To want to know when we can stop wearing face masks?

[ihatefacemasks]

That's about the size of it. I loathe the bastarding things for every possible reason. Obviously I have to wear them because I don't have a reason not to (I could perfectly easily pretend, in order to obtain exemption, though this would seem unfair on the people who genuinely can't wear them). But AIBU to want to know when we will be allowed to stop with this nonsense? Does the R rate have to reach a certain target? Does there have to be a vaccination? WTF will make a difference? Why has nobody given us any indication?

Not long*

Prepare yourself for the long haul. I think probably another year from now. Create and approve a vaccine, manufacture a vaccine in huge quantities and administer to a large proportion of the population.

I am now wearing one for prolonged periods at work and they do get easier. I realise people touch them and ‘contaminate’ their hands but this happens regardless because people touch their face all the time and this is why people shouldn’t forget about hand washing. Even with this the reduction of droplets in the air is important and has been correlated with reducing transmission and keeping r rates lower.

Ok the @bibbitybobbitycats try lying in bed fighting to breathe whilst desperately trying to get through to someone on 111 only you cant because hundreds of other poor fuckers are doing the same. Or fighting to breathe whilst you are told an ambulance will be sent to you as soon as one is available but they are very, very busy right now. Or being on oxygen on hospital watching people deteriorate and die around you.

They absolutely do not reduce transmission by 70-80%. I'd be much happier about it if I thought they were actually making us safer...

@fwwaftp and @slashlover Thanks for reminding me. I forgot to add to my list "when there have been enough masked robberies, or other crimes, masks will become optional". There have been one or two masked robberies in shops reported; there will be more.

The abuse and aggression on MN towards those who think wearing masks is the right thing to do (and that the scientists have it right) by far exceeds anything said by the latter to the people who don't want to wear one.

Ooh thank goodness for a mask thread! I haven't seen a new one for 36 seconds.

I wear them for 12 hours a day in retail, currently 7 days a week. No air con. I asked this and was told today, 'at least six months is the estimation'

I think that there are some people who see themselves as rebellious questioners , they sneer at others that they think are sheep and who don’t have their superior intelligence.

They toddle off back to their suburban semis and pat themselves on the back because they are freedom fighters against the MASK.

No one else has their critical thinking powers and people who just get on with it for the greater good are stupid rule followers.

I don’t think there is going to be anything concrete any time soon about when any social distancing etc measures will end because there is no real way of knowing . It’s all shit but it is what it is for now !

I think people are being a bit unfair to OP. Regardless of your personal views on masks, and people who do or don't wear them, I think it is completely valid to ask what our specific aim is. Initially we were told it was to flatten the curve. That happened. Now it's just "stop the spread". Fine, happy to comply as I don't want to be in any way responsible for spreading this virus around knowing full well that it will kill a percentage of the people who catch it. But these are supposed to be emergency temporary measures with a clear aim in mind. "Stop the spread" as a statement on it's own is actually very vague and I don't think it's so awful for someone to simply ask questions about what our goals are in taking on these emergency measures. There should be a point at which all this extra governmental power is relinquished. That's how these emergency measures work. If there isn't then we are just saying that this is how government works now and if you even so much as question it, whilst still following the rules, then you're a bad person and no one has to answer questions from you. That's a bit scary.

@ihatefacemasks

Ugh. I object to them so strongly on all conceivable grounds. Especially as there's no indication of how long we are stuck with them for. It's a terrible precedent: any ridiculous nonsense could be decreed by the government, with no exit strategy, and we would just have to go along with it. It is almost unbelievable.

YANBU x a million I hate the fucking stupid things

I'm medically exempt due to anxiety and past trauma. but still wear them if I HAVE to shop lest I end up in a police cell for twatting the inevitable cunt who gives me grief for not wearing one

Mumsnet is full of mask lovers and corona hysterics so you'll be told you are U. You're not though at all

@mynameisnotmichaelcaine, do you have any links? Because I can only find various studies (Nature/Science/Oxford/the Lancet) showing that they significantly reduce the risk.

As I understand it the requirements on wearing masks are more strict in both France and Spain. The current case load suggests it’s not a silver bullet. There were 5 cases in my entire London borough last week. It’s not ridiculous to wonder if mask wearing is actually productive when the case levels are so low.

Now they are seen as normal I will continue to wear them in built up places, especially in flu season. I have worn them in Asia but always felt awkward here.

And those who do just get on with wearing a mask are automatically assumed to be mask police who shout abuse at others for not wearing masks. Because that helps the rebel narrative- except that most people don’t. They just get on with it and do something more productive with their time.

@TitsOutForHarambe Good points 👍🏻

I think people will wear them every flu season, out of choice, long after CV has gone. I like that it has become culturally acceptable in the UK. I dont see why its an issue unless you work in an environment you have to wear one all day

Mumsnet is full of mask lovers and corona hysterics
Spoken like a true moon howler. Who’s so clever they know the real truth
You know stuff govt won’t tell us little folk,but fear not you’ve got all the hysterics and mask lovers noted. You’re sooooo clever

@ScorpioSphinxInACalicoDress

The abuse and aggression on MN towards those who think wearing masks is the right thing to do (and that the scientists have it right) by far exceeds anything said by the latter to the people who don't want to wear one.

Yeah, we're all just brainwashed sheep who worship Boris Johnson and are perfectly happy to be controlled and wear muzzles/nappies and are incapable of thinking for ourselves and need to be enlightened. Baa baa fucking baa.

And no, before anyone asks, I don't harass people for not wearing one because for all I know they might have a legit reason for not wearing one. But I've never seen so much freaking out about masks as I have on Mumsnet. The vast majority of people I know just get on with it.

I assume measures will be relaxed when the numbers of dead go down.

@BogRollBOGOF

I think it is reasonable to want to know an end point of these temporary measures. Either as a point of time or an outcome.

For many people they are far more than an uncomfortable inconvenience and are a major source of mental or physical discomfort, exacerbated by the fear of not conforming because of the shitty, judgemental and often disablist attitudes of too many sanctimonious members of society.

This 👏👏👏

And I'm not a 'mask lover', any more than I love washing my hands. Wtf.

weve just started how will anyone know when we can stop

theyre not exactly going to say ovct 15 at 3pm are they