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Covid

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Original poster

Youths and face masks

34 replies

UltimateWednesday · 12/07/2020 07:46

This, I'm sure, depends very much on where you live but here we seem to have three kinds of mask wearers:

People wearing them for sensible CV related reasons
Young men and teenagers wearing them so they are unrecognisable on CCTV
Teens wearing them as a fashion item so they look "hard" like someone who doesn't want to be recognised by CCTV, although in reality they're only up to mild mischief at most.

Honestly, round here there's far more youngsters wearing masks than anyone else.

It doesn't seem long since people were campaigning for face coverings in public to be banned for security reasons and now we have this.

Have you noticed it where you live? Is it a price we have to pay?

OP posts:

Chaosreigns123 · 12/07/2020 07:49

Yes I know what you mean and I've started to see this by me.

Aragog · 12/07/2020 07:53

We have teens wearing them here but it seems to be mainly as they're the ones using public transport more and are relying on cars less.
The teens I know aren't wearing them to look hard or to hide themselves.

Original poster

UltimateWednesday · 12/07/2020 07:56

We've got gangs of kids on bikes wearing them. So safety concious they don't have helmets but all wearing masks.

OP posts:

CaptainMyCaptain · 12/07/2020 07:57

It seems to be mostly older people wearing them where I live. I don't think I've noticed teens wearing them.

TheWildRumpyPumpus · 12/07/2020 07:58

How do you know that the young person or man wearing the mask doesn’t want to be recognised in CCTV or is planning ‘mild mischief’?

SquirmOfEels · 12/07/2020 08:00

I see people of all ages wearing them.

I'm in London

I think use of public transport might be a factor, plus many shops insisting. Easier to put on and leave on.

And of course many cyclists wore masks long before covid, because of all the particulate crap in the air. That type of face covering is still very much in use, and worn both on and off the bike

islandislandisland · 12/07/2020 08:00

I've seen way more elderly people wearing them and can't say I'd make the same assumptions about them... Maybe the kids parents have told them to for the safety of others. Either way they're doing something that's been recommended to all so I don't think it's something to pass judgement on. If someone wanted to wear a mask to hide their identity then they would, pre or post covid.

MoggyP · 12/07/2020 08:00

How do you know that the young person or man wearing the mask doesn’t want to be recognised in CCTV or is planning ‘mild mischief’?

Pure invention, to entertain the readers?

Original poster

UltimateWednesday · 12/07/2020 08:00

Well, there's been at least one robbery where the perpetrator was wearing a mask and I'm assuming that most groups of young people are actually decent enough and not criminals, even though they're hiding the faces. Unless you think groups of 16yo boys are really wearing them to protect each other?

OP posts:

Stuckforlong · 12/07/2020 08:02

I've seen young men and teenagers wear them as they should on the tube , it's other people I've noticed who seem to forget to wear them

coffeewithmilk · 12/07/2020 08:05

Oh dear, I asked a similar question on a thread yesterday and people are very opinionated when you have dividing opinions on mask use.

All I will say is; some youths seem to think they are invincible and don't wear a mask/ other have medical/personal reasons for not wearing them/ some wear them and some don't - simple as.
I can't generalise about the CCTV comment as it would be impossible to actually prove this is an accurate statement.

BlusteryLake · 12/07/2020 08:06

Jesus, teenagers can't win can they? If they wear a mask when with their friends they're up to no good, if they don't then they are selfish bastards trying to kill off old people by coughing on them.

coffeewithmilk · 12/07/2020 08:07

The previous thread, just for you to get some of the varied opinions

To mask or not to mask http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am iibeingunreasonable/3964998-to-mask-or-not-to-mask

One thing I've learned on MN is to not make a statement about anything as if someone feels differently to that statement they can become very condescending about it. I'm sure some people will feel that way about the cctv comment.
Sorry OP, just warning you.

GardenDramas · 12/07/2020 08:07

Unless you think groups of 16yo boys are really wearing them to protect each other?

Yes, I think many teens are a lot more aware and switched on than some adults. It's sad that some people, seeing young people being responsible and following the guidance, are inventing back stories because it's too hard to comprehend that they may actually just be responsible young adults

022828MAN · 12/07/2020 08:09

There's similar going on here. I nearly drove into a bike yesterday with 2 young lads on, one sat on the handlebars, going the wrong way up a one way street, paying no attention. They were wearing masks though which I thought was ironic.

labyrinthloafer · 12/07/2020 08:09

@BlusteryLake

Jesus, teenagers can't win can they? If they wear a mask when with their friends they're up to no good, if they don't then they are selfish bastards trying to kill off old people by coughing on them.

Yes, this to some extent.

Masks will become the new hoodies?

Original poster

UltimateWednesday · 12/07/2020 08:09

Unfortunately I work with some of the teens in question and it really isn't the socially responsible ones who are wearing the masks.

Maybe it is in some areas but here, I think this is gang related and it scares me.

OP posts:

labyrinthloafer · 12/07/2020 08:13

@UltimateWednesday

Unfortunately I work with some of the teens in question and it really isn't the socially responsible ones who are wearing the masks.

Maybe it is in some areas but here, I think this is gang related and it scares me.

I'm not understanding perhaps why it scares you more than the crime situation did already. We don't have enough police and youth services is what scares me, after the government cut 20000 officers and councils stopped being able to afford youth services!

Masks seems a small change to that landscape.

Original poster

UltimateWednesday · 12/07/2020 08:15

Yes, the whole gang situation is scary with or without masks but seeing gangs roaming the streets in masks is threatening, more so than when their faces were exposed.

OP posts:

BillywilliamV · 12/07/2020 08:19

I can have no conversation with anyone that refers to young people as youths, because they have already made up their mind that these young people are BAD.. and nothing I say will make any difference.
I refer you also to the word "roaming".

Original poster

UltimateWednesday · 12/07/2020 08:20

I have teens of my own and I work with troubled teens. I wouldn't survive a day if I was as judgemental as you've just been about me

OP posts:

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 12/07/2020 08:23

Think we are seriously unfairly nit picking at teenagers. I’ve seen all types of people who wear masks and those that don’t. You have no idea who’s up to no good, it’s an assumption made up of their age, looks, sex etc.

As for people pointing out some teenagers wear masks and not helmets on bikes- well I could say for same for many parents who put a protective cover on their iPad but let their young children ride scooters without a helmet.

StrangeAddiction · 12/07/2020 08:28

Unfortunately where I live no one is wearing them. When I've been in a shop there has been me and maybe 1-2 others wearing one amongst loads of shoppers and shop workers.

I'd love to see all the kids/teens round here wearing face masks while they're out with their mates as you'd never know there was a pandemic going on. From what I've seen, everyone is back to normal

BillywilliamV · 12/07/2020 08:30

I' ve not judged you, just your use of language, it is inflammatory and unnecessary.
" Working with troubled teens" means very little. You could be an administrator in a secondary school or on the drive through window at McDonalds, I hope you're not having too much more to do with them than that quite honestly.

123th · 12/07/2020 08:36

If they're wearing them correctly then they're doing better than people round here. Saw one guy wearing it hanging off one ear the other day whilst doing his shop. And about 85% of people only bother to cover their mouth - or just their chin!

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