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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Ditching my mask from today except for in hospital settings

996 replies

Frittataz · 19/07/2021 06:46

Clearly this is fine legally speaking but AIBU to expect not to be asked to wear a mask from today onwards? I’ll wear one when attending hospital/doctors appointments but that’s it that’s were i draw the line. I shouldn’t be expected to explain myself right? I’ve wore a mask from the beginning and stuck to every rule. I won’t be rushing out to go to nightclubs as I didn’t do that before covid and i don’t suddenly feel the need to surround myself (closely) with lots of other people but I am looking forward to taking my daughter shopping and going to the cinema without having to wear a mask.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
SmileyClare · 19/07/2021 08:22

You can expect everyone to put there (sic) lives on hold

A valid point if we were discussing lockdown restrictions but sticking a mask on to walk round a shop (if requested) is hardly putting your life on hold. I barely notice I'm wearing one.

Cherryade8 · 19/07/2021 08:22

Yanbu. Shops will be crazy if they deny anyone entry for not wearing a mask, people will just spend money elsewhere. I won't be wearing one that's for sure.

Allmyarseandpeggymartin · 19/07/2021 08:23

@MrsTulipTattsyrup Excellent work - you should sell them to the nation

m0therofdragons · 19/07/2021 08:24

If me wearing a mask slightly protects me and others and makes anxious people feel less anxious then why wouldn’t I wear a mask. I really cannot grasp the drama over mask wearing. It’s mildly annoying at most in the same way a seat belt can be.

Conchitastrawberry · 19/07/2021 08:24

I asked in my local Sainsburys and Tesco’s last week and they high said staff will be wearing them but customers could chose not to. I definitely won’t be wearing it anywhere I don’t have to.

LucyLockhearts · 19/07/2021 08:25

@H65447788888 There is so much wrong with your post it's hard to know where to start.

1 Shops and other premises can do what they want.
2 Shops will be happy to turn maskless people away to keep their staff safe. Better a lost sale than a lost assistant don't you think?
3 Shops will lose More customers if they feel it's unsafe to go in, because the shop has a 'maskless policy.'

You may have been under a rock for a few days but all of the supermarkets have said they would prefer customers to keep wearing masks.

4 Most people have NOT been vaccinated twice. it's around 1/3rd who have not been - 30% of the population. That is enough to keep the rates rising, if there are no restrictions.

5 Maybe learn to think for yourself and not just accept what the government 'says'? They have left this as a personal responsibility issue .

Most people can see that as rates are now 50K a day, it might just help to carry on wearing a mask.

Masks DO work to an extent- maybe do some reading online and discover the science instead of spouting your own misguided opinions?
The government are taking a gamble with herd immunity.
It may not work and in 2 months we will all be wearing masks again and maybe locked down.

Reading some of the posts here, I think that's a given.

H65447788888 · 19/07/2021 08:25

@SmileyClare

I notice them there hot sweaty and restrictive I’m definitely ditching mine.

Chloemol · 19/07/2021 08:25

Legally you are correct

Morally I think you are wrong. Masks should still be worn if the places you visit request you do so. They are trying to protect others, including their workforce

It’s not a hardship

LucyLockhearts · 19/07/2021 08:26

@Conchitastrawberry

I asked in my local Sainsburys and Tesco’s last week and they high said staff will be wearing them but customers could chose not to. I definitely won’t be wearing it anywhere I don’t have to.
So you don't care about infecting a member of their staff?

Lovely.

Allmyarseandpeggymartin · 19/07/2021 08:26

@LucyLockhearts I was being sarky. How effective are masks when we’ve got a 40k case rate.

LucyLockhearts · 19/07/2021 08:26

[quote H65447788888]@SmileyClare

I notice them there hot sweaty and restrictive I’m definitely ditching mine.[/quote]
Oh yes, we all LOVE wearing them.

Are you for real or just enjoying winding people up?

Wanttocry · 19/07/2021 08:27

They will gradually fade out of use IMO.

I agree with this. If I had to predict what will happen, I think more people will wear them today/tomorrow/Wednesday, but then as more people see more and more other people not wearing them, rates will fall. I think there’s a significant number of people who will wear them due to social pressure, but as more people stop, that pressure reduces, leading to more people stopping.

