To think masks are just being treated as completely optional?!

[JuniperFather]

I went shopping today in Sainsburys and Asda, needed to get some items for DD that would have taken too long to arrive if online. For reference I live in the South East (M25/A3).

I wore a mask, as I have done since the rules have changed. Yes it was uncomfortable in the heat, but it was done to respect and protect others. If I have the privilege of being able to use a public space and shop, then it's hardly a privation to protect others as per the Government guidance.

Yet today, on my two visits, I reckon I saw maybe 30 or 40 people wandering around without masks. Probably more than that.

Quite a few were young men, late teens early 20s, completely oblivious. One was a lady who glared at anyone who even dared look at her. A few were local workmen. Another lady in her 50s, a few who were a bit younger.

I would go as far to say that maybe half of the shop were wearing masks, and half weren't.

My AIBU question is, do you think people are now just now viewing masks as completely optional when in such spaces, rather than an enforceable requirement as per the Government's steer?

YABU: No they're not being viewed as optional. All these people probably have hidden disabilities.

YANBU: You're right. People are just doing what they want.

I start this thread in the fear however that I will get a slew of responses from people saying

• I suffered trauma which means I can't cover my face
• I have breathing difficulties

etc..

This post is not for you - the Government make it clear in the 7 August face coverings briefing that you are exempt.

However my question is, was everyone I came across REALLY in this category? Is Britain a country with thousands of people with breathing difficulties and unresolved traumas, when continental Europe, Asia etc have much higher rates of mask compliance?

Or as per my question, my real suspicion is that the dozens of people I saw, just can't be arsed with a mask and won't ever be told what to do. They know those two shops won't challenge them, and the likelihood of the police being called or getting fined is low. So they just do what they want.

AIBU to think it's all just being treated as completely optional, and those of us bearing discomfort and wearing masks to protect others are just sheep?

However my question is, was everyone I came across REALLY in this category? Is Britain a country with thousands of people with breathing difficulties and unresolved traumas, when continental Europe, Asia etc have much higher rates of mask compliance?

Yes

You will never know if they have hidden disabilities, so why waste time frothing at the mouth about it? I know someone who is normally fit and healthy on appearance, but has PTSD linked to torture, so wearing a mask gives them panic attacks, so I would say that you really can't judge a book by its cover. Young people can have breathing difficulties too. You don't have to walk around constantly struggling for breath to prove this.

I think that too - but I’d estimate about half the people in the stores here are wearing them (or have them dangling off their chin). They can’t all have issues wearing them? And wouldn’t they avoid business areas or getting too close to others?

The snowflakes are not the ones refusing to wear them. They are the ones who are insisting on being kept "safe" irrespective of cost.

Agree with this.

"I've just got back from Spain. Masks are NOT optional there and oddly enough few people seem to have medical conditions that prohibit wearing one"

A quick Google will tell you that Spain has exemptions such as those with breathing difficulties, not being able to put one on and behavioural difficulties in keeping one on.

@MooneyBadger that's fine, thanks for the cyber bouquet haha and @Vintagevixen I did not refer to you directly as a snowflake. Sorry if it came off that way. I probably did not word myself very well but I am courteous of others and respect their opinion.

This isn’t a dig at people that can’t wear masks
We
Know they exist

It’s a did at selfish English twats

We are like America now
Ugh

@MooneyBadger I've just reread our posts and realised I'd had a blonde moment; the post you've quoted from me is one that I put, not a quote from someone else, if that makes sense. But yes I suppose you are quite right in saying that and I should be more considerate and less judgemental in future! I hold my hands up and admit I forgot my mask - how many others have done the exact same? Thank you for pointing out my judgement x

The amount of people claiming breathing difficulties! I have mild-moderate respiratory disease, and I wear one. Why wouldn't you? The only reply I had to this in another thread was "I don't want to". Selfish people.

I have 3 relatives with asthma (various degrees of severity). They all manage ok. It’s hot, it’s uncomfortable, it’s itchy and you’re glasses fog up. Better that than be responsible for sending someone else to hospital.

Your not you’re

"Fines for refusing to wear a mask could reach a maximum of £3,200 and illegal rave organisers face a £10,000 penalty"

BBC just now.

