To ask if you don't wear a mask - why?

[FrostyChocolateMilkshake]

Had a gin or two, and reflecting on my day whilst watching shit films on Netflix.

Been food shopping to Morrisons today. Saw a handful of people not wearing masks, nor a lanyard indicating they are exempt.

They might have had their own legitimate reasons for not wearing a mask. But then again...they might not!

So...on an anonymous forum, I would like to ask...if you don't wear a mask, why do you choose not to?

FWIW I don't mean those of you who are exempt for medical reasons. Just those of you who simply don't want to wear one, I'm curious why.

P.S please don't shout at me for creating a covid-related thread on here!

@StepOutOfLine

I'm sure once the pandemic is over, there'll be a special study about how random Mumsnetters knew more about the science behind masks than the WHO and the medical profession since time immemorial. It could be combined with another study as to any connection between the sheer number of "exempt" people in the UK compared to, well, almost anywhere else and the fact that the UK's figures are so much worse than anywhere else.

I am now imagining a scientist on their day off rearing through this, taking notes and wondering about how to set a proposal😁

@sparklingbrook I hope I don't cause a bloody bun fight! I am feeling tender this morning (too much gin last night haha)
Thanks for being polite btw with your posts rather than just flaming me and running.

I wear a mask. The actual requirement is a face covering, so a scarf covering the mouth and nose, or a snood, which some of those who don't like masks may find more comfortable.

Amazingly no-one in Munich when I was there in September had any of the conditions that some people in the UK have, or claim to have.

"I wear one so I don’t get hassled by the mask police but I make sure it’s under my nose so that I can breathe"

People who do this really get my goat. My DH had asthma but still manages to wear it properly.

Tbh there are very few places that you would have to wear it for a prolonged time atm.

My DH has asthma but still wears it

Amazingly no-one in Munich when I was there in September had any of the conditions that some people in the UK have, or claim to have.

My family in EU country was surprised at se article about masks in uk and pics of people in shops without masks.
They said that in all that time they met handful of people without masks in shop because you have to provide proof like a letter from a gp (which standard healthcare system somehow manages to provide there...) So no one looks at you not wearing mask and thinks you are taking a piss. It's better atmosphere for the everyone.
Obviously there were some issues at the begining before the system worked out properly how to.

I fit FFP3 respirators for NHS staff in hospitals.

Face coverings do not stop the spread of covid, only properly fitting respirators do-when worn correctly, they filter out 99% of particulates. They need to be fitted and tested by individuals with accredited training so buying a bunch of FFP3s off ebay that are tight fitting is not sufficient.

Face coverings lessen the spread of airborne droplets, hence why flu numbers have decreased but they do not protect the wearer. Even surgical masks are insufficient in reducing covid spread, hence why so many NHS staff have been so ill. FFP3s are currently only mandated to be worn in certain instances so even if a covid positive patient is coughing, staff are only wearing the blue masks and are at risk.

I wear my face covering for a quiet life but am tired of the inconsistency of these "rules" and their slapdash enforcement. I imagine people will try their luck in not wearing them and seeing how far shop staff will challenge them - I've noticed that it's shops without security where mask wearing is reduced.

Yes there are very few conditions that genuinely affect the ability to wear a mask. Trigeminal Neuralgia perhaps, or a severe learning disability, but the rest is nonsense. People just don’t want to and think that trumps others rights to protection.

I suspect a correlation between Brexit vote and non compliance with mask wearing. Actually, it’s more than a suspicion as prominent Brexiteers are also prominent Covid19 deniers and anti-maskers.

Oxford’s Leverhulme Centre Has a study that clearly shows effectiveness in reducing transmission. Clearly others know better because they don’t want to believe the evidence.

Mainly it’s a very selfish ‘me, me, me’ attitude.

@Awwlookatmybabyspider

I was under the impression that unless you're medically exempt through a physical condition or due to a traumatic event then you had to wear a mask. I didn't think it was an option not to. .

Well technically there is because all you have to do is buy a sunflower lanyard or say you're exempt.

I don't know anyone who refuses point blank except 1 person who's been on PC matches etc. But she has very mild asthma and so says she's except from that. She wears one to work though as care sector!

