... to ask why people are still wearing masks?

[KatyKopykat]

I've seen several people wearing a mask in shopping centres and on buses and trains.

Either because they have covid themselves but everyone seems to be expected to go to work, etc even if they’re positive. So maybe they feel bad and are doing the best they can.

or they’ve heard about the rising numbers and the new strain and are worried.

that independent sage group have said now is the time to start wearing masks again.

im not wearing a mask but I’m not bothered at all if people choose to.

It's so interesting that people are so invested in what others wear on their face. I have a theory that it upsets some - even makes them angry - because it makes them uncomfortable by reminding them of covid and disease and a vague fear that they're still vulnerable.
I'm not a mask wearer myself,but feel massive sympathy with those who are because I assume that they're vulnerable or have a vulnerable relative and are doing what they can , even if futile, on the small chance that it might help. Likewise if they're wearing it for good manners, because they have or suspect they're ill, massive thanks.
Personally if I was in that situation I'd wear one of the good uncomfortable face masks - can't remember the name - that I wore to fly at end covid period. There is actually some research from Cambridge uni amongst others that I find persuasive suggesting that these types of masks at least reduce viral load and therefore severity of illness , even if they don't eliminate the risk.

The Cochrane Review (on which most of the "masks don't work" rhetoric was based) was so badly misinterpreted by those without the relevant skills/experience in understanding scientific papers, that a further statement had to be issued in correction

Statement on 'Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses' review | Cochrane

However, research without those limitations is consistently showing that wearing FFP2 or FFP3 masks reduces your chances of catching (and therefore spreading) covid.

No idea! I hated wearing one and certainly wouldn't wear one for the fun of it. All seems a bit pointless now. I assumed it was people being ultra paranoid or attention seeing.

If I have a stinky cold and I need to go to the shops, I wear a mask as a courtesy to other people. People have been doing this in other countries for years

Yes, not wanting to die or cause another to die from a preventable cause - so attention seeking.

Because they got taken in by the government and the fear is like a comfort blanket. They simply cannot let go. That’s why you are getting so many prickly answers from closet mask zealots and so many Covid hysterics start threads about whether we should have lockdowns again.

So many words, such little substance. It’s like a poor version of chat GPT text.

I'd still wear one if I was ill to reduce the risk of spreading my virus around. They do this in the far East and it's just courtesy.

Also if I have to sit near other people for any length of time, eg theatre, cinema, train, if they are cat owners I'll get an asthma attack. Wearing a mask helps cut down the allergens reaching my lungs.

Why are people so defensive about @KatyKopykat ‘s question?! We weren’t wearing them ten years ago so I think it’s a pretty reasonable thought as to why now when there’s no pandemic!

@EvelynBeatrice

It's so interesting that people are so invested in what others wear on their face. I have a theory that it upsets some - even makes them angry - because it makes them uncomfortable by reminding them of covid and disease and a vague fear that they're still vulnerable.

I tend to think it's much simpler than that. They just don't appreciate being asked to do things, particularly for other people, and especially by the government. Thus we saw resistance to the full tranche of pandemic tools - vaccination, lockdown, isolation, venue spacing, etc. - as, at their heart, the public is being given instructions. Some people do have genuine reasons for not wearing a mask. I honestly don't care what people do as long as they don't make a fuss about it or care about what I do. There does seem to be an odd correlation between the loudness of a person and their lack of ability to wear a mask, I find.

Erm…. Are you also ok? This is weird.

you do realise Covid is real right?

I haven't seen a thread like this. Can you link a recent one?

And your “stupid sheeple being controlled by the government scaredy-cats” post was insightful and substantial, was it?

It’s funny how all these anti maskers take their science info from Facebook yet when quoted with numerous actual scientific sources won’t accept them.

Sorry it’s an inconvenient truth that Covid exists and is a risk.

They are vulnerable or want to. Maybe they want to avoid catching coughs / colds too (or reduce the risk). Also talk of new strain, my mum received tests in post and a letter to say she could have medication to reduce symptoms given she’s clinically vulnerable. Covid isn’t over, the pandemic part is but it continues to make people sick and I know 2 people with long covid which has really impacted their life, so if you can reduce risk then worth doing it

Not pointless, as Covid cases are rising;
Not ultra-paranoid, (see above);
Not attention-seeking, as it's hardly a panda in a pink tutu - it's just a mask on a face

I don't have a problem with people wearing a mask for whatever reason. As pp have pointed out there are many but what I do find strange is the person in my local grocery store who still wears gloves. They serve no purpose whatsoever unless rhey change rhem for every customer

I'm fine thank you. I'm a regular user of the site, not a troll of any kind, not about to start singing Can't Stop the Feeling and I've never made a post about masks either. It was one simple question.

The pandemic is not over. The emergency phase of the pandemic is over.

Thanks for this, I have found answers hysterical in some cases and quite rude and nasty. No need for it, simple answers will do.

Over 600 died registered as "involving covid" in the last 7 days.

Mask wearing in many other countries is the norm, with or without a pandemic, Korea still recommends their wearing and still compulsory in any healthcare setting.

I keep coming back to this response from you. Shows your true colours re this "innocent question".

You don't know me nor my "true colours".