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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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
MissChanandlerBong22 · 19/07/2021 09:51

We either open now, or this time next year.

What is all this talk of ‘opening’? Shops, restaurants, and bars were all open yesterday. Nightclubs are the only thing that are ‘open’ today that weren’t yesterday.

Oceanos · 19/07/2021 09:51

@Wanttocry not a reach - this is literally what has happened. Work places have to protect their staff - it is now their repsonsibility to ensure that happens (it's still law, actually the consequences are far worse).

Lots of people know where they caught covid (its not impossible to work out where people are catching it, particularly with vulnerable people who are only going to work still (due to attitudes like the OPs))

yellowbaglady · 19/07/2021 09:52

@Frittataz just remember that some of us can't have the vaccine and are still being encouraged to get back to every day life. My work want me back asap etc.
I am 7 months pregnant and I am really scared about catching covid. I am being sensible and trying to limit my contact with people but I also need to do normal things like food shop (can't get a click and collect slot for some reason at the mo)
I send my older kids into shops where possible and DP will run errands, but it's pretty miserable going nowhere! The rest of my family are double jabbed but I can't have it due to another health problem. I am relying on people to be sensible in order to protect myself and my unborn baby.
I get that masks are annoying, I understand that they are uncomfortable and for some people very triggering. But they really are a small price to pay to give additional safety to vulnerable people and shop workers. I say that as someone who really struggles with a mask, I have nearly passed out wearing mine on several occasions and this has intensified in the heat and with my pregnancy. That said my comfort does not trump other peoples safety!

OverTheRubicon · 19/07/2021 09:52

@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.
How nice of you to be gentle Hmm They have a duty as employers to protect their employees, many of whom might well not yet be fully vaccinated (and even if they are, might not yet have full protection). Sickness aside, many people on lower wages will be screwed if catch it and have to isolate for 10 days.

Surely that's more important than your own desire not to wear it while browsing for 10 mins? I fully get why you might not want to wear it in a quiet train carriage or elsewhere, but this example has little impact on you but a positive impact for someone else.

TheSunShinesBrighter · 19/07/2021 09:53

Knitted

Don’t forget ‘brainwashed’.

Clymene · 19/07/2021 09:53

Our local cinema still requires masks. Perhaps you should stick to the places that don't ask people to wear them to avoid embarrassment when you 'gently remind them'.

VickyEadieofThigh · 19/07/2021 09:53

@Ultimatecougar

To be fair it is different in a clinical setting because staff are required to get close to the patient and stay that way for more than a couple of minutes in a lot of cases. It's a bit different from the more distant, fleeting contact you get in a shop.
Hairdressers get a lot closer than staff do at many hospital appointments and for much longer.
Lavender24 · 19/07/2021 09:54

I haven't worn one since the first couple weeks they were introduced but I am ditching the lanyard from today. I've had enough.

HoldingTheDoor · 19/07/2021 09:54

I have nearly passed out wearing mine on several occasions and this has intensified in the heat and with my pregnancy. That said my comfort does not trump other peoples safety!

You'd have to be crazy/a total martyr to wear one when they're making you almost pass out. That isn't a comfort issue. It's a safety one. You could injure yourself when fainting.

VickyEadieofThigh · 19/07/2021 09:55

[quote Im2sexyforthissite]@Frittataz this is the worst place to be asking about masks. The women on here don't seem to understand the 99% survival rate.[/quote]
I think they do - and they understand the impact of long Covid, too.

AngelicaElizaAndPeggy · 19/07/2021 09:55

Well, you can legally crack on with life without your mask but don't be offended if people look at you like this 👀 and give you a wide berth.

People will assume you are trying to make a statement and that you're an anti vaxxer. At least in the short term.

*People will just assume 'exempt' and get on with their day, they are more likely not to notice

Ridiculous trying to scare people*

@gardeninggirl68 People would have assumed you exempt if you had a lanyard or if it were yesterday. Today, people will assume you are striding about as a political statement. That you have done 'research' on YouTube. And that you are up for an awkward confrontation with some 'sheeples'.

Lavender24 · 19/07/2021 09:55

@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.
Say you're exempt or they will probably refuse you entry.
Wanttocry · 19/07/2021 09:55

[quote Oceanos]@Wanttocry not a reach - this is literally what has happened. Work places have to protect their staff - it is now their repsonsibility to ensure that happens (it's still law, actually the consequences are far worse).

Lots of people know where they caught covid (its not impossible to work out where people are catching it, particularly with vulnerable people who are only going to work still (due to attitudes like the OPs))[/quote]
What about places where you never had to wear masks then? I was at centerparcs a few weeks ago and we went to the pool. Obviously no one was wearing masks, and there were staff there. How can swimming pools open if there is the risk to the business that you are talking about?

