To think NO young people should not have to wear masks for hours on end

[Cryingatkfc]

Just that really I’ve just been in KFC and I saw all the young people (17-21ish) all wearing masks presumably because they had to. Aibu to think it’s frankly ridiculous to expect them to wear masks for hours on end in a boiling hot kitchen and it makes it far harder to do the job?

Why are 17-21 year olds more special than other adults?

I agree. It must be really horrible for them and anyone else working in a hot environment (regardless of age).

Its not just young people, anyone unless exempt in many workplaces have to wear a mask for long shifts, myself included, I also work in a non Air conditioned kitchen, I understand it but damn its uncomfortable!

My DD is 22 and works in a similar environment. Most of her workmates aren't following the rules. If it helps protect her at work, then she's happy to wear a mask. She had Covid and it hit her hard. She's had both jabs now, though.

Do you think it's any easier if pregnant or menopausal? Retail isn't as hot, but stacking shelves and moving stock makes it as difficult.

I left my job last year in part because of this. My job was physically strenuous and I felt like I couldn’t get enough air in my lungs when I had increased exertion. I always had awful migraines after my shifts too. I don’t need a mask for any length of time in my new job and feel much better.

@Cryingatkfc Don’t really see why they are any different tbh!! I work in retail. Shop in direct sunlight all day with floor to ceiling windows. It’s boiling!! Specialist shoe shop so was up and down on hands and knees fitting shoes all day. Had to work 10h shifts on my feet all day wearing a face mask AND visor last summer because it was company policy. And I was heavily pregnant at the time. Worked like that until 37 weeks.
I’m sure they’ll manage fine 😊

It’s hard for older folk in operating theatres too.

Personally, I think it’s nice not having catering staff inadvertently spitting on my food and cutlery.
I think an unrecognised benefit is a reduction in coughs, colds and ordinary flu with a consequent reduced staff and school absence.

So young people can't catch or pass on Covid? I hadn't realised!

Why are they different to anyone else?

It’s hard for older folk in operating theatres too.

Well, yes, exactly!

I was confused by the double negative in your thread title until I realised what you meant and that it was missing punctuation. YA doubly U for that and for wanting anyone in an indoor food preparation and public-facing job not to wear a mask, (who is not exempt).

What about 22 year olds?

If surgeons and nurses can wear them in operating theatres for hours on end I'm sure a teenager frying chicken can manage.

Corporate policy? DS works in take-away where the staff don't mask up.

Well it’s not forever hopefully not much longer . I can’t see a argument for wearing after all adults have been offered the vaccine tbh .

I think anyone working in a kitchen should wear a mask regardless of covid

I just did 90 minutes at gym wearing a mask and wear them all day at work with no issue

Why focus on 17-21 year olds? Secondary school children have been wearing masks all day at school until a week or so ago.

Some people are fine wearing them but that does mean everyone is. It always amazes me how so many people cannot see past their own experiences. You are fine wearing a mask? Great.

Many people are not at all able to work with a piece of material covering both their nose and mouth. Shocker! Re the surgeons, they know what is expected of them when they start the job. Many people have had this forced upon them after they’ve started work.

However, in the food industry, I don’t think it’s unreasonable going forward to make it a permanent fixture for the reasons stated by previous posters. I do think that forcing people to wear something covering their nose and mouths in order to make a living is pretty rough. At least with shops you can choose not to go in them if you are struggling with it.

Why that age group?

Everyone has to wear masks in certain situations regardless of age.

The only people I feel sorry for are the nhs staff who were wearing PPE for hours and hours on end where they couldn't even have a drink and were left with huge chucks of pressure sores on their faces whilst patients and colleagues died in their 1000's around them and MH was telling them they weren't using PPE correctly.

Erm I’m guessing 17-22 year olds working/volunteering/training in hospitals or nursing homes have to do this?

I think it's fine. Both my two wear masks all day at school. They say you get used to it after a day or two and prefer it to being constantly asked to self isolate due to close contacts.

What's so special about 17-21 year olds?

Yabu. If they're preparing food they need to wear them.

My tween, who wasn't a great fan of masks, is now disgusted that they don't have to wear them in the school canteen and "people are breathing over the food 🤮".

The young people I know don't mind wearing a mask. It seems to cause more problems for the older people I know. My teens have not once complained about wearing a mask. DD was happy to wear one all day in schools, and DS happy to wear one working in a fast food restaurant (although he said there isno point as there is no social distancing or masks in the staff room).

I work at McDonald's and we wear masks. Heading off to a 9 hour shift shortly and will be wearing one the whole time, minus a 45 minute break and drink breaks. I'm used to them now and honestly, I'm normally so busy I don't really think about them.