Older kids not wearing facemasks?

[Cam77]

In a local shop this evening, nice and quiet everyone relaxed and easy social distancing. Suddenly a group of, Id guess, half a dozen 12/13 year olds without masks come in and walk/run here and there, without masks on and everyone is having to try to keep out their way as they have no concept of distancing (or in some cases just don't take it seriously as theyre not in risk group).

What is the logic of older kids, often of a height that puts them on a face level with many adults, not wearing masks inside shops? Many countries even encourage little kids wearing them for the social good.... I know the rule is officially 13 and up but obviously many 13/14 year olds just won't bother.

Feel sorry for the shop staff having to deal with it on daily basis anyway. If youre old enough to go shop surely you can wear a mask for 5-10 minutes to protect older shoppers?

@annabel85

Why expect them to make sacrifices when others will not?

They aren't being asked not to go abroad or drive anywhere though are they, or even to stand in the cinema for the national anthem. It's about a basic level of respect.

Well, obviously not since if they're bloody 12-13 they can't do that anyhow.

There's a lot 'respect' demanded by so many but it's always expected in only one direction.

What I find hilarious is the outrage that would have been happening if 12 months ago teens were walking round in masks hiding their identity and now we have a virus that is no where near as bad as it was 3 months ago were begging them to wear masks . Leave them alone. Masks apparently don't work, oh wait gov changed their mind didn't they. My DC don't wear them unless they feel comfortable. Two are asthmatic that is why but why do they need to broadcast that. You wear a mask and stay away from them that "should" work.

@Bookrat

A lot here who are quick to call others selfish. Kids are aware that it is the older generations who have benefitted from the 'progress' which is bringing the disaster of climate change upon them. Why expect them to make sacrifices when others will not?

Actually that's an interesting point. I don't wholeheartedly agree but there is something to really consider in it.

There's a lot 'respect' demanded by so many but it's always expected in only one direction. Absolutely this!

There's a lot 'respect' demanded by so many but it's always expected in only one direction.
This is exactly my thoughts.

There's a lot 'respect' demanded by so many but it's always expected in only one direction.

A lot of us were brought up to 'respect your elders' and 'Children should be seen and not heard'.

@annabel85

There's a lot 'respect' demanded by so many but it's always expected in only one direction.

A lot of us were brought up to 'respect your elders' and 'Children should be seen and not heard'.

That's nice. I'm glad we don't live in that era anymore. I'm old enough to remember how that mentality resulted in a great deal of systemic and institutionally wide abuse of children that's even now still being uncovered. Glad we've moved past that type of outdated mentality.

@Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd Don't get me wrong I never agreed with the second part, it was how we were brought up, but respect your elders is the cornerstone of a civilised society.

And now we have a virus that is no where near as bad as it was 3 months ago
Where the fuck have you pulled this bit of nonsense from, @oopsiedaisy2?
Do you mean fewer people are dying than at the peak? You are aware that’s exactly because of Lockdown, right? And that now we can go out, social distancing and masks become important. There’s no indication the virus is any less dangerous.
It’s like Y2K all over again. People do loads of stuff to prevent a problem, problem goes away, idiots declare it was never a problem because it didn’t happen...

but respect your elders is the cornerstone of a civilised society.

Not according to some. To some democracy and bodily autonomy are, or not accepting blindly any sweeping dictats like 'respect your elders'.

The young think they are safe from Covid and have scant regard for anyone else. However I think we can all remember those days, the only thing we can do is protect ourselves as best we can.

We live in a society. We pay taxes, consider that benefits and the NHS are a given, and this is alright. In my opinion, this is good. However, the other side of the coin of this society, is that their is a social contract: with the support that comes from it, there comes also some responsibilities and requirements: act as much as possible to protect your fellow citizens. I wear a mask all the time, I do not like it, but I know it is not really for my protection, it is for the people around me.
When I see people that do not bother to mask up, I see people that enjoy their side of the social contract, but cannot be arsed to honor their requirements.
Children without issues can wear a mask above 4 year when in shops. What makes 10yo or more so precious that they cannot do it? Yeah, yeah, SEN, blah blah blah... Fuck shopworkers and older people then?

The peak was effectively before lockdown
Even scientists can’t agree on masks and whether they make a difference or not
Leave the kids alone