disabilities who can't wear one.

As I said, Ive been off work for years now as Im too ill to go back. I can maybe last 7 mins in a mask, which would be enough for a horrid dash round the supermarket and then just staying out of all the other shops. I refuse to live like that.
I could maybe train myself to tolerate it. If i thought it was a proportional ask, I might try. But I don't. So I won't. The thought of living like this for much longer has brought me close to the edge many a time.
I'm pretty sure I qualify for exemption. And, I dont have to justify it to you, anyway.
For all your wise words in your other post, you're havering mighty close to what you were speaking against, in my opinion.
Im not saying those who think masks are helpful shouldn't wear them. I'm saying that those who think it's bollocks should refuse. And yes, they shouldn't claim they're exempt if they're not.
Maybe I won't. I've not decided.

If you have that much difficulty wearing a mask you may be exempt and nobody who is exempt has to justify the reason to anyone else except for the police and TfL staff.

That's not what you posted though is it? You said -

For those of you who know this mask shit is all bullshit, but are afraid of getting fined - this is your chance to do the decent thing.

All you need to say is 'I'm exempt' when asked to wear a mask. You can claim extreme distress at wearing a mask and for it to be true if you care about the extreme distress that people unable to wear a mask through PTSD or other disabilities are experiencing.

It's not 'brave', it's incredibly cowardly.
It's not 'doing the decent thing', it's behaving like a complete shit.

All you need to say is 'I'm exempt' when asked to wear a mask. You can claim extreme distress at wearing a mask and for it to be true if you care about the extreme distress that people unable to wear a mask through PTSD or other disabilities are experiencing.

I dont get to decide how much distress at this shit situation qualifies as an exemption.
And, crucially, neither do you.

How are you supposed to be sociable and polite if your face is covered?

Say hello to them and then when you leave the store say thank you, that's what I've been doing since they started having staff on the door. If you are smiling genuinely then it goes to your eyes anyway.

Luckily I had my bit of old cloth on my face today in Sainsbos, so I am no coward. Nor did I behave like a complete shit. Phew, thats a relief.

If you feel they are a bit too flimsy then just wear a hospital mask underneath. It stays in place better I find. If I am in a very crowded place - which is hardly ever - I do this.

I cannot for the life of me see any connection between the surgeon in a face mask and the hot and bothered fed up shopper.

Oh dear. Perhaps you're overthinking it?

Marginally off topic- but disposable masks should be banned given the waste they generate and the additional threat to wildlife. Washable, re-usable ones should be the 'go-to' for the general public....and in the longer run, cheaper?

Are you Jeff Bezos OP