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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:
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7
YellowBellyCat · 19/07/2021 07:21

@Frittataz

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.
But you just said you don’t see the benefit of masks so why do you feel it’s appropriate? And why is the hospital asking you to wear a mask different from a shop asking you to wear a mask? Why don’t you politely remind the hospital you don’t have to wear one? Is it a case of you don’t mind telling the lowly shop worker “your rights” but not prepared to say the same to a doctor or nurse. And obviously you can’t lie to them about being exempt either.
PhilCornwall1 · 19/07/2021 07:21

So if shops try to enforce masks, there will be an awful lot of "exempt" people from today.

warmfluffytowels · 19/07/2021 07:21

@YellowBellyCat

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. 🤷‍♀️

That sucks for them.

Most shops have no air conditioning and it was almost 30 degrees yesterday. I feel awful when I think about how hot and sweaty they must be feeling.

Sugarandtime · 19/07/2021 07:21

Unfortunately I think this is going to create even more of a divide and hate between people.
I do think a lot of people have been conditioned into wanting to wear masks now and as such think anyone who doesn’t is selfish.
This seems to have been the case for a long time though judging by comments I’ve read over the last year from people who have been exempt but received abuse.

I don’t go out much so this isn’t going to affect me a lot. I suppose it just comes down to personal choice and responsibility at the end of the day.

exybusiness · 19/07/2021 07:22

What a hero you are op, how kind and considerate of others.

Beendownthisroadmorethantwice · 19/07/2021 07:22

@Frittataz

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.
So the letter from a hospital you listen to, a sign outside a shop you don’t? Very weird reasoning.
warmfluffytowels · 19/07/2021 07:22

@shallIswim

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
Is it still rude when many shop workers won't be wearing one from today?
Ultimatecougar · 19/07/2021 07:22

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.

LucyLockhearts · 19/07/2021 07:23

@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.
It's such a small thing to do, @Frittataz to help keep other people safe. I don't know why people are refusing to just because it's not illegal.

Lots of things we do aren't illegal, but it's good manners and helpful to do them.

Rates are going through the roof so why would you not wear one?

Many supermarkets are expecting customers to carry on - just think of all the poor assistants on the till who are going to be in the full flow of everyone's breath.

I think you sound rather 'entitled' whereas you ought to be thinking of society as a whole, not just yourself.

YellowBellyCat · 19/07/2021 07:23

@warmfluffytowels. Yes, my Dd works as a barista/waitress doing 10 hour shifts on her feet in this heat with a mask on. She manages. And has been told she has to continue wearing one. Just annoys me when people can’t manage for ten minutes in a shop.

PilatesPeach · 19/07/2021 07:23

Whilst masks are no longer legally required by law, any shop is a private establishment and they do reserve the legal right to require you to wear one as a condition of entry same with pubs, restaurants, gyms etc.
I think I will carry on with one at the moment.

UsedUpUsername · 19/07/2021 07:23

@season2

The world is watching aghast at this dreadful experiment Boris has decided to conduct in the uk.
Many US states have ditched the mandates and nothing happened despite the gnashing of teeth and wrenching of hair from the usual suspects.

Masks don’t work. If they did you wouldn’t be going in and out of lockdown. You might as well wear a power crystal

FastandLoose · 19/07/2021 07:23

I’ll be starting work in a small local shop in a few hours. I will have to ask people to wear masks. I don’t really want to do this without a legal framework behind it, but neither do we want young staff (or anyone) getting COVID at work. For their health and because the shop would have to close for days.

I don’t really want to deal with the possible confrontation and am worried about the day, but yes, you would be refused entry, and yes you could get round that by saying you’re exempt, but it would be a bit of a dick move given the above.

Jasmine11 · 19/07/2021 07:24

@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.
They can gently ask you to leave then or refuse to serve you 🤷🏻‍♀️
YellowBellyCat · 19/07/2021 07:24

Is it still rude when many shop workers won't be wearing one from today

I think if the staff aren’t wearing them then it’s fair enough if you don’t want to either.

megletthesecond · 19/07/2021 07:24

It will make you look like you don't care about minimum wage retail staff.

Original poster
Frittataz · 19/07/2021 07:24

Not really. There are poorly people in hospital who are genuinely vulnerable so in this instance I don’t mind wearing a mask, and like I said, the letter I got from the hospital states masks are required. Shops will not have signs outside stating masks are required and I assume people who are poorly will not be out shopping.

OP posts:
DarceyDashwood · 19/07/2021 07:25

If you don’t want to wear a mask don’t wear one. Starting a thread proclaiming this fact is a bit tedious though. Feel very sorry for shop and hospitality staff today who probably will have to carry on wearing masks to protect customers who clearly don’t give a crap about them

AbsolutelyPatsy · 19/07/2021 07:25

we still have massive daily cases compared to the rest of europe, madness to ditch any protection

Howcanthisbe123 · 19/07/2021 07:25

Don’t worry, businesses will soon fall in line when the profit margin starts to crash and will then decide it’s probably best not to pick and choose only half the clientele available.

I haven’t worn a mask since April, never been questioned too to my surprise either.

HOkieCOkie · 19/07/2021 07:25

The only place I’m wearing mine is on the tube.

YellowBellyCat · 19/07/2021 07:26

@Frittataz

Not really. There are poorly people in hospital who are genuinely vulnerable so in this instance I don’t mind wearing a mask, and like I said, the letter I got from the hospital states masks are required. Shops will not have signs outside stating masks are required and I assume people who are poorly will not be out shopping.
Well you assume wrong. My Dd is clinically vulnerable and works as a waitress. Plenty of shop staff will be extremely clinically vulnerable and still have to work. Yes they will have been vaccinated but as we’re seeing people who are vaccinated are still getting it.
Cazzovuoi · 19/07/2021 07:26

I will gently remind my vulnerable 75 year old MIL that selfish people like you put people like her and others who can’t be vaccinated at risk.

Stamp your feet like a toddler about MY RIGHTS all you like, doesn’t stop you being selfish. Masks reduce transmission, it’s that simple. Otherwise why do surgeons bother wearing them?!

UsedUpUsername · 19/07/2021 07:26

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

So have you.

My DH also had to wear one during my delivery. So maybe instead of getting angry at other people for not wearing one, you should maybe be angry about these idiotic rules forcing masks on otherwise healthy people like I am.

Beendownthisroadmorethantwice · 19/07/2021 07:27

Shops will not have signs outside stating masks are required and I assume people who are poorly will not be out shopping.

Oh give over. Yes I think supermarkets will most definitely have signs, announcements on tannoy etc. And sorry do you believe that the vulnerable have to starve?

That’s the point - people do have to continue to go shopping whether they are vulnerable or not.