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!

Is this government really that brave to take on disability acts and rights?

Essentially, this is what would be required. Back in March, a few changes were made but still had to go through the proper process. A part of that process is letting us have a look and a say.

But hey I'm just the moron who doesn't want anyone wearing anything that makes them feel uncomfortable. That hasn't insulted any individual person or sworn at any individual. I would have also said yea mate, I'm against compulsory miniskirts and why.

Wear your mask, don't wear it. Nothing to do with me at all. I have said that as well more than once, so I suppose I should stop banging on about that as well.

Mask wearers will be wearing them and whatever they sneeze/cough out should stop most of that spraying over everyone else right?

The thickness etc of the material will impact how much gets through. Oh I did the spray test weeks ago when it was first mentioned. Microfibre is better btw for absorbancy. Some of the masks on sale you would get more protection with some single-ply toilet roll.

So if I'm out and about without my mask, and stay away from you then why should it matter what I wear? Why should it matter if I get on public transport without any protection?

Yup heading more and more to the Aids era.
The homophobic violence was horrific both physically and verbally. That was also instigated by the government, churches etc.

Lots of hysteria about omg I'm gonna catch it from a handle. The toilet seat. Omg I was touched. Similar to the language aimed now at none mask wearers.

Police Chiefs blatantly attacking "The Gays' 1987, told still no rights by the government who were sticking to the stance of Family Value, even though they were aware of the violent and brutal acts that were being committed.

Then Section 28 was created. And many were imprisoned as a result. Mention the word gay or lesbian and if Clipboard heard you, anyone would have thought you told then to shove their clipboards up their arses.

Oops silly me, not relevant. How about we talk about how forced clothing worked out well throughout history.

Think of your ancestors, called whores and anything else for committing the horrific crime of showing a bit of ankle. Ie, wanted to break away from societal norms.

Well said, canigooutyet.

I wear a mask and gloves whenever I'm out - so that's waitrose and the post office.

I think it's pretty shit of people to say 'I don't want to' - to them I say well done for contributing to the spread of the virus.

Why do people think the virus is so black and white in its behaviour? oh I can social distance to 2m in the supermarket. Oh can you? Did you just walk into someone else's breathing space? Is it still in the air? How long is it in the air? Does it travel over the isle? How does it spread in A/C? What A/C is in your supermarket? Do you know the answer to all this? Course not! That's why the guidelines say go in and get out quick.

So much research disputing how much protection a mask provides from spreading the virus, but all of it acknowledges that makes do actually offer some protection - it's how much that is disputed. So I'll leave that bit to the academics and wear my mask.

Oh, thank you YouKnowWhoo
How considerate of you to understand the serious health implications masks have on various people in society. And why medically they are advised against for at least 4 million people in the UK.

Thank you for your understanding, that all we want to do is to get on with our lives just like we did before we were even told to stay in for 12 weeks.

But @YouKnowWhoo wearing gloves in a supermarket is counter productive. Until you understand how to use masks and gloves perhaps you shouldn't be judging anyone else

I have some home made fabric masks and wore one to the supermarket last week but found it impossible as my glasses completely steamed up and I couldn't see a thing. I'd already washed them with hot soapy water and rubbed with shaving foam (after quick Google) but didn't work, and I don't have contacts just glasses. Has anyone used an anti-fog spray or similar for glasses? I also found when I tried to wear it that I was constantly trying to adjust it and so touching my face which seems counterproductive.

Why are gloves counter productive? Assuming they are put on after locking the car and removed once the trolley is returned?

The only germs transferred in that case will be what is picked up within the supermarket rather than anything from the car/home environment.

Gloves also help as a reminder not to touch face etc, especially if your previous experience with gloves is for house painting!

I'd love to find a mask that allows me to see, including low peripheral vision (helpful to avoid trips and falls) and didn't make me constantly adjust it as it falls down, itches, tickles my nose or generally drives me insane!

I think generally speaking, the government has been saying for months that masks don't work. That's why people don't wear them. If the message would be something like - they might not work 100%, but they help reduce the risks of transmission by 30% so this means X amount of cases less over a period of 1 month. Instead, as there is a shortage of PPE, the government, obviously guided by their so-called 'science', has decided in all its wisdom to say that masks don't work.

However, there is increasing evidence that many countries that have made masks compulsory have had much fewer cases and outbreaks especially in more urban area, where it can be difficult to stick to the 2 m distance in shops and public transport.

In many countries, wearing a mask is seen as a mark of kindness towards others, so that if by any chance I might have Covid 19 without knowing it, I reduce my chances of passing it on to others. So, although I don't like it, I wear one when going to a shop.

