AIBU to expect the majority of people in a full basement theatre in central london to wear masks?

[Rosiestraws]

I went to the Leicester square theatre on Mon to see Michael McIntyre (400 capacity - sold out and every seat full).

The information on booking was requesting mask wearing and advising there would be temperature checks on arrival. The latter happened but I was astounded that there was no mention of masks on the tannoy inside (they were able to comment on not recording the show etc but not a gentle reminder that they request mask wearing!?), nor signs up anywhere and I was one of very few people who wore a mask - I would say it was about 85% of the packed theatre without them.

This has been the first time I've encountered this in a similar setting - most theatres for plays/musicals which I have been to (I have been out regularly) have encouraged mask wearing and the public were at least 75% wearing them. I was just so shocked that it was the opposite.

I also noticed that the majority of the people there were over 50 - does anyone think this is perhaps because they have had their boosters perhaps and aren't as concerned to wear masks?

Adding to my concern was a gentleman directly behind me with a cough who coughed multiple times throughout the show (made worse by his raucous laughing of course as it was a comedy show). Surely common decency would mean wearing a mask if you have a proper cough.. he kept having a coughing fit and then saying "oh dear" or "deary me"...

I know that mask wearing is optional now, but you go down two flights of stairs to go into a basement theatre, in Winter, in central London when cases are rising - surely it's just common sense to wear a mask in these circumstances - it could not be more high risk, especially with people cheering and laughing loads? The strange thing was quite a few of the same people who were in the theatre mask-less then ended up leaving and heading to the tube at the same time as me and wearing masks on the tube!

Just wanted a rant and wondered if others were encountering this too and what they thought. I would not have attended the show if I had thought it would be majority maskless and it hasnt been my experience anywhere else (in central london, where I live) so just wondered if things are changing or if i was unlikely on this particular night...

It's up to the venue to enforce it. No, I don't think you're unreasonable but the PM doesn't seem to give a sh1t so I suppose we can't be surprised others don't either.

This has been the first time I've encountered this in a similar setting - most theatres for plays/musicals which I have been to (I have been out regularly) have encouraged mask wearing and the public were at least 75% wearing them. I was just so shocked that it was the opposite.

I have been to many west end shows that don't reflect this at all tbh.

When did you book the tickets? I'd suspect they were enforcing masks more strongly at the time of booking.

I can confirm people think that if they're double or triple jabbed then they're immortal, yes.

Since July we've been to: Be more chill, Joseph, six, anything goes - and I wouldn't say there's been more than 30% mask wearing. At Joseph for the mega mix, there were no masks. The palladium was absolutely packed.

I didn't mind at all though.

I’ve definitely noticed more coughing going on than usual (me included), a distinct long covid cough.

I am still waiting my booster but even without it I will take the option of not wearing a mask where it is optional.

It is optional in England and therefore we all need to manage our own opinions and decisions. You could have left had you felt that strongly that everyone must be masked and no you are not being reasonable to expect the majority to base their actions on what you think is the correct one.

@girlmom21

When did you book the tickets? I'd suspect they were enforcing masks more strongly at the time of booking.

No, it was only about 10 days ago...

I was at a gig in Edinburgh last Saturday, a fairly large venue. There was a reminder before the show to wear masks but very few people did from what I could see. Similarly, the age demographic was firmly in the over 50’s bracket. I was quite surprised given that masks are still required in Scotland.

@Stuffin

I am still waiting my booster but even without it I will take the option of not wearing a mask where it is optional.

It is optional in England and therefore we all need to manage our own opinions and decisions. You could have left had you felt that strongly that everyone must be masked and no you are not being reasonable to expect the majority to base their actions on what you think is the correct one.

Can I ask why you would choose not to wear one in the circumstances mentioned though? Aren't you concerned about catching covid or passing it on when it seems statistically speaking that at least 6 people in the theatre would have had covid?

Perhaps it's because I have not caught covid that I am more anxious about it - both being ill of course and, perhaps more, the idea of having to isolate for 10 days (I live alone) if I did catch it...

