Masks

[WestLondon333]

Hi,

This is my first post so please be kind. I know this is a "delicate" subject but I thought this might be a good platform to ask people to please think twice before being angry when they are out.

I just want to say that not everyone that doesn't wear a mask is a "selfish bastard", some people have very serious health issues.

Let me give you my example... DH has terminal cancer which unsurprisingly come with shortness of breath as well as a hundred other things. We are trying to live as normal a life as possible for our children but are seeing increased anger towards DH who can only wear a mask for short periods of time as he cannot breathe properly.

I don't know if anyone else is seeing a general decline in kindness from people but I am seeing it more and more and even if this post makes just one person stop and think before saying something unkind to someone who may really be in trouble with their physical or mental health (or both!) then I'll be a happier woman.

@PlanDeRaccordement it’s not as simplistic as writing it off as satisfying intolerant and ablest people. Wearing a mask (generally) isn’t about protecting yourself, it’s about protecting others. One persons’ right to privacy doesn’t supersede another’s right to safety.

People have a right to life and the right to safety. People have the right not to be discriminated against. In a pandemic these are going to clash.

A further example is we have a right to privacy and family life, and also the right to life. Again this is going to clash in a pandemic.

It’s quite shameful how easily other countries have managed the mask “issue” just fine compared to U.K.

It’s quite shameful how easily other countries have managed the mask “issue” just fine compared to U.K.

I don’t agree U.K. has any need to feel shame for its mask rules. Yes many countries didn’t allow any exemptions, but that is ableist and discriminatory towards those who can’t wear masks. Do you seriously think that more of police state under autocratic rules is better?

I live in a USA state that has had mask wearing enforcement for months.
There are legal medical exceptions.

The emphasis though in the media in all forms is wearing masks to protect others.
It means that we have 96% compliance with mask wearing.
It isn't a magic wand but it helps, my dc have been in school solidly since the summer term.

If there was higher levels of mask wearing in the UK then the exceptions could be medically mandated and would be recognized as legitimate exceptions.
People unable to wear a mask would also be more protected by the mask wearing public.

@PlanDeRaccordement they should because a year on we’re still using a watering can to put out a house fire.

I don’t know of any democratic countries that provided no exemptions, but instead provided for exemption certs. We’ve failed to do.

Your comments are hugely inflammatory to people who have lived through dictatorships and autocracies - because you’re being asked to wear a mask to protect other people? Really? Police state?

[quote KatieGGGG]@PlanDeRaccordement they should because a year on we’re still using a watering can to put out a house fire.

I don’t know of any democratic countries that provided no exemptions, but instead provided for exemption certs. We’ve failed to do.

Your comments are hugely inflammatory to people who have lived through dictatorships and autocracies - because you’re being asked to wear a mask to protect other people? Really? Police state?[/quote]
Well I did not know which “countries” you were referring to in your post. It seemed to me you were admiring the countries that had no exemptions at all.

You’re twisting my words. Being asked to wear a mask to protect others as in the UK is not police state. But a country with no exemptions that criminalises and fines/imprisons anyone not wearing a mask would be more police state than the U.K. is.

There are people who cannot wear a mask. The problem is they are vastly outnumbered by people who won’t wear a mask

How do you know that?

Well looking at areas where mask wearing is much more encouraged but exceptions are possible and comparing it too the UK situation would suggest that.
As I mentioned medical exemptions to mask wearing are allowed where I live but mask wearing is at 96%.
Suggesting that 4% is reasonable figure of people who are unable rather than unwilling to wear a mask.

Ds was sent to the co-op yesterday. He said that a whole bunch of workmen came in for sandwiches and none were wearing a mask. It would be a stretch to believe they were all exempt, would it not?

Indeed it would - I went into a branch of Subway recently where a group of three youngish tradesmen were getting their lunch. None was wearing a mask. They just don't want to. I stood as far away from them as I could. In hindsight I should have walked out. The young guy serving told me he was afraid to challenge people like that.

@Pipandmum

If i see someone without a mask i assume there's a reason. It's those who do not wear them properly that are annoying.

I've never quite got this logic. Maybe they are exempt, but can manage having it over their mouth but not their nose and they do that because they think a) it will avoid them being challenged as much, and b) they think its better than nothing.

In fact now I think about it, nearly all the people I have seen not wearing masks have been young men. I've seen a small number of young women not wearing masks too.