Coronavirus: Lockdown to ease further in England from Saturday www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53772735

Instead of a silly unnecessary fine and criminal record or worst - one can essentially repurpose other household clothing items to crate a face covering at relatively negligible added expense.
Countless online video tutorials using repurposed airline complimentary eye masks, to casual t shirts to scarfs etc etc. Not particularly challenging to fashion a home made legally compliant face covering! It may safe your or your child's life too!

Jesus you dont get that for killing someone while drunk/drug driving.

YANBU at all!

My mum is a medical professional and has to wear full PPE for work even though she does experience dizziness and severe migraines when wearing masks.

There is no way that 50% of the population genuinely cannot wear masks. If we had been told from the start that masks protected us (rather than others) and were the main way of avoiding Covid-19 there would have been far fewer selfish people refusing to wear them.

@Sockwomble

"I've just got back from Spain. Masks are NOT optional there and oddly enough few people seem to have medical conditions that prohibit wearing one"

A quick Google will tell you that Spain has exemptions such as those with breathing difficulties, not being able to put one on and behavioural difficulties in keeping one on.

Yes Sockwomble but that proves the point even more. Despite there being valid medical exemptions in Spain, very few people feel unable to wear masks thus very few people have medical conditions meaning that they cannot wear masks.

They probably darentbleavrke the house, lovely knowing that there are people like you on every corner.

My eldest autistic teen has left the house precisely 4 times since a week before lockdown. He loves social distancing (always has) but masks are a no go for him and he couldn't cope with being questioned. At this rate, it won't be covid that leads to an early death for him.

Darenv't leave.

Fucking autoincorrect

No it doesn't prove the point. If there actually are fewer people without masks about all that proves is that people with conditions that cannot wear masks are not going out.

I have a DC who works in a well-known indoor attraction ( vague I know but it could be outing.)

She and all the staff have been told to encourage mask wearing but to be mindful of hidden disabilities.

DC has come home every day with tales of people refusing to wear a mask because “It’s too hot.”
Or “Don’t tell me what I can or can’t do.”
Or “How dare you tell me what to do.”
Or “ I hate wearing it.”
Or “It’s none of your business.”
Or „ F**k off!”
Hidden disabilities or not, it’s quite clear that mask wearing is not considered important any more .

Makes me wonder how people would react during a mustard gas attack.
And yes I’m being extreme.

[quote onlinelinda]"Fines for refusing to wear a mask could reach a maximum of £3,200 and illegal rave organisers face a £10,000 penalty"

BBC just now.

Coronavirus: Lockdown to ease further in England from Saturday www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53772735[/quote]
But who is enforcing this for masks? The Police certainly aren't.

I couldn't possibly say for raves, I gave them up in the 90s

@Lovely1a2b3c

YANBU at all!

My mum is a medical professional and has to wear full PPE for work even though she does experience dizziness and severe migraines when wearing masks.

There is no way that 50% of the population genuinely cannot wear masks. If we had been told from the start that masks protected us (rather than others) and were the main way of avoiding Covid-19 there would have been far fewer selfish people refusing to wear them.

The only place '50% of the population' are not wearing masks, is in the imagination of people like you.

There aren't many people wandering about without masks in a busy tourist part of Spain at a time when Spain has had an increase in cases? That is not exactly a surprise given that many people who cannot wear masks are clinically vulnerable and/or struggle with busy places. Added to the fact that in some places disability or being different is considered shameful and so people in that group avoid going out.

I could judge that poster for doing something that may spread the virus

95% compliance where I live.

People’s sense of perspective around masks is truly mind boggling. They think that they have a right to be protected from CV on an individual level by every other individual wearing a mask. They don’t. It’s a public health measure. It just requires enough people to wear them which even if there are a few piss takers it seems that they are. I have seen a handful of people without one in the over a month they’ve been compulsory up here.

Plus also there were estimated to be 275 infectious people in Scotland this week. Let’s assume some of those are in care homes or hospital. Some others are symptomatic and quarantining at home. The number of people with this in the community is therefore absolutely tiny in the first place. Yes someone in your local shop without a mask on could be one of the 275 but in a nation of 5.4 million coming across them is pretty unlikely isn’t it. Getting infected by them in the shops even less likely especially if you keep your distance and wash your hands. Some people need to get a grip and learn how to accurately appraise risk.