I thought the glove wearers were just winding people up haha.

Oh so hang on I'm properly confused now.

Masks have to be worn in shops, public transport, etc.

But when outside they don't need to be worn?

How does that work with things like waiting to cross the road? If we are supposed to also factor in AC surely we have to factor in the wind? Spray something into the air outside and watch it travel.

Oh and what about waiting outside the school. Other people around, but parents won't be allowed into the building, so unless you are popping into a shop on your way home, the mask can stay at home? Not like you will be able to really stand around having a long chat like you used to. Hard to hear someone with their mouth covered anyway, or you have to stand far enough apart to allow for wind variation.

Talking of shops. Is it acceptable yet for an adult and another person to walk into a shop together? And are we allowed to take children in some supermarkets yet?

Why are gloves counter productive? Assuming they are put on after locking the car and removed once the trolley is returned?

Because you contaminate the glove as soon as you touch an item, which is then transmitted to the next item you touch. The same as if you would without gloves. Additionally, when you put the gloves on and take them, hands can get contaminated.
A person is better off gelling hands thoroughly before shop, then before/after loading/entering car and washing hands thoroughly afterwards once home.
Gloves are just pointless in terms of hand infection control at the supermarket and crap for the environment unless washable fabric.
But, if it helps a person stop touching ones face, rock on!

Some people who wear glasses find that some cause there glasses to steam up which when walking around isn't ideal

And agree the couple of people I've seen in a mask are the ones who think it's ok to walk right upto you and not keep the distance
I have brought some homemade ones incase I have to visit a busy place but whilst out on a walk I won't wear one

Also surely if people touch there mask / face then touch a surface w or item that would also spread it

I think that it's easier to keep to 2 meters distance outside than in the shops, but some people do wear them outside. I think it's more when in enclosed places.

I find that when I wear a mask, people tend to stay away from me!

@canigooutyet I don't think the 98% of shoppers not wearing masks in my supermarket or town fall into your 4million category.

@majesticallyawkward hand sanitiser isn't readily available anywhere here. Having come back from another european country where it was the norm, I would feel more comfortable without gloves if I knew people were sanitizing regularly, but sadly it's not available here (zero for customer use in our shops, and zero for sale). So I will wear gloves in their absence.

Of course hand washing is best, but if you are out you're not going to wash your hands until you return home again. and I can reduce that length of time by using gloves.

Also the other day my dad seen someone remove there mask to sneeze and then put it back on !!so don't assume all wearing them are doing for the good of others

@maggie90 yet there are other nurses saying they don't wear them when not working so you can't speak for all

I wear a bandana (cowboy-style) on the buses and Tubes in London. I also wear it in smaller supermarkets where space is limited. I also wash my hands on leaving or entering my house or workplace, and have access to hand sanitiser.

I wear a face covering because I have a terrible face touching habit. I rub my eyes, pull my eyebrows, pick my nose (not envy), chew my nails and scratch my ears. It stems from my cold childhood and subsequent problems with anxiety. So my reasoning is, it stops me doing three of the above things then touching the handrails on public transport. If I do touch the bandana or my face, I use the sanitiser or wash my hands when I can.

My workplace has gloves and paper masks but they are more for when contact with customers is unavoidable such as in an emergency situation or when a member of the public is drunk or under the influence of drugs. I note that the police are not wearing masks generally unless, again, close contact is unavoidable.

Whether face coverings or paper masks are actually effective is another thing. Some evidence says yes, some no. So we have a personal decision to make.

@YouKnowWhoo I've managed to purchase hand wash online at a normal price from an online chemist
And the supermarkets here seem to have sanitiser
Gloves concern me as people seem to not understand how these are used and I don't wear them I wash and then sanitise my hands , I use sanitiser before entering any shop and upon leaving which I think is better than gloves personally

@strugglingwithdeciding ohhh there is always one!!!

I find personally the mask & gloves stop me fidgeting - I don't take my phone out, touch anything extra etc. I was driven demented one day by a bit of hair that kept tickling my face, now I make sure hair is back, cuffs on clothes dont fall down too long and rest on the trolley.. that sort of thing.

@strugglingwithdeciding sadly none here to buy at all :(

I will wear one if/when they're compulsory

@strugglingwithdeciding my "always one' comment is about your dad seeing someone sneeze freely

I've got hand sanitiser online now, but there's none at all to use in the shops here, or buy in the shops, so I know nobody else is really doing it. gloves working for me in my routine :)