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?

When masks were optional about 5% of people where I live wore them. Now it is about 90%. Most people are just getting on with it. There is one shop I won't go in because the social distancing is appalling so you could take your business elsewhere if that level of non mask wearing bothers you.

I was in Majorca at the end of July and over the course of a week I perhaps one adult not wearing a mask where they should have been. Just one. I assumed that the person has a genuine exemption and carried on with my day.

Based on the 99.9999% compliance I witnessed there though I can only assume that either a) they have a much much lower incidence of people being genuinely exempt that we do in the UK or b) the OP is right and a good number of people here are just not bothering.

To anyone that does find them restrictive and uncomfortable though, I'd suggest wearing them for periods of time at home, where it's not obligatory and there's no external stresses to worry about. When I first put mine on to enter the airport I had a few minutes of panicky rapid breathing and not being sure I could wear it for what was going to be about 5 hours until we reached our hotel room, but it stayed on because it had to, and it very quickly became much easier to wear.

Stopped off in Bridlington after visiting family yesterday. Hardly anyone wearing masks and very little social distancing. It didn't feel safe at all.

@HowFastIsTooFast

Thank you for this considered post - I really do believe there is a different culture of compliance in places like Spain, parts of Italy etc ( a friend of mine just returned from there and was fascinating hearing how she saw almost TOTAL mask usage).

I agree with you OP , far too many people not bothering to comply , basically non wearing of masks means " I really couldn't care less about myself or anyone else catching this virus "
Lots of people not wearing them correctly over both the mouth and nose
Just means we have the virus about for longer
I'm defiantly not a sheep but sometimes you all need to comply for the greater good of everyone

@JuniperFather I know it's a pandemic but my God calm yourself down. This government has pulled us from pillar to post, contradicted itself too many times, covid 19 advisors didn't stick to the rules so don't expect others too. The sooner you accept that the better for your own mental health. You comply to the guidelines and let others get on with it. It's very difficult to weed out the piss takers as no one knows anyone's life history.
It's funny how you comply to the government mask wearing policy but don't seem to agree with the long list of exemptions that the government outlined. One rule for you and one rule for others. You remind me of the people who would spy in others people baskets or trolleys to see if they have essential items.
I'm more worried about people dying needlessly due to suicide, loneliness, and delayed treatment as NHS has been effectively shut for everything apart from covid.
But you crack on eyeing up non mask wearers.

Only seen one person not wearing a mask in Lidl, and we shop at both Lidl and Asda. This is in South Yorkshire too.

I have seen loads of plonkers wearing masks with their nose out, or constantly touching their face to pull the mask up and down.

Tbh, I'm ok with people not wearing masks and I won't judge or try to assume their reasons. I'm sure they're genuine.

But please for the love of God, wear your mask properly if you're going to wear one at all.

I haven’t seen anyone not wearing one inside a shop. Plenty take them off as soon as they get out the door or don’t wear if queuing outside etc but always wear inside shops.

I live not so far away and just got back from Sainsbury's and basically everyone was wearing one, which I found quite surprising. That's my first time in a major supermarket since February

[quote myhumps123]@JuniperFather I know it's a pandemic but my God calm yourself down. This government has pulled us from pillar to post, contradicted itself too many times, covid 19 advisors didn't stick to the rules so don't expect others too. The sooner you accept that the better for your own mental health. You comply to the guidelines and let others get on with it. It's very difficult to weed out the piss takers as no one knows anyone's life history.
It's funny how you comply to the government mask wearing policy but don't seem to agree with the long list of exemptions that the government outlined. One rule for you and one rule for others. You remind me of the people who would spy in others people baskets or trolleys to see if they have essential items.
I'm more worried about people dying needlessly due to suicide, loneliness, and delayed treatment as NHS has been effectively shut for everything apart from covid.
But you crack on eyeing up non mask wearers.[/quote]
I'm a pretty easy going person but I think this post is offensive @myhumps123 and let me explain.

calm yourself down - at what point have any of my postings seemed upset? I haven't said I'm "incadescent" or "enraged" or anything? I asked a simple question about our culture in the UK around masks.

This government...has contradicted itself too many times...so don't expect others too (sic) Aha so this is what I was trying to unearth. Places like New Zealand have a sense of trust between the PM, government and populace, which has led to record low infections and good compliance. What you're saying here is that our government messaging has been sclerotic, so we should just say "fuck it" and ignore the latest missive? Ok.

The sooner you accept that the better for your own mental health. That's a low blow talking about mental health so casually. Where in my postings did I suggest my mental health was afflicted by my observations? Why should I just say "fuck it no mask" in order to be mentally happy?

..don't seem to agree with the long list of exemptions Don't twist my words. I said I accept the exemptions in my OP. I have every sympathy for people with genuine disabilities and mental health issues that cannot wear masks.