I also suppose I am very much a rule follower and the theatre supposedly "requested that you wear a mask" and therefore I felt the terms of my booking and choosing to go meant that I was willing to wear a mask and everyone attending would have done that..

I've been to the theatre and cinema loads and seen very few masks. I didn't wear one either.

Round here, the people who aren’t wearing masks are middle aged or younger. I won’t go to Sainsbury’s any more because the staff mostly don’t wear masks, nor do the customers. I won’t go to cinemas or theatres because of people not wearing masks.

We wear masks everywhere indoors. We avoid people who aren’t wearing them and I hate the fact that shops urge people to wear them, but, unless it’s the pharmacy, it never happens. The hand sanitiser is usually grubby and/or empty and I’m feeling like we have to stop going anywhere again.

No one I know who has been triple jabbed thinks they’re immortal. On the other hand, we’re far more conscious of our mortality and are pretty fed up with those who don’t extend the courtesy of wearing a mask, as we do to them.

YANBU at all of course.

More than 47.000 cases yesterday and 147 deaths.

@actiongirl1978

Since July we've been to: Be more chill, Joseph, six, anything goes - and I wouldn't say there's been more than 30% mask wearing. At Joseph for the mega mix, there were no masks. The palladium was absolutely packed.

I didn't mind at all though.

Perhaps it is just luck then.. I've been to The Mousetrap, White Noise, Oleanna and Operation Mincemeat and IME it was certainly the majority of people masked and I would say more than 3/4s..

Can I ask why you would choose not to wear one in the circumstances mentioned though? Aren't you concerned about catching covid or passing it on when it seems statistically speaking that at least 6 people in the theatre would have had covid?

I am more than happy to take risks in life especially ones I think are low. I would rather live a life that it enjoyable to me and sitting in a stuffy mask would make that experience unpleasant.

DH had covid and still suffers 11 months on but he also is of the same opinion about restrictions and masks. If I caught covid then that's the risk I am willing to take to live a pre covid normal life. If masks were mandatory I wouldn't pay to go which would be my choice just as it's now a choice to stay away if masks are important to others.

I don't know where you've been going. I went to the Theatre in the West End the week they reopened and the vast majority had masks.

Since then mask wearers are very much in the minority IME.

I go with what seems normal for the people I'm with, so I wouldn't wear one in the theatre now either.

TBH I would think twice about going if masks were enforced and theates don't want people to do that.

It does affect your enjoyment and comfort and I'm not paying £££ to spend an evening uncomfortable. I'm happy to stay away and not inflict my masklessness on people if the majority seem to want masks, but they don't.

I was there recently too and no-one wore a mask that I could tell. Afaik it was nearly a week ago and I’m Covid free so far…
I’m going to risk it in some situations esp after I’ve had my booster (next week).

YABU.

I haven't worn a mask since they stopped being legally enforceable and barely anyone I know bothers either.

I don't wear one because I'm not convinced they make any obvious difference. Most people don't wear them properly and don't wear proper medical-grade masks either. I don't think a piece of cloth makes any difference to whether I'll catch COVID or not, tbh.

I went to see the Saturday matinee of Mousetrap a couple of weeks ago and would say maybe 10-20% of the audience wore masks during the show. Masks were worn on entrance, walking around and exit but not during the show.

Presumably you were asked to test before going too. People with a negative test don't need a mask. You can't pass it on if you don't have it.

There is no legal requirement. Most people understand that masks are fairly pointless & an unnecessary imposition, regardless of age.

Whilst I think everyone on the trains should wear masks I'm not convinced that it would prevent the spread if you are sitting with the same people for two hours.
Have you encountered covid yet? It spreads like wildfire.

This is why I won't go to the theatre or cinema. I would be too stressed about people not wearing masks and the lack of ventilation. Sorry OP.

WTF475878237NC I think your approach is sensible.
If people are concerned enough about masks to be checking who’s wearing them watching shows and then checking the same people on the tube they should stay home.