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Well, well, well face masks mandatory on public transport now

610 replies

Cherryghost · 04/06/2020 17:12

It's now mandatory to wear face mask on public transport with exceptions for disability, young children etc.
This should have been done ages ago.
They also admitting face masks offers some protection

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
EnlightenedOwl · 05/06/2020 11:39

@AlecTrevelyan006

And now these unforgiveable fknuggets have ruled that face coverings are to be mandatory on public transport. So shortly they'll be mandatory in all settings, and the transformation of Britain into another nation of fear will be complete. All part of the project to convince us that we should stay cowed and not question their grotesque overreach. fk 'em. I am so tired of this idiotic health theatre and the pandering to the Hysterical jumped up little Hitlers inventing laws overnight that criminalise any behaviour they fancy. There's no longer even a pretence of being led by the science; this is just their way to lay the ground to unwind their equally idiotic antisocial distancing policy so that people can actually use public transport. And to placate the unions, rather than just rounding up all the union leaders in a field and breathing on them from less than two metres away until they die of fear.

And all the while deaths outside care homes trend to zero. Of course there are deaths in care homes. It's what fking care homes are for. If we actually cared about our old people we wouldn't warehouse them in value-engineered quasi-prisons until they have the decency to pop off. We didn't care in 2018. So why are we pretending that we care now?

The staggering thing is that thousands of Brits are prepared to rise up in protest at the behaviour of someone else's police force 5,000 miles away, but do sweet fk all when their own government makes houseguests illegal.

I don't think there has ever been a time in history when the entire world has lost its collective mind so thoroughly and for so long. The blame lies with social media and the astonishing percentage of people who for some inexplicable reason think it's a reliable source of information rather than just village gossip writ large. People now believe the crap they read on Facefk and ttter more than the evidence of their own eyes. Based on the public's reaction, you'd think we had unburied bodies piling up on street corners, and barrows going past with men crying out "bring out yer dead". But I still don't have a personal connection to anyone under 80 who's died. In my entire personal extended network there is one person I can name who's been hospitalised with Covid during the whole pandemic. And most of the over-80s I know or know of who've died recently didn't die of Covid. (Mostly cancer, as it happens, and of course that's a whole 'nother story).

I wonder how long they'll be able to milk it after the deaths caused by Covid have gone to zero? How long will we carry on counting "deaths with Covid19 appearing on the death certificate" bearing in mind this requires neither a positive test nor a doctor actually seeing the patient at any point? How long will they carry on bleating like Chicken Little about a second wave, even after no-one's getting ill?

Anyone want to bet that the "temporary" Coronavirus Regulations will still be in force next year, in five years, in ten years - like speed limits, that other "temporary experiment"? Anyone want to start a sweepstakes on how long it is before we lockdown again because someone in Guangzhou gets a sniffle? Because next time Britain won't want to be last to the party, will it? Do you see Shapps, or Patel, or that egregious Khan giving up the power they now have? Do you see Boris growing a backbone any time soon after his brush with death. I don't.

Thank you Star brilliant post
MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously · 05/06/2020 11:41

If you live in rural areas or there's not many people about, then you are probably okay not to wear a mask. But in busy supermarkets on the bus or other enclosed spaces, it's considerate. Why would anyone object to doing something painless that could lower the infection rate?

Thighmageddon · 05/06/2020 11:47

For those not wanting to wear a badge stating their disability reason for not wearing a mask, get an ICE card. Ok so they're a fiver but with this you can have your disclaimer in your purse, wallet or pass holder.

www.icecard.co.uk/medical-ice/?sort=featured&page=1

Randomschoolworker19 · 05/06/2020 11:47

I think it a good thing and I have been wearing a mask to the supermarket for the last few months.

Again though, it is shocking how slow and inconsistent our government is. I guess now there's no longer a shortage of PPE for the NHS that masks / face coverings are now magically effective once again. Hmm They must have made those super dangerous and ineffective masks so much better overnight.

As for the issues with glasses, I find if you take your glasses off, put your mask on so it sits high on your face, pinch the area around your nose and then put your glasses back on, the bridge of your glasses should hold it in place and stop them steaming up.

Thighmageddon · 05/06/2020 11:47

I should have said that ds has an ASD one in his wallet for journeys too and from school on the bus.