I'm more worried about people dying needlessly...oh for goodness sake, many of us worry about this. But do we have to practise "whatabouttery" every time someone comes on here with a different opinion? What about famine in Yemen? We could be here all day. I think Im allowed to talk about mask wearers because there is a pandemic in the UK. So i will 'crack on' thanks.

wow.

I went shopping today, for the first time since March at B&M. I was concerned but to be honest every person I saw had a mask on, same at the garden centre when I called in there

However neither were lacked with people, but certainly lots and lots of mask wearers

What is the difference between a disability and a genuine disability?

Optional for me...

Both where I live (Scotland) and where I was last week (Devon) over 99% of people were wearing masks.

I don’t go shopping because I can’t wear a mask, and tbh can’t cope with the changes in shops.

But my partner does, he does the shopping now. He’s said that in Sainsbury’s compliance was very high, despite some people obviously struggling (there was a woman hiding in a corner, pulling her mask down looking stressed, for example). He also said it was very different in Asda, where probably less than half were wearing masks, especially men (both young & old). Shops in neighbouring towns in the midlands.

Incidentally, are you allowed more than one person now? I do have to try to navigate shops at some point in case I need to go, but not a chance I could go without my partner the first few times. I tried just before the mask guidelines came out, but had a bit of a meltdown and just ran 😳. Although the mask thing makes me even more anxious about shops now.

Honestly I hate these people who can but choose not to. It just makes it so much harder for people who genuinely can’t to go out and about - the fear of being confronted about it.

Does the word disability need the word genuine in front of it?

@Sleepyblueocean

What is the difference between a disability and a genuine disability?

I thought someone might be waiting to seize upon this.

All disabilities are inherently genuine in themselves and should not need challenging by anyone in a public space. Indeed the Government have been explicitly clear:

Those who have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering should not be routinely asked to give any written evidence of this, this includes exemption cards. No person needs to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about their reason for not wearing a face covering.

however you can only see from some of the earlier replies, when people with health conditions have braved wearing a mask for their own reasons, to see that this whole thing is rife for interpretation.

I do take umbrage/offence to some people I have read online carefully positioning themselves to a place where they're claiming an "exemption" when they have no pre-existing mental or physical disability, they just feel a bit uncomfortable wearing it. Those people to me are not genuinely in the category of exemption. The pandemic and the requirements of keeping the population safe, demands a certain level of discomfort from us while in public.

@myhumps123

I think you are the one that needs to calm down. You seem to be reading a different post to the rest of us

The op has a point, it’s obvious in continental Europe residents are happy to comply more with requirements. Sadly the UK and US are full of people who think it doesn’t apply to them, and that’s also all the other guidelines that require following

I don’t believe for one minute that we have a higher number of exception cases to other countries, it’s just people don’t think the rules apply to them

Personally I think we should be like continental europe where it is enforced, where lockdown was stricter and well managed by people being challenged, and face coverings should be compulsory, and if you can’t wear a mask a formal exception has to be applied for, detailing history etc, rather than just printing something off the internet

And I have no doubt you are going to hysterically disagree with me, so don’t bother it’s too hot today

Not where I am - nearly everyone is wearing a mask where they should be - ie in shops and yesterday my son got the train to meet friends and when I was waiting outside the station to collect him everyone who went in put a mask on, and everyone who came out had a mask on (one boy had pulled his down to make a beard but it was such a hot day yesterday, i am not surprised he did it as soon as he got out of the nice air conditioned train!)

I think people are following the rules, by and large.

@JuniperFather I am not saying fuck whatever the government wants. I always keep 2 metre distance and always wash and sanitise my hands.
There is a long list of exemptions so yes there will be a handful of people without masks, so what's the problem. Who are you to judge who looks likely to be flounting the rules?
You can only control your behaviour, not anyone elses.
More people are outraged about non mask wearers then the elderly that were sent back to care homes to spread covid.

"I thought someone might be waiting to seize upon this."

It is the phrasing that a GF uses.

You are completely missing the point of a hidden disability. This is exactly what people who have hidden disabilities have been saying for YEARS. You ever so kindly finished your post by passing down your approval to the people who really have a HD, and aren't faking it like the bastards you saw in the local shop.

How did you occupy your time before mask policing became so popular? Maybe revisit that.

@NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite

100% compliance now in both M&S stores nearest me. About 40% compliance in Asda. About 90% compliance in Sainsbury's.

I think it just depends on the area. Most of those in Asda in a poorer area a few miles away were BAME so I don't know if it's a cultural thing as it was right across age groups. Not going there again. Will stick to M&S.

This is what I'm finding. I've been to Kenilworth and Leamington in the last few days and I don't think I saw anybody not wearing a mask in the shops I went in. Both areas are very affluent

I then went to a Lidl and ASDA in Coventry, lots of no mask wearers

Not my experience either. Mask wearing was practically 100%

Maybe it depends on the shop, but when ive been to waitrose or sainsburys, i rarely see an adult without a mask now thankfully.