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.

@awaywiththefae I will absolutely shame people into wearing them. If they feel shame then perhaps they are not 100% comfortable with not wearing one in the first place.

@WouldBeGood

Loads of people on here just love masks *@Frittataz*

It’s peculiar. I just wouldn’t go to places that require them now.

No, they're just considerate of other people and don't think that their own life is the only one that matters.

Socially and ethically, refusing to wear a mask when you are able to simply because you don't feel you should have to be considerate to others is saying "fuck you" to everyone around you.

Same as smoking in enclosed spaces or drink driving.

I work in a supermarket that is struggling due to so many staff off isolating.
I will be continuing to wear a mask to protect myself and others.
I think we will be seeing supermarkets working reduced hours, with less stock due to have shortages as less people protect others by not wearing masks and not social distancing and continuing the spread. People will start complaining more then. Reducing restrictions is all to encourage business but in fact we will find hospitality and shops closing as staff have to isolate.
My youngest has asthma and now I will be ensuring she wears a mask when out even though she is 10 and legally doesn't have to as I do not know how Covid would affect her. Even my MIL says we need to get back to normal and wants to stop wearing masks despite having a highly vulnerable brother who if he caught Covid or flu would kill him.
We do not know who is vulnerable or who could pass it on to those who are and for that reason, I will be continuing to wear my mask, social distance, wash my hands, and do my best to protect them.

@LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus why bother wearing a mask in a medical setting then? Because a mask protects others more than it protects you. So it's the person sitting next to you that you want to see in a mask. And now, of course, they don't need to...

It might be legal, but it certainly isn’t in the spirit of the law. You might be asserting your rights by removing your mask, but you are potentially putting at risk every person with whom you come into contact. Which is selfish. How will you feel when there’s a further lockdown because people can’t apply common sense.

If numbers were low, it would be understandable. Please don’t moan when you have to take responsibility for removing everyone’s freedom in a few weeks.

I'll be wearing mine in shops, I don't care if it's not legally enforceable it still doesn't change the fact that contracting the virus can still kill people.

I stopped wearing one a couple of weeks ago as I don't agree with them.

"I don't agree with protecting other people." What utter drivel.

@Frittataz

I’m not a knob and I don’t care if strangers think that. I’ve done everything I’ve needed to do from the very start to protect my family and complete strangers so I’d like to have. A it of choice for once.

Yes you have a choice. But there’s no choice for the staff then who work in the places you may visit. You wear the mask to protect them. Many will be young and not fully vaccinated and may go home to clinically vulnerable people. So choosing not to wear a mask or lying to pretend you are exempt is really just selfish and nasty

I really feel sorry for all the shop staff in England. It is such a small and courteous thing to wear a mask for a few minutes, even though it is not much fun.

I am glad I am in Wales and that Scotland and NI are also being sensible instead of pandering to populism.

@Frittataz

I wouldn’t be at all unpleasant I’d simply remind them that face masks are no longer legally enforceable. Or would it be better if I lied and told them I’m exempt? As either way from today I won’t be wearing masks except for in clinical settings.

Your choice, people accept that. However . You need to accept that other people make other choices, and if a shop has decided you need to wear a mask then they can, without being unpleasant, remind you and expect you to comply.

I am going to carry on wearing a mask, and carry on being careful about hand cleaning, trolley wiping etc. It’s a policy that has kept me Covid clear and has also stopped me getting colds and other bugs. Huge rise in infections recently, Covid as well as a vomiting bug which is apparently doing the rounds.

No, i actually don’t see the benefit of masks, I never have. I’ll wear one in a clinical setting simply because in my area masks are still a requirement unless you’re exempt.

Studies show that they lower infection rates. I think that would be the benefit.

@Wheresmrpenguin

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.

@Wheresmrpenguin stop catastrophising. You won’t be judged for wearing a mask FFS!

I just cannot understand this nonsense of people pretending to be disabled. People that lie and say they're exempt are arseholes. The damage they're doing to equality for those that are disabled is awful.

Yanbu Op
I can't wait to ditch mine either, I will ( hopefully) have one in my bag just in case but hope that wearing masks wont become normal.
If you are fully vaccinated chance of serious illness is low, if you young and arent vaccinated chances of serious illness is really low, chances of catching covid from brief encounter in a shop also low.
Crowded public transport, theatres are more risky than shops imo as you will be in close proximity to others for a prolonged time.
But as its no longer a legal requirement to wear one I hope people will be accepting that not everyone will want to continue wearing one and it should be a free choice.

You can choose not to wear a mask, OP, I hate them too - but to inflict your choice on other people who have no choice to get out of your way (ie. shop, restaurant workers, etc.) is rude.

You sound pompous with your 'gently reminding'. My brother's like that, long-winded in his self-entitlement not to wear a mask.

@Frittataz

But they’re not a legal requirement so how can they do that? If I really wanted to I could simply lie and say that I’m exempt but why should I have to do that.

There are lots of things that private businesses can ask you to do or not do, it doesn't matter if it's legal or not! Dress codes aren't set by law but plenty of places have them. Using your phone in a cinema isn't illegal but they can still kick you out for doing it. Why do you think mask wearing will be any different?

Just back from school drop off and stopped at 2 shops on way home. I'd say 95% of people I saw were wearing masks. I was quite surprised actually, thought there would be a lot less although appreciate it was a small snapshot.

Same as smoking in enclosed spaces or drink driving.

What a stupid comparison.

Anyway, enjoy your day OP, like you said people will and have always judged so who gives a fuck what strangers think?

@WouldBeGood

Loads of people on here just love masks *@Frittataz*

It’s peculiar. I just wouldn’t go to places that require them now.

No-one loves masks. They’re a pain in the ass. But they help protect the vulnerable from serious illness and death, and I don’t love that, either.

I'll wish people would continue to wear them. It's common sense

@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.

but if you want to shop in that store, you need to abide by their rules

@Frittataz

People judge all the time. It’s nothing new. I’m sure I’ll survive.

Why on earth do you have to come on here announcing it ?

I just don't understand the absolute fuss people make about wearing a mask. It is the most basic thing and takes seconds and might just help cases from rocketing off the scale. My 7 year has always managed fine, never had a moan, yet grown adults revel in moaning or refusing to wear them. I also don't understand someone posting about it when you are going to do what you want regardless.....

@Frittataz

But they’re not a legal requirement so how can they do that? If I really wanted to I could simply lie and say that I’m exempt but why should I have to do that.

The shops aren't legally required to enforce mask wearing. They are however legally entitled to make entry conditional on mask wearing. It's not that hard to understand.

@Frittataz

I’m not a knob and I don’t care if strangers think that. I’ve done everything I’ve needed to do from the very start to protect my family and complete strangers so I’d like to have. A it of choice for once.

but you are acting like a knob.