Ultimatecougar · 19/07/2021 08:27

@Kayjay2018 the difference between shopping and a medical setting including opticians etc is that medical staff are required to get close to the patient to examine them and often have to remain so for a period of time. Social distancing isn't an option for them the way it is in shops. In shops the contact is generally much briefer too.

C8H10N4O2 · 19/07/2021 08:27

Yes I see it a lot on here people being branded selfish for doing things they’re allowed to do

"Selfish" is nothing to do with whether the act is allowed or legal, its about making your choices out of self gratification without regard to those around you.

I'd say refusing to wear a mask for the time you are in a shop or public transport out of consideration for staff and fellow users is self gratification without regard to those around you.

And gods help the immune compromised who are simultaneously told to stay home and keep themselves safe whilst also getting back to the place of work for fear of their jobs.

LucyLockhearts · 19/07/2021 08:28

@Cherryade8

Yanbu. Shops will be crazy if they deny anyone entry for not wearing a mask, people will just spend money elsewhere. I won't be wearing one that's for sure.
I will be very wary of using any shop that allows all customers to be maskless.

They will lose my business. I will go elsewhere.

echt · 19/07/2021 08:28

[quote H65447788888]@SmileyClare

I notice them there hot sweaty and restrictive I’m definitely ditching mine.[/quote]
Tell a nurse, doctor or paramedic after a shift, why don't you?

Not so clever now, eh?

bendmeoverbackwards · 19/07/2021 08:29

YABVU

Yes it may not be a legal requirement but if you are a decent and sensible human being you will continue to wear one. What exactly did you want from this thread, a pat on the back?

RosesAndHellebores · 19/07/2021 08:29

DH texted and said it was half and half on the train this morning.

Winemewhynot · 19/07/2021 08:30

Can’t wait not to have to wear one, although tbh yesterday in sainsburies I noticed the percentage of shoppers wearing them had reduced. I’m so happy to be able to walk out the house without thinking shit have I got a mask!

Allmyarseandpeggymartin · 19/07/2021 08:30

@LucyLockhearts Good luck with that, what are you going to do lurk at the doorway and check how many maskless punters are in there? Cross question security on their policy on letting the maskless roam?

ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia · 19/07/2021 08:30

@RosesAndHellebores

DH texted and said it was half and half on the train this morning.
They should be in separate carriages so both camps are happy amongst their tribe!
Violetroselily · 19/07/2021 08:30

OP, what is the point of this thread?

SmudgeButt · 19/07/2021 08:30

I currently have a cold so will continue to wear my visor to protect others. I'll also be keeping my distance and ask politely that others do the same for their own good as well as my own. If they ignore me they will risk me going into full trolley rage mode.

00100001 · 19/07/2021 08:30

LucyLockhearts

Every single supermarket has allowed people in without masks all this time...

So tell us how your boycott goes... 👍

BiBabbles · 19/07/2021 08:31

I don't have a strong opinion on mask wearing outside of medical and other vulnerable settings. What you've been doing before doesn't really change much the risk factors now, which will vary depending on where you are, what you're doing, other people's behaviour which may be impacted by mask wearing, and other factors.

Most people I know who work in hospitality and retail have been talking about how it's been barely a third maybe recently wearing one, you'll just be another one who isn't.

However I get what you’re saying but to call me selfish for wanting to do something I’m legally allowed to do is bit harsh.

Connecting legality with ethics or morality has many issues. Most of the time, legal is very minimum if that standard of behaviour expected and has very limited connection with social ethics and morality. Things can be legal and immoral - the law can even promote or require things that are terrible morally or ethically. Things can be legal and selfish, things and be legal and disgusting. They're really not related much and it's definitely not any sort of standard to hold ourselves to.

I've seen shops have to put up signs that they will not take bra, bikini/swimwear (including bottoms), or sock money because people will literally pull money out of their sweatiest places to hand over. It's gross, many would argue selfish and/or unethical, but it's still legal to do -- and legal for shops not to accept it.

I doubt most shops will enforce masks, just like most don't have rules on sock money, but they've every legal right to do so. That's entirely separate from the ethical or moral obligations, they can do it for the selfish reasoning of just not wanting to do so. It's not always wrong to be selfish, even if others have thoughts on it.