You can breath through a mask no problem. I am medically exempt but in my work I wear full ppe fask mask vizor gloves etc. You get use to it and I wear them up to 12 hour shifts. I'm a care assistant

At least if someone doesn't wear a mask you know to stay well clear of them. Its people who wear one incorrectly that boil my blood - it goes OVER your nose not underneath it.

Seriously how stupid and self centred are some people to not wear a mask correctly?

Actually wearing it under your nose is worse than not wearing one. Because you are constantly touching it, taking it on and off so anything on your hands or that others breathe out gets on the outside of your mask. Which you are then tucking nice and snug under your nose, right against your airway ready to breathe in.

My Ex doesn't wear one because "no-one is telling me what to do"......he's a selfish twat and doesn't care about his elderly parents or DD.

He has asthma and weight problems so probably should be wearing a mask for his own sake.

I don’t think they work but I wear one when I have to, I keep a mask in my coat pocket. So I’m not wearing a new one every time but hey, I’m complying.

Someone on Mumsnet once accused me of murdering grannies because I don’t think masks really do anything. Some people really seem to think you need to believe in masks for them to work. I’m wearing it when I go to a supermarket, what more do you want, blood?

@rattymcratrat

My Ex doesn't wear one because "no-one is telling me what to do"......he's a selfish twat and doesn't care about his elderly parents or DD.

He has asthma and weight problems so probably should be wearing a mask for his own sake.

But people keep telling me on Mumsnet that “masks don’t protect you, they protect others, I can’t believe you don’t know this by now.”

Yet some studies show that masks provide some benefit to the wearer or a lot of benefit. Other studies think that masks don’t provide any or little benefit to anybody.

🤷🏻‍♀️

Oxford’s Leverhulme Centre Has a study that clearly shows effectiveness in reducing transmission. Clearly others know better because they don’t want to believe the evidence

This study was a review of existing observational studies and didn’t used evidence-based methodology for its recommendations. It should not be used to say that mask wearing works, sorry.

Because I do not have a nose

Oh yes I've had that lecture as well. But if someone was to sneeze in my vicinity I would rather be wearing a mask than not!

DH works on a military base. Almost all of his team and recruits have Covid despite masks, hand washing and distancing.

@UsedUpUsername

Oxford’s Leverhulme Centre Has a study that clearly shows effectiveness in reducing transmission. Clearly others know better because they don’t want to believe the evidence

This study was a review of existing observational studies and didn’t used evidence-based methodology for its recommendations. It should not be used to say that mask wearing works, sorry.

Here you go, this might help.

www.pnas.org/content/118/4/e2014564118

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7253999/

www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3021/rr-5

Now show me your evidence base that proves masks worn properly by an entire population does not reduce respiratory transmission?

I for one think it’s great that even with everyone not wearing masks, the numbers of cases and deaths are falling. 👍🏻

@notangelinajolie

You can't chose to not wear a mask. The only people not wearing a mask are those who are medically exempt.

Well that’s very naive. Plenty of sad Covid deniers out there not wearing them.

Understanding that minute differences when multiplied across billions of people mean huge overall differences is far beyond many people. It's the same mentality that impedes energy conservation

It's also the same lack of comprehension that allows pandemic illnesses to spread in the first place

It's the tiny percentage differences that any individual can make that matter, it's not one single act or remedy that solves it

@Donoteatthekittens

I for one think it’s great that even with everyone not wearing masks, the numbers of cases and deaths are falling. 👍🏻

Waot when everything fully reopens

CherryRoulade

You appear to know the difference between a RCT and a non-RCT study so why did you send links to studies/reviews that are observational (or even worse, based in models)?

From one of the links you sent:

Therefore, we should not be surprised to find that there is no RCT for the impact of masks on community transmission of any respiratory infection in a pandemic

The second link in particular is useless, comparing the West and Asia. How can you possibly control for any number of confounding variables?!

@StripeyDeckchair

At least if someone doesn't wear a mask you know to stay well clear of them. Its people who wear one incorrectly that boil my blood - it goes OVER your nose not underneath it.

Seriously how stupid and self centred are some people to not wear a mask correctly?

Agreed. I can't stand seeing people wearing them under their noses. If you're exempt you're exempt but under nose wearers are taking the piss.