Ditching my mask from today except for in hospital settings

[Frittataz]

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.

@Frittataz

But they’re not a legal requirement and if I am asked to wear one in shops I will gently remind them of that.

Let me see.

The Prime Minister announces that speed limits have been abolished, and from today, you can drive down your High Street at 100 mph. But, he says, use your own judgement.

If you do, there will be no speeding ticket, no fine, no points on your licence.

If you have the misfortune to cause death or injury by your thoughtlessness, there will be no penalty.

@Beendownthisroadmorethantwice

I’d quite like to see a study that shows the link between mask refusal and shocking grammar.

I shouldn't laugh but

If this pandemic has taught us anything, it's that it can be bring out the absolute best in most people and the absolute worst in everyone else.

Odd to post that you're going to ignore what shops are politely requesting you do to keep staff and other customers safe and then object to being called selfish "because you're not doing anything illegal". You could do plenty of things that aren't illegal in a shop : fart horrifically, push into queues, pay for a large purchase using 1p pieces. None of those are illegal either but i think we'd all agree they are quite selfish to the people around you. The difference is none of those things can make the other people in the shop ill or cause them and their families to have to isolate for 10 days thus missing work or other import commitments. Crack on but don't be surprised if others call your behaviour what it is: selfish.

@ILoveYouILoveYouIDo

I was just out shopping and a safety Marshall for that store, stopped a girl who wasn't wearing a mask. Explaining to her the dangers etc which I thought was wrong.

Why is that wrong?

Shops are private companies on private land. They've always been able to set their own rules and say who can and can't enter their stores. If they are willing to risk someone not in a mask kicking off then it's up to them.

So were others wearing masks? Goid for them if they were.

@Frittataz Yep, good luck with that. Many places still require them.

I hope you come to my shop OP, then I can gently remind you that we won't serve you.

Most retail staff I know can't wait to get their masks off. They can't stand wearing them all day at work!
All the more reason for customers to continue to wear their masks

@LordEmsworth

Well obviously YABU to expect everyone to tell you it's fine, your desire not to wear a mask outweighs other people's desire not to catch Covid from you. I mean if you're going to do it anyway, not sure why you need us all to know about it?

This. I will be avoiding people like the OP.

I shall carry on wearing mine. It's a matter of protecting others and wearing the best quality I can gives me a degree of protection too.

Cases and hospitalisations are rising more than they have before when govt announced that the scientific evidence was to keep precautions in place. To lift the legal obligation is criminally irresponsible of govt.

For us to follow government advice is equally irresponsible. Other countries are looking on us aghast, yet again. We're not listening to medical experts, and some Health Care Trust CEOs are being gagged From the HSJ:

"Three trust chief executives have told HSJ that NHS England has refused to let them discuss the lifting of covid restrictions on 19 July in the national media.

All three had planned to warn the move risks putting potentially unsustainable pressure on the NHS by increasing the number of covid positive patients. The service is already struggling with record emergency care demand, high staff absence due to clinicians who have come into close contact with a covid positive person having to isolate, and the effort to restore elective activity."

www.hsj.co.uk/coronavirus/trust-ceos-vent-frustration-at-being-unable-to-warn-about-threat-posed-by-19-july-unlock/7030518.article?

@TheNarwhalBalloon

Odd to post that you're going to ignore what shops are politely requesting you do to keep staff and other customers safe and then object to being called selfish "because you're not doing anything illegal". You could do plenty of things that aren't illegal in a shop : fart horrifically, push into queues, pay for a large purchase using 1p pieces. None of those are illegal either but i think we'd all agree they are quite selfish to the people around you. The difference is none of those things can make the other people in the shop ill or cause them and their families to have to isolate for 10 days thus missing work or other import commitments. Crack on but don't be surprised if others call your behaviour what it is: selfish.

Exactly.

This is a case of just because you CAN do something, that doesn't necessarily mean you SHOULD.

it is still law, it's now under the HSE laws - so places will decide via risk assessment if it is safe they are worn

Now rather than just a fine employers will be given a fine a possibly a prison sentence if they fail to act on what is the best interests for their staff / customers.

Really wish people would stop saying its not law now - it is (and more stringent).