Redolent · 05/06/2020 11:58

This really would be a significant topic of debate if, you know, very every other country in the world wasn’t doing it.

Even Republicans in the US show greater mask compliance than MumsNet.

Drivingdownthe101 · 05/06/2020 12:02

Do you think it isn’t being discussed in other countries Redolent? I know for a fact it’s a topic for discussion in both Spain and France, as I have family there.

IvinghoeBeacon · 05/06/2020 12:05

Me too, I don’t know why people think that British people are special in their objections and concerns - those I know in other European countries have felt similar ranges of views. But have complied, as I expect the U.K. public will too. It’s possible to discuss and object and still go along with it

Drivingdownthe101 · 05/06/2020 12:07

It’s possible to discuss and object and still go along with it

Indeed. So I’m not sure why people are trying to shut down discussion.

BamboozledandBefuddled · 05/06/2020 12:11

@Thighmageddon That's really helpful! Thank you for the link Smile

Xenia · 05/06/2020 12:15

For those interested in the law you can read other new regulations here www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/567/contents/made The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Public Health Information for Passengers Travelling to England) Regulations 2020. The regulations apply from 8th June. They require those involved with bringing people into England to give certain information about CV19 to passengers

Xenia · 05/06/2020 12:17

On arrival in UK these new regs from 8 June are relevant - Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (England) Regulations 2020 www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/568/pdfs/uksi_20200568_en.pdf

Not found any about face masks yet......

MyMagicStars · 05/06/2020 12:23

DD3 is very anxious about these masks, we’ve been practicing by draping a very lightweight scarf over her mouth and nose while she lies on my bed reading on the iPad/phone. DD4 has been making and selling them very successfully, the rest of us are used to them now. DD3 relies on public transport at uni so it’s really important to get her used to them.

BamboozledandBefuddled · 05/06/2020 12:40

@Xenia

On arrival in UK these new regs from 8 June are relevant - Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (England) Regulations 2020 www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/568/pdfs/uksi_20200568_en.pdf

Not found any about face masks yet......

According to gov.uk, 'The changes will be made under legislation such as the National Rail Conditions of Travel and Public Service Vehicle Regulations for buses'. When they get around to it I suppose. Is it really too much to ask that the government have all the details in place before making an announcement. It's always 'Right, we're doing this! What? Details? Yes, well, err umm, waffle, get back to you on that'. Mind you, when they do announce the details it can take another fortnight to figure out what they actually mean!
CuriousaboutSamphire · 05/06/2020 13:07

Well, that's another damned if they do tell us ahead of time or equally damned if they wait for all the documents to be rewritten and then tell us just days before.

We know it will happen; we know there are exemptions; we know transport police will be involved and we know there will be consequences.

It's not hard to understand or to wait a day or so for the written version to be ratified and published.

But a quick look back at MN threads will show you that many posters were wondering why masks were NOT mandated everywhere, weeks ago!

If you want a discussion there has to be an element of exchange of ideas. Some posters are simply ignoring the facts, the salient information and are not engaging beyond "Fuck that, I won't wear a mask"

Drivingdownthe101 · 05/06/2020 13:11

Equally, anyone expressing concerns about mask wearing are just getting told to ‘get on with it and wear a mask, or walk’. That’s not really engaging either.

ProfessorHasturLaVista · 05/06/2020 13:25

I can understand and sympathise greatly with anyone who can’t wear one for genuine reasons. Everyone else being able to wear one will still be useful. If it was found that a quick finger-prick test to draw blood was mandatory for entry to, or use of a public place or resource I’d be very panicky and trying to work around not using those facilities because even the tiniest needle terrifies me.

I don’t have any sympathy for the Not Wearing One Cos I’m Sticking It To The Man lot, though. Grow up. Roll your eyes quietly about them not being any use, mutter about everyone looking a twat in them for no reason that you can see whatsoever.......but grow up.

BamboozledandBefuddled · 05/06/2020 13:32

We know it will happen; we know there are exemptions; we know transport police will be involved and we know there will be consequences

Exactly who is exempt? Will people need to carry proof that they're exempt? If so, what? Will getting that proof involve contacting GP's and other medical personnel? I don't think any of those questions are unreasonable, they could have all been foreseen and I don't think it's asking to much to have had those details ready to release in a few minutes rather than a few days.

