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?

Odd, isn't it, that those in Vietnam, China and Italy don't seem to suffer from the same type of trauma or illness that prevents those in the UK from wearing a mask

Or maybe those people just don't go anywhere it's required. I have a letter from a consultant saying I'm exempt (and trying to desensentise nearly got me sectioned earlier this year) but I don't go anywhere masks are mandatory. I can't function in a mask and I'm not willing to risk being challenged. Haven't been in a shop since mid march and we're focusing on doing outdoor activities with the children. It's saving us a fortune. Obviously if masks stay mandatory when dh returns to the office, I may have to risk it at some point but I'd much rather not.

@Iloveanimals1

I’m not currently living in the U.K.; I’m in China. Here everyone wears masks on public transport - no mask, no entry. So it’s fine if you have a disability and can’t wear a mask but you can’t use public transport. It’s easy to understand and easy to implement.

That's nice. Thankfully we have laws in the UK that prevent the disabled from being deprived of basic things like using public transport. You just stay in China if you think their way is best - perhaps many of the people on this and other mask threads would like to come and join you.

From personal observation in supermarkets and my local high street, I'd say mask compliance where I am (Newcastle) is probably around 95% if not higher.

Iloveanimals1- I’m not currently living in the U.K.; I’m in China. Here everyone wears masks on public transport - no mask, no entry. So it’s fine if you have a disability and can’t wear a mask but you can’t use public transport. It’s easy to understand and easy to implement

Fabulous! Why on earth haven't we thought of this!? It's all so EASY after all!

Jesus Christ.

it would be almost funny if it weren't for the fact that there'll be posters here nodding enthusiastically along with Iloveanimalsbutdon'tgiveashitaboutpeoplewithadisability.

If masks are so amazing and all people in China wear them all the time because they are so “caring “ and “considerate” how come the virus took hold and spread there in the first place?

Perhaps if they had the same “care” and “consideration” to animal husbandry we wouldn’t be in this mess.

I does make me laugh when people keep lauding China as a paragon of mask wearing virtue, I mean wtf??

This isn’t my experience. Compliance in the shops I’ve been to has been really high.

I've noticed compliance seems to correlate with what time I shop around here. During working hours there's high compliance (more sick & elderly out shopping?). Outside working hours much lower compliance.

I wear one but I'm not sold on the idea that a virus with over 99% survival rate warrants all of this hysteria. I'm continually faffing with it though & never have it over my nose. Brings back too many memories of almost choking on dust after a bombing back in my late 80s Army days. Horses for courses, it's best just to get on with your own thing & leave everyone else to theirs.

People who say they don't trust the govt line on this but perfectly happy to toe the totally arbitrary 2m line

Also the government has said diametrically opposite things on mask wearing and one of them was clearly led by the motive of scarceness of supply

I can't see the motive in this "lie"

Teal99 excellent post, totally agree. In my opinion masks are a massive placebo, but you can bang on and on about the lack of actual scientific evidence and the fact that there is not one single randomised controlled trial on masks, particularly home-made cloth ones, but you will still get told you are selfish to question things.

@Iloveanimals1

I’m not currently living in the U.K.; I’m in China. Here everyone wears masks on public transport - no mask, no entry. So it’s fine if you have a disability and can’t wear a mask but you can’t use public transport. It’s easy to understand and easy to implement.

Ah, so the person who has just given me a load of abuse in co-op would certainly subscribe to this.

Apparently now I'm a "Fucking Superspreader!!". That's a new one to add to the collection. Let's see what I can pick up tomorrow.

@JuniperFather join the Covid police ....

Do people seriously have nothing better in their lives to be wondering why others are not wearing masks?!

What did you busy your self with beige mask wearing?

Are you a curtain twitcher too?

Beige! Before

There's little point in a mask if you're not covering your nose.

[quote yawnsvillex]@JuniperFather join the Covid police ....

Do people seriously have nothing better in their lives to be wondering why others are not wearing masks?!

What did you busy your self with beige mask wearing?

Are you a curtain twitcher too?[/quote]
@yawnsvillex what a ridiculous comment. It is not difficult to see who is wearing a mask or not with a quick glance. Are you by chance one of those special people who thinks they are above mask wearing?

Why are anti mask posts being deleted - if people don't believe in them, they should have the right to say so..

@myhumps123

Not this BS again. You wear your mask with pride and keep your nose out. Yes people are wearing them in continental Europe, Asia but we are in the the UK. You would be surprised how many people have some sort of disability, or past trauma. I don't wear a mask on, from the face of it you would think I'm taking the mickey but the reason I can't wear it on is due to childhood trauma. I would say most people think I'm flounting the rules as I look perfectly healthy and normal. As long as I observe the 2 metres distance and clean my hands what's the problem.

So how come there are so few exceptions in Europe and Asia? It's because everyone in the UK is 'so special' and needs to feel exceptional.

Bullshit ‘everyone’ I just came back from the supermarket and I saw only one person not wearing a mask and she had the lanyard.

My personal opinion is that if you are close enough to someone else to need to rely on one or both of you wearing masks, you are too close anyway. I make it my business to keep my distance, and to distance myself from anyone who gets too close to me.

I wear a mask in the circumstances where I am obliged to. I don’t really notice who else does or doesn’t. That’s their business, not mine.

I am not convinced about mask wearing but I wear one when I have to. My sister in law has made me some very colourful ones which makes it slightly better. The one I had before felt like having a nappy on your face and was very sweaty.

As far as compliance with wearing masks is concerned I am in Northumberland and have found that compliance in supermarkets is probably about 98%. I don't know what it's like on public transport but petrol stations and takeaways also seem to have the same compliance rate.

I am special @AntiHop I don't want to wear one so I don't. Fine me ... big fucking deal

I nipped into B&M the other day and completely forgot my mask - I keep it in my car so there was really no excuse other than I totally forgot to put it on. I didn't realise until I noticed half the shop glaring at me. I made my purchases quickly and apologised to the cashier who - thank god - was really kind about it.
I don't know how these people, who deliberately do not wear their masks, can swagger around so shamelessly. I was mortified. It does seem to be teenagers who are flouting the mask requirements though (in my experience anyway).

@Saucy99 it is because Britian is soft and its people selfish. No one gives a hoot about their peers and their surroundings.

@yawnsvillex

I am special *@AntiHop* I don't want to wear one so I don't. Fine me ... big fucking deal

Well, hats off to you in one way, at least you had the balls to say it.