Yes I’ll still wear mine. It gives a level of protection to others so it would seem the right thing to do, to me.

If you are using specific services and shopping in specific shops that ask for masks, then yes, YABU.

They are completely free to make that decision. I see why you don't care about it. You are in for as short a time as possible. But the shop staff are facing hundreds, maybe thousands, of people per day.

Shops are entitled to do what they feel is right to keep their staff safe. And while you might not think masks work, they have been shown to be effective at preventing the spread of covid.

So yeah, if you use a facility that has rules in place, you are being massively unreasonable to not follow those rules.

AKA don't be a dick.

Another thing is, I haven't had a cold or a single sniffle since I started wearing a mask in public. And it was announced on the news yesterday, that most people have had less infections, and colds and suchlike since we have been wearing masks. Why on earth would you elect to not wear one at ALL @Frittataz

Sure, it's great to be able to pull it off for a minute if we are hot/it's stuffy/we are struggling to breathe, but just saying 'I am never wearing one again!' (except in hospitals,) is just ridiculous!

And as I said, and many others have, you have no choice anyway, as MANY places are continuing the 'wear a mask' rule.

Also, my neighbour has had people around constantly since lockdown, not paid attention to any rules, people constantly in and out during lockdown 1 and beyond. She wears a mask when popping out though! Just because people are outwardly conforming doesn’t mean they haven’t been having covid parties every weekend.

True, but it means they are less likely to pass the virus they might have contracted on to other people.

Lots of stamping feet behaviour today but it'll settle down. Most people will wear masks. Those who are exempt will not, as is right. And a minority will not wear them because they don't want to and the rest of us will maybe do a little internal eye roll at worst and get on with our days.

Imagine it will be made mandatory again pretty soon anyway and the same foot stampers will come out and say they're not doing it and a few thousand dickheads will have a red faced day out in London to say they don't like it and the majority will just still quietly get on with their day, wearing a mask where necessary.

Is there any research that proves a link between mask refusal ( outside genuine exemptions) and lower educational attainment?

I suspect there is.

This is absolute madness, the fear, the guilt tripping. Its not normal. How long can this be expected to go on for, what if cases never go down and this is life now, we need to get on without living in fear.
I need to go out today and all of a sudden I'm absolutely dreading it. Judged for wearing one, judged for not. It reminds me of earlier lockdown where if you didn't clap you didn't care about the NHS, or if you don't report your neighbours you're directly the problem. Feeling trapped and judged isn't a life worth living anymore.

@Willyoujustbequiet I think there's a link between mask refusal and labour voters sadly - it's a shame that people prefer to make a political stance rather than supporting vulnerable people (yet labour is all about supporting vulnerable people isn't it?)

@Willyoujustbequiet

Is there any research that proves a link between mask refusal ( outside genuine exemptions) and lower educational attainment?

I suspect there is.

I wouldn't have thought so. Most of mumsnet claim to be highly educated and in high paid professions, yet many on here don't wash their hands after going to the toilet. Can't see there being a correlation between masks and education either really.

I’ll wear my mask on public transport, and take my cue from the staff everywhere else.
So Sainsbury’s but probably not Lidl, then. Obviously if I’m surrounded closely by lots of other people I’ll put a mask on - I’m much better at keeping healthy than BJ and his colleagues.

@CaptainMyCaptain

Also, my neighbour has had people around constantly since lockdown, not paid attention to any rules, people constantly in and out during lockdown 1 and beyond. She wears a mask when popping out though! Just because people are outwardly conforming doesn’t mean they haven’t been having covid parties every weekend.

True, but it means they are less likely to pass the virus they might have contracted on to other people.

Well I suppose there’s that, but whether the other visitors have been is another question

Nobody will be questioned

Customers are STRONGLY ADVISED to wear a mask when shopping in our stores. We still have someone at the door offering free masks/sanitiser. But that's as far as it goes.

Shops don't have the staff to run around challenging mask wearing, and they don't have the right to either

We ask people stay a SAFE DISTANCE and take PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

And no, mask wearing has nothing to do with educational attainment, what a thick comment!

You’ll be protected by others who still wear masks, please give them the courtesy of the same protection.

Otherwise, sorry but I think you are being selfish.