... 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.

That confuses me to Sapphire. Although I say that as someone who puts their mask on after I get on the bus every day not before.

I saw a man wearing a mask today, it was covering his chin, but not his nose or mouth. It’s good to see people taking appropriate precautions against Bolivian Chin Disease, isn’t it?

Was he perhaps outdoors, in between shops? That would be fine, especially in today’s heat.

Perhaps he wears it properly when he is closer than 2m from people.

Perhaps he doesn’t ever wear it properly.

Does that negate the basic principles we have established?

Any mask other than surgery standard masks do bugger all to stop the spread of covid but if people want to wear them that's up to them. Just don't force this bollocks on anyone else.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57636360.amp

To quote the findings of Cambridge University researchers:

‘Wearing a high grade mask known as an FFP3 can provide up to 100% protection.
By contrast, there is a far greater chance of staff wearing standard issue surgical masks catching the virus.’

This particular report doesn’t mention FFP2 masks, but my understanding is that they also provide protection although not quite as much as FFP3. They’re affordable, sold at Boots etc, not difficult to wear, and they are the ones I’ve been going for.

Personally I always thought the mask thing was a nonsense and stopped as soon as I could, but I really wouldn't judge other people for wearing one if that makes them feel safer. Live & let live.

If they brought the rule back in, I would not comply (except in hospitals & surgeries).

ha ha so you think masks work in a health setting but are nonsense anywhere else? Makes you wonder why AHPs bother wearing them.

You would comply, herd instinct and to avoid getting fined.

ha ha so you think masks work in a health setting but are nonsense anywhere else? Makes you wonder why AHPs bother wearing them.

Health workers had proper masks, not dirty cloths.

You would comply, herd instinct and to avoid getting fined.

I did not comply with the 2nd mask mandate when it came in. I would comply in a healthcare setting because I don't think it's too much trouble amongst vulnerable people, but I don't personally agree that it makes a difference.

Nice try 😉

Surely, it's obvious why people are wearing masks. Unless you've been living in a cave recently your question seems quite disingenuous. Most people who ask have an agenda.

I’m confused by this post. You differentiate between ‘proper masks’ and ‘dirty cloths’, but then you say you don’t think masks make a difference. Does that include ‘proper masks’?

I'm not suggesting masks worn in clinical settings during surgery don't work. Hope that clarifies.

So your belief is that the mask works (i.e. prevents Covid transmission) in that particular setting, but wouldn’t in a regular setting e.g. a supermarket? Because there are more people and more moving around in a supermarket or other ‘real-world’ setting? Is that it? Just trying to understand what you’re arguing.

I was making a distinction between the different types of masks, not where they're used.

I said live and let live, does that sound like an argument?

Nope, sorry if ‘arguing’ was the wrong word, ‘believe’ if you prefer. I’m really not trying to fight, just trying to understand what your position is. So you’re saying you do think good quality masks prevent transmission in any setting, and it’s fair enough for others to wear them if they want to, you just prefer not to?

Sort of, I think it's fair enough for people to wear whatever they want on their face (or not, as the case may be). Re. good quality masks, I've never looked into their effectiveness to be fair but I'm happy to assume HCPs are wearing them for a good reason.

Have a great evening 🙂