Why are people not wearing masks?

[FergusComeLately]

I’m queuing inside my local supermarket, I’ve see one other person wearing a mask.

Does it not make sense to just TRY to protect other people and try and keep infection rates down. Even a scarf wound round your face?!

I think they should be compulsory when you are inside. Is it the PPE shortage which is preventing Boris from making it so?

Talk to me about masks!

And if that happens, I fully expect those of us who can't wear them for medical reasons to be subjected to abuse by the moral minority every time we leave our homes.

Hopefully there will be enough of us standing up to the peer pressure from the covid puritans that that won't happen.

No doubt there will be Instagram mast virtue signalling shortly!

The government also said in mid-March, led by their scientific advisors, that a crowded Cheltenham Festival was fine to go ahead because outdoor events are low risk. You choose who to believe - our country with its death rates in the 10s of thousands, or others.

I don’t trust our govt one bit- in fact I despise them. I listen to what they have to say then make my own mind up based on what other countries are doing and common sense. The scientific advice about Mask wearing from WHO is very similar to our govts so, on this occasion I will follow their recommendations.
Maybe because I live rurally things are different, it just isn’t busy anywhere, I don’t need to wear a mask when I go for a walk as I usually only see someone else from a distance, it would be ridiculous to wear one. If I lived in a busy city I may think differently.

I don’t understand people.

Masks help to stop the spread of this new virus.
We are in lockdown, have been for weeks.
Reports coming from countries who have encouraged mask wearing are good - they help to slow the spread.
But no, don’t want to.
Even just in shops Or crowded places to help protect others, and in turn others are protecting you. I honestly don’t understand.

Are these the same people complaining about lockdown, worrying about the economy way above the ramifications of a novel virus? Yet mask wearing, which would speed up the country’s recovery - oh no, no, not doing that

If you could post your evidence of your claims and explain why the WHO isn't recommending their compulsory usage, that would be great PinkyandtheBrian

People don't wear them because we had all the messages about how they don't work and can even make things worse.
We don't know what type of mask we should have. Whether they are reusable. Where to get them from etc etc.
I want to get one but I'm.so baffled I haven't yet. I wish they'd make them compulsory like in other countries

Even just in shops Or crowded places to help protect others, and in turn others are protecting you.

Don't wear one on my behalf, I don't need protecting.

I have watched people wearing masks when in the supermarket queue

I think they are ridiculous and offer no protection. The ones wearing a mask when in the queue don’t seem to realise how much they touch their face. They then push the mask down off their face. Rub their hands over their face then leave it down.
Or it is on their head .

If they need to cough then they pull it down to cough

Don’t get me started on gloves.

I think the majority of people should wear masks in public settings - particularly in hospitals or taking taxis/public transport. If it means we can get through this faster, I’ll happily wear one.

There is research ongoing, as up to now mask wearing has been accepted in Asian countries but not in the western world.

One study is written about here.

There was an academic paper published a few days ago about the efficacy of masks and how to improve them for use in limiting transmission of covid.
On my phone so will find it and link it soon.

There are also many articles by drs explaining why masks contribute to slowing the spread, and also why gloves probably aren’t that helpful. Again, I’ll find and link.

I have no idea why the WHO isn’t recommending masks. I know they have been criticised for many aspects of handling this pandemic, and being complicit in China’s initial cover up, and leaving Taiwan out of their reports even though Taiwan handled it incredibly well. As an organisation it’s far from perfect.

The WHO used to recommend masks for pandemics, then this pandemic went pan very quickly and there were not enough to go around.
If everyone in a nice rich country like ours bought medical grade masks, the market would find them by hook or by crook, then 3rd world medics would be left short of protection.
Hence we now need to think about fabric face coverings as the are reasonably effective in stopping germs escaping from an unwitting asymptomatic carrier.

It doesn't mean we can get through this faster, so if that's why you are wearing one - that's a belief .. a bit like a belief in god or father christmas or the power of prayer ...rather than a fact backed up by evidence
Hth

Don't wear one on my behalf, I don't need protecting.

You don’t know anyone who is vulnerable? You don’t want to do something tiny that might make a huge difference within your community?

Jesus what’s gone on in this country to make people so fucking selfish.

Masks are only recommended when social distancing is not possible.

I haven't yet been in a situation where I've needed a mask. Even when I go to my supermarket I find it easy enough to social distance.

Social distancing and hand washing are the most effective ways to stop the spread.

I can’t actually breathe when wearing a mask but me wanting to be able to breathe is selfish now!?

Really don’t understand why people are being called selfish because they want to be able to breathe fresh air.

www.linkedin.com/pulse/saving-your-health-one-mask-time-peter-tippett-md-phd?fbclid=IwAR3V7S3LiYQsdzfGOPgAl3zH2s6RxGGvZkENV_0AULMOWY0DuWvzlyrmsOM

That's a link to a vanity fair article

Just saying ....

Love all those saying they can't breathe. You can't breathe when you're dead from Covid either.

@HerbieHerr Yes, very selfish. Don't you realise that if you go breathing all over the place, people will DIE! Just do the right thing and stay at home. Wear a mask as well (just in case - you can't be too careful). Breathing is probably over-rated anyway, and quite possibly non-essential as well so just find something to substitute for it. Welcome to the New Normal

People aren't wearing masks because they were told not to for months.

i dont think wearing a mask is just to protect others, it protects the wearer, too.
but have to be careful how to use it, not touching it with dirty hands, etc.

Only just come across this thread...yes, OP, I have wondered this too. Why aren't people wearing masks? OK, so we don't have to and yes, 2 metres apart should keep us clear but once in a supermarket, people are not always 2 metres and pushing past etc.

I bought - at great expense - a batch of masks and have been wearing them. I have also worn a scarf covering which I can wash after each use too.

I also can't understand why people aren't wearing gloves. I find it extraordinary. I wear gloves while I'm shopping and pushing my trolley and remove them once I have loaded up and am back in the car, and sanitise my hands. When I get home I wear a new set of gloves to unload and bring everything up, discarding these once inside and I can wash my hands thoroughly. Then I scrub down and sanitise all the shopping and re-wash myself.

I have seen people in shops, handling trolleys, handling store goods, touching their face or putting their hair back and rubbing their eyes, checking their mobiles, handling goods again....not a glove in sight.... I find it odd...

And please be aware that people with lung disease will have been advised not to wear a mask, as they already have breathing related issues.

Ok, so you have to ask yourself, if my links are to fashion articles and linkedin, is it possible that the science behind my belief is perhaps not as clearcut as it could be? Is it possible that my belief is a belief rather than a scientifically proven fact. Beliefs are just fine. Lots of people are praying right now for an end to covid, for example. But not so many people get all het up about why other people don't just pray for an end to it too, I mean...don't they care? Don't they want this to end sooner? Are they just selfish?
You stick with your belief that non surgical masks are helpful in non hospital settings and I'll stick with mine.
(There is also a political aspect to the Chinese driven push for what is called 'mask diplomacy')

i find sanitary, disinfectant wipes more useful than gloves.