To those that don't want to wear a mask...

[Iamchangingmyusername]

I've seen a lot of threads on here with people annoyed that they have to wear a mask in public.

Aside from those with a legitimate medical reason, why are some people so anti mask?

Genuinely curious. I have had to travel to and from work throughout lockdown and the introduction of masks on public transport made me feel somewhat safer. Noticing less and less people wearing them, or wearing them as a decorative chin strap.

If the environmental aspect worries you, Figment then you can use a fabric one. It doesn’t have to be a throwaway one.

Wash when you’re home and iron on hot.

@DianaT1969

What do the posters who say they don't want to wear a mask think about the study in Poland that found narcissists and people with sociopathic/psychopathic tendencies are most likely to refuse? It's because they don't think they work (they know better than scientists) or they don't care about others. Interesting stuff!

Everyone who has said they don't want to wear a mask has still said they will if in a situation that they should do.

I don't particularly like waiting at a red light on a clear junction but I do because it is the correct thing to do.

Not liking a mask doesn't make people morally corrupt. I am not sure why some posters are so insistent that others need to happily want to wear a mask.

Happy mask day everyone!!

I’ll be in store 10-7 today and will NOT be wearing a mask.

Not until it becomes mandatory. Won’t be enforcing customers to wear either, that’s down to the police

@BlackPetunia

What shop do you work at? I’ll make sure I give it a wide berth.

black hope it goes ok.

I think in terms of staff, different shops have different rules. The guy I spoke to in Asda last night said they were very much expected to wear one.

@BlackPetunia
Please remove your head from under the rock.

www.gov.uk/government/news/face-coverings-mandatory-in-shops-supermarkets-shopping-centres-and-enclosed-transport-hubs-from-friday

@BlackPetunia

Oooo you're well hard

Given that retail workers are significantly more likely to die of covid than the general population (60% more likely for females and 75% more likely for males), I find it strange that very few staff in the shops around me are wearing any type of PPE. Wonder if it's a case of they don't have access to any (which is neglectful of their employer) or they just don't want to wear it.

[quote PestymcPestFace]@BlackPetunia
Please remove your head from under the rock.

www.gov.uk/government/news/face-coverings-mandatory-in-shops-supermarkets-shopping-centres-and-enclosed-transport-hubs-from-friday[/quote]
You may wish to actually read what you linked to as it quite clearly stays shop staff don't have to wear a mask.

@BlackPetunia

Thank you for the consideration you’re giving to two of my vulnerable, shielded friends who now have the confidence to be going to the shops for the first time today since lockdown. I’m sure they’ll appreciate your keenness only to do the absolute minimum in an attempt to show selfish defiance.

What has happened on the stroke of midnight to make mask wearing desireable?

I would have had sympathy for the mask argument had masks been introduced at the correct time back at the height of the pandemic. But they were not. They have been introduced now in an attempt to lure people back to the shops in some misguided view that they will feel "safe" (how I have come to hate that word). Time will tell if that works or not...

Putting that aside who would want to wear something that covers half of your face, disguises emotions, makes it harder for people to hear you speak, makes you sweat etc.

So I will avoid all places where they are required to the extent I possibly can.

What has happened on the stroke of midnight to make mask wearing desireable?

You could say that about every single rule in history... They all need a date and time from when they apply, unless you seriously expect the Government to state “we have decided that this action or restriction needs to happen, and we require compliance with immediate effect. You have to prepare? Tough!”

The law changed randomer. It went from masks are highly recommended to they are compulsory.

Hardly anyone bothered to wear them so the government was forced to mandate for shops etc. They will probably add retail staff and customers in pubs etc, who are not seated, soon.
Seems the UK population don't like to be asked nicely to help contain a global pandemic. They have to be forced.

Finding mask wearing desirable is generally a niche fetish. Finding them a jolly sensible idea in a pandemic is just a slightly annoying necessity.

To those hat don't want to, go to Sainsbury's and Asda 😀

@randomer

They had to give people a bit of time to buy or make some.

Seat belts were available from 1965 but weren't mandatory until the 31st of January 1983. Just because something isn't made mandatory by the government doesn't mean it isn't helpful.

But I see your point, and tbh I think the UK have ballsed up introducing masks compared to other countries. They've done it a bit too late, and should have put public health adverts on the TV and radio and where to buy them/how to make them, how to wear them, and why they are helpful. It's not surprising that a lot of people don't want to wear one when they aren't convinced if they are helpful or not.

