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Original poster

Face coverings to be made compulsory in England

469 replies

Redolent · 13/07/2020 22:46

Sky News just reporting that from Friday 24 July it will be mandatory to wear a face mask in shops/stores in England. Fines of £100 if you don’t (reduces to £50 if payable within 2 weeks).

OP posts:
oliviaskies · 14/07/2020 00:29

So do I now have to explain my mental health issues to the staff at every shop I go to, and then no doubt to people in the shop that might challenge me? How long for? I just feel like it's far late to start enforcing something like this.

Davodia · 14/07/2020 00:29

How funny that a few months ago they were saying that masks make no difference. And now they’re compulsory. What’s changed? Basically this just proves it was all lies to prevent the public stockpiling PPE.

ohtheholidays · 14/07/2020 00:30

Great Id isolated from the begining of march because I'm disabled and ill.

But I'm also going deaf now and I can lipread what am I supposed to do not go out for the rest of the year or longer?But I have 5DC and my illness is one there is nothing they can do anything about and I'd like to be able to spend time with my DC whilst I'm still able to.

Hearwego · 14/07/2020 00:30

I’m sure the police are loving these new rules. More work for the poor sods to worry about.

Standardy · 14/07/2020 00:32

I’m sure the police are loving these new rules. More work for the poor sods to worry about.

Almost as if it's their job!

LemonadeAndDaisyChains · 14/07/2020 00:32

Basically this just proves it was all lies to prevent the public stockpiling PPE

Based on the actions of the public panic buying every bloody thing in the shops and stripping shelves bare at the beginning, if that is indeed the reason I don't bloody blame them to be honest!

LemonadeAndDaisyChains · 14/07/2020 00:32

Too many bloodys in that sentence oh well lol

Standardy · 14/07/2020 00:32

@ohtheholidays why wouldn't you be able to see your DC?

RedToothBrush · 14/07/2020 00:33

@PumpkinP

The thing is people will say no one will abuse people for not wearing one but I just don’t believe it, I’ve already seen the absolute disgust on my local fb group for anyone who dares not to wear one and people saying they have asthma and still manage to wear one so make out like others are making it up or faking it
Of course they fucking will.

It'll all kick off in Aisle 6 by the baked beans when Jeff leans over 5 year old little Timmy and Fred spots Jeff is breathing all over his child.

Or 80 year old Mavis with a medical condition is by the pasta and some political activist starts shouting at her for 'killing everyone' for being selfish for not wearing a mask and Mavis is distress and a member of staff steps in.

Hearwego · 14/07/2020 00:33

DW works in a supermarket. I’ll be telling her not to get into confrontation with people not wearing masks. Not her problem. She doesn’t get paid enough to police these new rules that change like the weather.

kittensarecute · 14/07/2020 00:34

If it means social distancing is ditched quicker than I'm quite happy.

kazzer2867 · 14/07/2020 00:35

@Lissy23

Can it be any face covering or does it have to be a mask? I was thinking a buff or scarf pulled over my nose and mouth.

Face coverings are fine.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1309061/face-masks-rules-change-compulsory-shops-date-boris-johnson-coronavirus-lockdown

FusionEsque · 14/07/2020 00:35

I don't know how I'm going to be able to work in a shop for nine hours a day, lugging heavy crates of beer, dragging cages everywhere, not to mention serving hundreds of customers, wearing a fucking face mask. It's hard enough for 15 minutes on the train.

LizB62A · 14/07/2020 00:36

Absolutely pointless unless they're the right type of masks, worn properly, changed as soon as they get damp, only touched by the straps when putting them on and taking them off
People will just feel safer, they won't actually be safer especially if the 2m rule is relaxed

Standardy · 14/07/2020 00:36

DW works in a supermarket. I’ll be telling her not to get into confrontation with people not wearing masks. Not her problem. She doesn’t get paid enough to police these new rules that change like the weather.

If only that was what the government were saying. Oh it is. They've said it isn't up to shop workers to enforce.

Standardy · 14/07/2020 00:38

Actually studies have shown any mask or covering to reduce transmission by 40%. It was a German study if you can be arsed to Google it, although it relies on the majority wearing masks, so we're a bit screwed here.

Nobodyputsdaisyinthecorner · 14/07/2020 00:41

This might be a rubbish idea so please be kind of it is... I just want to make a suggestion without being lambasted...

But what about some kind of badge for those who can’t wear masks. Much like the ones pregnant women can wear on public transport in many cities. It quickly communicates the situation without repeated awkwardness and frustration. Perhaps?

PestymcPestFace · 14/07/2020 00:42

LizB62A it is not about the wearer being safer. Face coverings reduce egress, making those around the wearer safer. Hence the need for uptake to be quite wide.

NOS4A2 · 14/07/2020 00:42

@Standardy

I’m sure the police are loving these new rules. More work for the poor sods to worry about.

Almost as if it's their job!

It shouldn't be their job to police why Bob isn't wearing a mask. There are actual crimes they should be policing ffs
Hearwego · 14/07/2020 00:42

**If only that was what the government were saying. Oh it is. They've said it isn't up to shop workers to enforce.

No but some customers will complain to the shop staff that’s people aren’t wearing masks and will expect them to challenge them.

Nobodyputsdaisyinthecorner · 14/07/2020 00:45

I feel shop workers should have the right to refuse to serve anyone without a mask if they wish but they absolutely should not be expected or mandated to get involved with every dispute and report about someone not wearing one. That’s not their job. They work hard enough.

Standardy · 14/07/2020 00:45

It shouldn't be their job to police why Bob isn't wearing a mask. There are actual crimes they should be policing ffs

They won't be policing why, unless bob can provide an exemption certificate or whatever they choose to use, theyll just be giving him a fine- nice and quick. Might be nice to actually see some police around the city centre anyway, added bonus of being a nice deterent. Its not like people are going to be calling 999 and they'll respond on blues and twos if someone isn't wearing one. And yes, it is part of their job along with 'actual' crimes.

RedToothBrush · 14/07/2020 00:45

@Standardy

I’m sure the police are loving these new rules. More work for the poor sods to worry about.

Almost as if it's their job!

They don't come out for car thefts or burglaries a lot of the time now because they are so short staffed.
HeIenaDove · 14/07/2020 00:46

Compulsory in shops and hairdressers. But not pubs. So the blokes fighting outside our local Wetherspoons last Friday will be pleased.

Women cant get a facial wax but men can get their nose hairs plucked.

Blessed be the fruit!

Hearwego · 14/07/2020 00:46

The thing is the people that are exempt will
stand out and may feel embarrassed to not wear a mask, or be abused for it. Maybe those people will feel uncomfortable going to the shops?
I’d feel awkward being in a busy shop with people looking at me suspiciously, if I was exempt.