(I’m not trying to be goady or start an argument, I am genuinely interested!)

NotMyCat · 19/07/2021 09:55

I've swapped to FFP2 masks now to protect myself. My consultant said to, and protect myself because I can't rely on other people wearing masks as I'm CEV

Frazzled2207 · 19/07/2021 09:56

@Frittataz

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.
no it's not. Masks protect other people not yourself.

It is totally selfish to refuse to wear a mask where covid levels are at THE HIGHEST THEY'VE EVER BEEN to protect the vulnerable. If (when?) covid levels are very low once again then I think personal choice is perfectly acceptable.

Fortunately the vast majority of people I know are happy to keep complying.
It's a real shame to hear about the other 1% .

gardeninggirl68 · 19/07/2021 09:56

@oceanos. I'm not sure we could prove where covid came from in that scenario? Same for anyone claiming exemptions ..... maybe an exempt customer/colleague brought it in?

We are a huge multi chain company. Stores here and all over the world. I'm confident they know what they are doing!! We have ( or had, they are no longer done from today) covid audits. I got seriously assaulted in store trying to get a 'customer' to comply with a covid rule. All our staff have had real in their face abuse. 16 months of it. Someone dies that's going to be tragic, but it will not be our fault

However all along we have followed government guidelines and worked locally with agencies to reduce risk.

Our young staff are on our door.... you want them to call out non mask wearers then?

Canigooutyet · 19/07/2021 09:57

Would be hard to eat anything with a mask on 😂
Although couldn't believe that this had to be written as an exemption

Janus · 19/07/2021 09:57

@starfro actually Chris Whitby says he will still wear a mask for most of the time, he says …

Which covers most scenarios really!

Ditching my mask from today except for in hospital settings
Ditching my mask from today except for in hospital settings
JoborPlay · 19/07/2021 09:58

[quote Im2sexyforthissite]@Frittataz this is the worst place to be asking about masks. The women on here don't seem to understand the 99% survival rate.[/quote]
Oh no, we do.

We also understand the impact on multiple isolation periods, covid recovery times, the isolation periods I would cause others I'm in contact with, other people I could infect and how it would impact them and of course the risk of long covid.

WutheringTights · 19/07/2021 09:58

@Frittataz

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.
I'm legally allowed to blast loud music at 3am (at least no one would anything about it if I did). Would be really fucking selfish though.
UrAWizHarry · 19/07/2021 09:58

@Confiscatedpopit

I won’t be wearing one. If I’m asked I’ll be going elsewhere unless they can explain to me a very good reason why I should- e.g it’s a very small shop with a vulnerable staff member. The onus isn’t on me to explain my choice in not wearing one anymore.

Most of the people worried have been working from home for the last 16 months or retired anyway. Time to get back to normal and live with it.

If a shop requires you to wear a mask they can do so, they don't need to explain themselves to you. Either wear one or shop elsewhere, it's pretty simple.

People getting uppity about this need to get over themselves. Unless you have an actual non-made up reason you cannot wear a mask, just wear one ffs. It doesn't hurt you.

krystalweedon · 19/07/2021 09:58

[quote Im2sexyforthissite]@Frittataz this is the worst place to be asking about masks. The women on here don't seem to understand the 99% survival rate.[/quote]
Oh babe, aren't you the clever one. xx

FunMcCool · 19/07/2021 10:00

@Coldilox no they won’t. They can encourage you to wear one but they can’t legally refuse you service/entry without them.

Tabitha005 · 19/07/2021 10:01

@CovidCorvid

Most shops have asked that people continue to wear them to protect the staff. I feel sorry for staff who may feel quite vulnerable over this so am happy to wear them still.
THIS. I keep thinking that if I were working in retail, leisure or hospitality, I'd be feeling that no-one really gives a toss about protecting me.

Between the government, employers and all the members of the general public who think today is some sort of freedom card to return to 'normal' all the while infection rates are hammering past 50,000 a day, if I were getting ready for a shift in a pub, I'd be feeling hugely anxious about being face to face with non-mask wearing people standing only a bar's depth away from me - especially those who've had a skin-full, spraying spit and sweat everywhere (I've just been looking at photos of nightclubs re-opening. If that's not a perfect petri-dish for spreading Covid, then what is)?

I think, the more of us that maintain caution, keep wearing our masks, washing our hands, adhering to distancing and considering the people who are being forced back into work in places where many members of the general public merrily eschew every cautionary procedure, the better.

User5827372728 · 19/07/2021 10:01

@Wanttocry

Yes I always thought the same. Our local gym you had to wear one through reception area, then to get changed. But then swam next to 80 people or exercised in gym without a mask and no T&T and then mask on to walk through reception.

We went swimming on Sunday must have been 90 people in pool, no masks no T&T