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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to say that if you won't wear masks and/or keep distance from others in public spaces you should stay at home

178 replies

CaptainMonkey · 26/08/2020 22:32

... and leave the rest of us to get on with the work of figuring out how to open up social spaces in a safe way without being distracted by your egocentric tedious freedom fighting? Why do you want to crowd people and breathe all over them anyway? If you don't want to be out and about without doing so, just stay at home. We've got enough to do right now and don't need your nonsense.

OP posts:
nancy75 · 27/08/2020 09:25

@GlummyMcGlummerson

Not everyone can wear a mask, and they shouldn't stay cooped up inside until the mask bullies feel they can be set free
Not everyone can wear a mask, but they can still keep their distance. I hate wearing the masks but I’m doing it - if you’re not wearing one (for any reason) I want you to stay 2 meters from me. I think that’s a reasonable request
itsgettingweird · 27/08/2020 09:26

Agree.

I'm not suggesting mask wearing is some kind of 2020 fashion accessory I'm pleased to have added!

But there are guidelines. There are vulnerable people about who deserve to also have a life.

Just do it. Let's get through this.

The more we adhere the quicker it'll be.

contrmary · 27/08/2020 09:27

I wear one because I have to but minimise the time spent in shops as much as possible.

Masks are of limited use - it's safer to be maskless but 2m away from anyone than closer but wearing a mask. All masks do is limit the distance that droplets can spread. There are also concerns with the type of mask; some materials can actually make the droplets smaller and therefore spread them more readily than when no mask is worn at all.

I8toys · 27/08/2020 09:29

Its not in my town no - but I've just been to Dubrovnik and Split. Shared a submersible submarine with a bunch of Germans - probably sat to next to many nationalities and been to two airports.

I could have bought it back to my small market town. And I still wore masks everywhere - 4 hours on a catamaran, sanitized and tried to socially distance. So I've tried to follow advice.

So its not here now but it could be brought back by anyone who has been abroad. So be aware when you go shopping.

Pobblebonk · 27/08/2020 09:32

@Teal99

I will keep my distance gladly, but wear a mask? No. If that is not enough, you stay at home. Me not wearing a mask and social distancing at the height of the pandemic was enough, now a mask is a placebo for those who have caught The Fear.
Disclaimer: I do wear masks when I'm out because I feel I have no reason not to.

However, I disagree with people who suggest this post is "beyond selfish". If distancing without wearing masks was fine when the infection was at its height, why is a mask so essential now for people who fully intend to continue distancing?

Bupkis · 27/08/2020 09:36

why is a mask so essential now for people who fully intend to continue distancing?

Because more places are open now, shielding is paused or ended for most children and so thete are more vulnerable people out and about, and because the government should probably have introduced it earlier but they were too busy cocking stuff up.

Try to stay 2m apart
Maintain good hand hygeine
Wear a mask

...why is that so bloody hard

Polkasquare · 27/08/2020 09:40

@lanthanum

I wonder whether any of the supermarkets have considered having designated times when mask-wearing is compulsory. That way they would still be providing for those who cannot/will not, but those who are more nervous can opt to shop at a time when they know everyone else will be masked.
But it is compulsory.
RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 27/08/2020 09:51

But it is compulsory

Apart from People with exemptions and those who won’t wear Them

Kaiserin · 27/08/2020 09:51

I wear a mask for the same reasons I don't drink and drive:

  • it's safer for everyone
  • it's the law
  • it's the polite and respectful thing to do
Doccomplaint · 27/08/2020 09:53

But it is compulsory

Apart from this who are exempt.

Doccomplaint · 27/08/2020 09:54

*those

Kaiserin · 27/08/2020 09:54

If distancing without wearing masks was fine when the infection was at its height
It wasn't fine. Why do you think the peak was so long and went so high in the UK, compared to neighbouring countries which introduced masks earlier?
The government U-turned, but didn't go as far as admitting their previous advice on not wearing masks was shit. It was shit.

thedaywewillremeber · 27/08/2020 09:59

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Doccomplaint · 27/08/2020 10:02

@thedaywewillremeber

Yes definitely I understand some people can’t wear masks for health reasons however they should think about whether they really need to be in non essential shops if not wearing one. Social distancing seems to be completely forgotten about unfortunately.
I am allowed in non essential shops without a mask. I don’t need to think about it. Forcing me to think whether I need to be there is disablist.
Alabamawhirly1 · 27/08/2020 10:06

Yabu - you have no right to tell people when they can leave their house and under what circumstances.

We live in a society. You can't control what other people do. If you don't like how others behave, change your behaviour, or start your own little community where everyone walks around in hasmats.

As for "we've got work to do" what "work" have you got to do 😅. You make it sound like you're rebuilding the nation after an apocalypse. Your just going back to nornal life but with a mask on, get over yourself.

SantaClaritaDiet · 27/08/2020 10:07

YANBU

It's high time we start fining people heavily when they refuse to wear a bloody mask. I get a fine for not wearing my seat belt, and that impacts a lot less on you if I am sent crashing through my own windscreen!