5MikesOut · 05/06/2020 13:38

Gwen I wear specs but wear masks with a nose wire. I find that pressing the mask around the top of my nose stops the misting .

pigoons · 05/06/2020 13:55

I have tried the specs and nose wire trick and it doesn't really work for me and it is awful for my 6 year old who wears glasses. The wire digs in and hurts his nose and his glasses steam up. So yeah it's a problem for us. So we'll probably avoid public transport until either (a) it's proven masks make not a jot of difference or (b) I get some sort of proof that the masks are causing my child significant issues and he doesn't have to wear them or (c) everyone calms down about Covid.

I would love to see the statistics about how many community transmissions there are estimated to be as the people I know who have had Covid either got it from working in hospitals, working in care homes, on holiday in Italy. Interestingly none of their family members were actually infected - the family members were tested to enable those working in HSC go back to work sooner.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 05/06/2020 14:00

Well, the outline list that Grant Shapps gave for a start.

And how would you want to identify yourself as a person with an exemption? Given some of the previous posts being asked for any kind of evidence is a Nazi esque intrusive.

So how do you think that could work?

Me? I expect the reality will be as was also explained yesterday. The majority of people who can will wear masks as necessary. Those who cannot won't and when approached will mutter I have asthma or similar and will be nodded through.

A minority will stand on their rights and will cause a fuss and will be ejected.

That's it! Mainly because it's common sense.

CaffiSaliMali · 05/06/2020 14:05

I remain anxious about this. I have seen quite a few comments on various different sites online that those of us who are exempt from wearing masks shouldn't be allowed on public transport.

Many people who can't wear masks will need to get public transport to work/the supermarket/the pharmacy etc.

How will these people prove they are exempt? I can see many being challenged or even prevented from boarding buses etc. We all know the law allows guide dogs to enter shops, restaurants and taxis and yet 75% of guide dog users report having been refused entry. So I expect similar will happen to people with an exemption.

Fortunately I can work from home and so won't need to get the tube and train to work. However, if I did have to go to the office I wouldn't be able to wear a mask as I'm asthmatic and I find a mask impedes my ability to breathe.

My other disabilities mean that I can neither drive nor cycle, and my mobility is reduced - on some days I can get the train and walk the 20 mins to my office, on others I can't and have to get a bus or the tube. So I have no other way to get to work, other than public transport.

Lots of others will be in this position, but won't be as lucky as me work wise and will be expected to go in. I wonder how many employers will accept 'I wasn't allowed on the first 4 buses' as an excuse for being late.

I hope the government will explain how the exemptions will work soon to reassure those who are exempt.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 05/06/2020 14:09

The current stance, well, what was said yesterday, was that there wouldn't be any hard and fast rules. It was compared to the banning of alcohol, that was supposed to cause chaos but went through quite easily.

Nothing so far has been tightly regulated, written in stone. There have been so many 'use your common sense' statements. That has left everyone ableto make decisions based bin thwir own circumstances. There is no reason to think this will be any different.

BamboozledandBefuddled · 05/06/2020 14:12

@CuriousaboutSamphire

Well, the outline list that Grant Shapps gave for a start.

And how would you want to identify yourself as a person with an exemption? Given some of the previous posts being asked for any kind of evidence is a Nazi esque intrusive.

So how do you think that could work?

Me? I expect the reality will be as was also explained yesterday. The majority of people who can will wear masks as necessary. Those who cannot won't and when approached will mutter I have asthma or similar and will be nodded through.

A minority will stand on their rights and will cause a fuss and will be ejected.

That's it! Mainly because it's common sense.

The exemptions don't appear to cover PTSD and claustrophobia. That needs addressing.

As suggested by another poster, I'll carry an ICE Medical card. Of course, buying that might be a complete waste of money as I don't know if it's going to be acceptable.

My comments about a 'Naziesque' approach were aimed at the public, not officials.

Of course it should all be common sense but I've yet to see any sign of that from the government. If they can make it complex and confusing, they will

Thaddit · 05/06/2020 14:20

Will there be Mask Hygiene Police prowling public transport and checking people have a clean mask on that day? If not what, apart from being gross, is there to stop the subversive from wearing the same mask day in day out? Their germs, their filth, so their problem presumably.

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