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.

@TeddingtonTrashbag

Going to an expensive hairdressing appointment later that requires being in the salon 3 hours. If they require a mask I will cancel. Their loss.

Nope, your loss as they are fully entitled to charge you the same amount for the missed appointment. Honestly, I’m astounded that some people think that we aren’t going to have massive problems with this ‘freedom’.

They might not be legal but if it’s a policy they’re still enforcing they’re well within their rights to ask you to leave. No shoes, no shirt, no service is a lot of store policies but not a legal requirement. No dogs etc. I feel so sorry for staff having to deal with this.

You won’t be able to go into lots of shops without one as many are still requiring one for entry.

Really? I hadn’t seen any that said they were requiring them, just “encouraging” or “recommending”. Nothing to suggest any shops will actually refuse access. Are there any that have said that?

@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.

Harsh but true.

But as I've said, you're legally entitled to be selfish and you clearly don't give a toss about how uncomfortable you might make others feel, so go ahead and enjoy your freedom. Nobody can stop you.

@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.

MN likes to brand everyone selfish when it comes to not wearing a mask

YANBU in my opinion OP. I won't be wearing one from today either - horrible things, especially in these temperatures.

You obviously think there is some benefit as you’ve said you’d wear them in a clinical setting.

So the sick folks and nhs staff deserve some level of protection from you but not shop workers and the general public?

I don’t get the difference-surely you think they either work or they don’t, so if you think they don’t why even bother in a clinical setting; why not give them your gentle reminder and crack on with spreading any possible virus you may have, big or small?

Let's hope someone "gently reminds" the virus to stop virusing.

@rattlemehearties

It's unkind behaviour of you given that many retail and hospitality staff are young and therefore haven't received both doses of the vaccine. Wearing a mask protects others more than you.

Most retail staff I know can't wait to get their masks off. They can't stand wearing them all day at work!

Thank you. Yes I see it a lot on here people being branded selfish for doing things they’re allowed to do. I don’t care what other people do we’ve all been through hell this last year so why can’t people just get on with their lives and not judge what other role do?

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.

@Frittataz

Thank you. Yes I see it a lot on here people being branded selfish for doing things they’re allowed to do. I don’t care what other people do we’ve all been through hell this last year so why can’t people just get on with their lives and not judge what other role do?

Of course people will judge what others do. Madk wearing is to protect others, not yourself. You can choose to put others at risk but you can't demand that they don't judge you for it.

@TeddingtonTrashbag

Going to an expensive hairdressing appointment later that requires being in the salon 3 hours. If they require a mask I will cancel. Their loss.

I doubt they'll be in a position to require it.

Cancelling at short notice? That's the arrogant behaviour of someone in a paid, salary secure job who thinks that they can treat the self employed without consideration.

@TeddingtonTrashbag

Going to an expensive hairdressing appointment later that requires being in the salon 3 hours. If they require a mask I will cancel. Their loss.

My partner has to wear a mask while I’m giving birth, and you’re complaining about having to wear one while sitting on your bum, staring at yourself in a mirror getting your greys covered? People have lost all fucking perspective.

Let's hope someone "gently reminds" the virus to stop virusing.

Let’s just see how this plays out first.

We have no idea how much enforcement there will actually be from the places that have requested masks say.

I suspect some branches will enforce better than others depending on management who run them.

Also, I hope you haven’t binned your masks because I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they are brought back in (possibly in weeks if you look at other countries who have tried to ditch masks).

@Shelovesamystery

I don't get where everyone is getting this idea that loads of shops will make customers wear masks from Because some companies have issued statements saying they "encourage" mask wearing in their stores? Nobody is going to enforce it or ask you to wear a mask, whatever statement their company has issued. You might get the odd jobsworth asking customers to wear masks but most people who work in customer service are fed up of getting grief for asking customers to stick to the law, why would they open themselves up to more grief by asking customers to do something that is perfectly legal? I work in customer service, not a chance I'll be asking anyone to wear a mask FFS.

I agree they probably won’t. Which makes it worse for them in a way. A friend of mine who works in retail has already been signed off sick with stress, she’s been off for weeks due to feeling so unsafe. I can’t imagine the lack of masks will make her feel any safer. If people can help others feel a bit safer I just can’t understand why you wouldn’t want to do that (apart from proper exemptions).

@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.

If the shop has decided mask wearing is a condition of entry, and you don't want to wear one, you just cannot shop in there. Choices have consequences.

Do not lie and say you are exempt. You cannot just pretend to have a condition, that's appalling behaviour. People who have a genuine inability to wear a mask face more abuse because of selfish people who think it's acceptable to pretend to have a condition/disability.

@Frittataz

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.

But your whole point is “it’s not legal they can’t make me” stamps feet like a toddler. Why do you draw the line at a hospital?

@Wanttocry

You won’t be able to go into lots of shops without one as many are still requiring one for entry.

Really? I hadn’t seen any that said they were requiring them, just “encouraging” or “recommending”. Nothing to suggest any shops will actually refuse access. Are there any that have said that?

Yes where we live in South Norfolk the vast majority of shops have said this.

Some people are still vulnerable- they can choose not to go to mass gatherings and sporting events to protect themselves but they do still need to do basic things like go to the shops and it would be incredibly selfish and inconsiderate to make that unsafe for them just because you don’t feel like wearing a mask

I have a legal right to go shopping in my bikini (if I owned one 😁) and a legal right to produce cash from my sweaty bikini top to pay. Doesn't make it right. And I may have just revolted myself at the thought 😂.

I think not wearing a mask when you've been encouraged to do so on private property is rude and many others will think that too. Others will think "good for you" and 95% won't give a toss either way.

I think @Shelovesamystery is probably right though.

Because i feel it’s appropriate to wear one in a hospital and on the letter I got for my dd’s appointment it states face masks are required. Simple.

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 staff I know have been told they have to carry on wearing them. Because it’s what the customers want. 🤷‍♀️

YANBU to not wear a mask if you haven’t been asked to wear one. If shops decide to they can require you wear one though and refuse you entry if you don’t. Any private establishment, such as shops, can decide their own requirements and refuse to serve those who go against that. YABU to go against the rules individual shops set for themselves.

I just think it's rude to all those shop workers you're coming into contact with. I'll be continuing as a courtesy to others who are probably (justifiably) worried