1. Masks are not mandatory for retail staff
2. All the major supermarkets have announced that they will not be forcing customers to comply or refusing entry
3. The Downing Street statement yesterday made it very clear that fining people is an absolute last resort and that they are taking a very soft approach to this. So much so, that they specifically refer to the 'voluntary' take up of mask wearing by the public. The government have also made it clear that people who are exempt are not required to carry proof (they can if they wish) and under no circumstances should they be asked to show proof, by retail staff or by the police. The public have also been told not to contact the police about this.

Sorry if that disappoints some of you as it's clearly not what you were hoping for.

BamboozledandBefuddled

Why are you so vehemently against helping to protect other people?

All the major supermarkets have announced that they will not be forcing customers to comply or refusing entry

Of course they aren’t, as certain people will be exempt! Imagine the issues if Sainsbury’s stopped a disabled person with chronic breathing problems from entering. Those who are vehemently anti-mask have seized on this as big thing. It’s really not.

Basically, if you’re determined not to wear a mask and have no exemption, you’ll probably get away with it... in much the same way as I can easily get away with littering, driving at 50mph through my local village.

@Itsarattrap

BamboozledandBefuddled

Why are you so vehemently against helping to protect other people?

I would imagine if other people stopped being such utter cunts about it all if would be easier to be altruistic. As it is tight now whilst I will wear a mask as, asked as I just want to be left in peace, there is not an awful lot of people I actually care about.

@BamboozledandBefuddled

1. Masks and or visors should be offered to retail staff, as they are statistically more likely to die from covid than the general population, and have a slightly higher risk of dying compared to health care workers, according to the Office for National Statistics. The only reason I can think of that makes them higher risk than health care workers is that they both deal with the public, but the majority of one group wears PPE while the other one doesn't. Up to the workers themselves if they want to wear them I guess, but other occupations have to wear PPE like hard hats etc under health and safety laws, so I think it should be similar for occupations that seem to be high risk for covid atm.

1. No, because they are probably worried about their staff getting abuse from people who have no valid reason for not wearing one.

1. I don't get why it would need to be enforced. It's not hard to put a face mask on, unless you have a valid reason why you can't, but the majority of the people can wear one with no problems.

@Itsarattrap

BamboozledandBefuddled

Why are you so vehemently against helping to protect other people?

Far from it. I've been doing what I can to help protect those who have been subjected to vile comments, hatred, called liars and, in some cases, are now afraid to leave their homes as they cannot wear a mask.

As for the people who have been dishing out the abuse, etc - why would I want to protect them?

[quote Popc0rn]@BamboozledandBefuddled

1. Masks and or visors should be offered to retail staff, as they are statistically more likely to die from covid than the general population, and have a slightly higher risk of dying compared to health care workers, according to the Office for National Statistics. The only reason I can think of that makes them higher risk than health care workers is that they both deal with the public, but the majority of one group wears PPE while the other one doesn't. Up to the workers themselves if they want to wear them I guess, but other occupations have to wear PPE like hard hats etc under health and safety laws, so I think it should be similar for occupations that seem to be high risk for covid atm.

1. No, because they are probably worried about their staff getting abuse from people who have no valid reason for not wearing one.

1. I don't get why it would need to be enforced. It's not hard to put a face mask on, unless you have a valid reason why you can't, but the majority of the people can wear one with no problems.[/quote]

The problem is, even if all retail workers wear masks it won't offer them any protection. Customers need to be wearing them too.in order to protect staff.

I'm back to work in a large supermarket when shielding pauses and from what I've been told staff are expected to wear masks too. I hope the vast majority of customers wear them as well otherwise I'm unlikely to be able to continue working. There's nothing that I can do to protect myself if others decide not wear masks. I really wish N95 masks could be available for those who want them so that the wearer can protect themselves.

If its to be believed, the mask is to stop you catching the virus, not to stop you giving the virus to folk.

This is incorrect. The standard surgical mask or fabric face covering reduces the risk of the wearer transmitting the virus to others. It doesn't protect the wearer.

Only N95 of ffp3 masks protect the wearer.

@BamboozledandBefuddled

Your attitude seems to be screw everyone else, including people you've never met, because some other people have offended you?

@Hearhoovesthinkzebras

Ah that sounds very stressful, it must be so strange to go back to work after shielding for so long. I know surgical masks aren't proven to protect the wearer, but I think they must do a little bit. I work in a hospital and have worn a surgical one at work most of the time, sometimes a ffp3 depending on what task I'm doing. I tested negative for the antibodies, as did the majority of my colleagues. I've been around a lot of patients with covid, and had symptoms before staff testing was available so was expecting it to be positive (I know there's a chance I have had it but don't have the antibodies anymore). Also none of our staff have been hospitalised or died since May, so I think they do help a bit. Hope your return to work goes okay.