I feel so sorry for the people who are at risk, wear a mask because that's all they can do but are having to put away with the selfish arrogant wankers who think they are superior.

The lockdown was only necessary in the first place because of these people! and it was impossible to trust them to do the responsible thing - clearly. They are the ones who screwed up our economy and life. Of course they followed the lockdown, they had no choice, but it's on them.

The government refuse to take measures so these selfish imbeciles take masks and distancing seriously, so is also a lot to blame.

Doccomplaint · 27/08/2020 10:09

It's high time we start fining people heavily when they refuse to wear a bloody mask.

How do you know I don’t have an exemption?

Disablist comment.

BonnesVacances · 27/08/2020 10:10

Oh the insouciance of those with health privilege!

There are proper arseholes on this thread. I can only imagine how delightful you must be in real life! Grin

Teal99 · 27/08/2020 10:17

Teal99
I will keep my distance gladly, but wear a mask? No. If that is not enough, you stay at home. Me not wearing a mask and social distancing at the height of the pandemic was enough, now a mask is a placebo for those who have caught The Fear. 

Beyond selfish.

I have been called worse!! I am not at all bothered by the panickers amongs us feeling unprotected. That is their problem. I have no fear of wearing a mask, I just won't go along with the madness. Instead of worrying about covid, worry about those people who have had their cancer ops delayed. Guy on This Morning as I type had his surgery halted and his diagnosis is dire now. Or the numbers of calls to domestic violence helplines or those ringing in to helplines about mental health.

Masks are just one more thing to divide us. So many issues in recent years that have caused great division. We are all dealing things in the best way we can, but being nasty and telling people that they should have counselling because they are not mask compliant is wrong on many levels. People have their reasons why not, medical and from a sceptic point of view.

itsgettingweird · 27/08/2020 10:17

Actually the whole "dedicated non mask hour" in a supermarket isn't such a bad idea.
They had vulnerable and elderly and disabled slots before.
We had nhs dedicated time's.

My ds js autistic. He tied a mask but ended up getting so anxious it didn't work.

But he also feels so self conscious not wearing one - I think people who can't would feel much better having a time they feel free to shop without judgement.

kwest · 27/08/2020 10:21

I wear a mask, not because I believe that they are necessary but I’ll do what I’m told!
BUT I find it very concerning that there’s been no mention of when this mask wearing will be reviewed. I certainly don’t want to wear one any longer than I have to.

SantaClaritaDiet · 27/08/2020 10:25

@Doccomplaint

It's high time we start fining people heavily when they refuse to wear a bloody mask.

How do you know I don’t have an exemption?

Disablist comment.

How do the police knows you have a medical exemption about seat belt? (yes, that's a thing...)

How is that disabilist exactly?

Monkeynuts18 · 27/08/2020 10:25

I have a reusable masks. Because the disposable ones are horrific for the environment. I don’t wash it after every use or keep it in sterile conditions. It mostly lives in my pocket or handbag.

I’m guessing if I actually had the virus it would be worse than a waste of time.

Doccomplaint · 27/08/2020 10:27

The exemptions for seatbelts are official medical exemptions certified by a doctor and you get a certificate to show the police if stopped.

Masks you don’t.

Therefore, your comment that I should be fined just for not wearing a mask is disablist.

SantaClaritaDiet · 27/08/2020 10:32

@Teal99

Teal99 I will keep my distance gladly, but wear a mask? No. If that is not enough, you stay at home. Me not wearing a mask and social distancing at the height of the pandemic was enough, now a mask is a placebo for those who have caught The Fear. 

Beyond selfish.

I have been called worse!! I am not at all bothered by the panickers amongs us feeling unprotected. That is their problem. I have no fear of wearing a mask, I just won't go along with the madness. Instead of worrying about covid, worry about those people who have had their cancer ops delayed. Guy on This Morning as I type had his surgery halted and his diagnosis is dire now. Or the numbers of calls to domestic violence helplines or those ringing in to helplines about mental health.

Masks are just one more thing to divide us. So many issues in recent years that have caused great division. We are all dealing things in the best way we can, but being nasty and telling people that they should have counselling because they are not mask compliant is wrong on many levels. People have their reasons why not, medical and from a sceptic point of view.

Why do you think it has to be one against the other? The longer we drag on about Covid and childishly refuse to take measures that lighten the restrictions, the quicker other issues will be dealt with!

You are beyond selfish, because you look down at people with health issues who are worried rightly, as they ARE at risk. I am not. I am young, fit and slim enough that I am not in the worst category. I might get Covid and die, no one is immune, but I can get run over too. My kids are going to school, mixing with hundreds of over children, but our life is pretty much back to normal

apart from the quarantine and holiday plans

If you don't want to wear a mask, stay home, and stay away from society. It's not more madness than imposing for people to wear clothes and shoes and having a certain behaviour. We have rules, always had, and they change over time. This is one time. It's not the first, it won't be the last!

No one cares if you have grand idea, if you don't want to fit in, you stay away. If you want to be naked to go shopping, you stay away (or find a community with the same mind), same thing!