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Original poster

Face mask - levels of compliance in your area

105 replies

Derbygerbil · 25/07/2020 20:04

I’ve been to a number of small and large shops (In Suffolk) yesterday and today, and all but two of around 100-200 adults were wearing a mask/face covering, and 95%+ of those were wearing it correctly (ie over face and nose). I was surprised, firstly, that compliance was so high and, secondly, at how much people seemed to treat it like second nature and often wore their masks outside and between shops when they didn’t have to.

It would be interesting to know how common this has been elsewhere as i’ve read other reports that seem to indicate uptake is less blanket. Are certain areas more compliant than others?

OP posts:

frillseeking · 25/07/2020 21:53

Pretty much 100% here in Hertfordshire. In Hackney where family are it's not happening at all

anon5000 · 25/07/2020 21:54

Quite a few people in the local Co Op not wearing masks.

So encouraging that not everyone thinks masks are the big magic cure everyone on MN thinks they are.

Daisychains20 · 25/07/2020 21:55

@Derbygerbil work in the middle of a town and from the office I can see majority of the shops, so it’s bakers, local Tesco and co op, independent hardware stores, petrol garage etc.

Grufallosfriends · 25/07/2020 21:58

100 percent compliance here in South East supermarkets!

Why would you not want to protect others by covering your mouth and nose?

happytoday73 · 25/07/2020 21:59

Very high in aldi... One family weren't.. Dad realised half way around... Asked someone why all the masks... Sent rest of family out, grabbed milk and eggs to shop.. Paid and left embarrassed.

helloyouminx · 25/07/2020 21:59

Someone I follow on Facebook has been posting lists of shops in the local area that aren't enforcing the masks to encourage everybody to go to these shops. He has quite the following of people who are in agreement the masks are a government ploy to control.

anon5000 · 25/07/2020 22:01

Why would you not want to protect others by covering your mouth and nose?

People are wearing them because A, they have been told too and B, because you think it will protect you.

GertieGumboyle · 25/07/2020 22:02

Pretty much 100% where I live. I loathe them, and am not convinced that they are necessary, but can't afford a fine. I used a scarf as a "face covering" when I went into Tesco, and had to leave immediately as I was too hot and bothered. So if Boris Johnson wants people to go shopping, he needs to ditch the stupid mask idea, as people will not choose to shop if they suffocate in the process.

GertieGumboyle · 25/07/2020 22:04

Masks are disgusting, filthy things, btw. If anything was ever harbouring some vile germ, it would be a mask. When they're not on people's faces, they are on their heads, on their chins/beards, scrunched up in handbags and pockets etc. Absolutely revolting.

Itstartedinbarcelona · 25/07/2020 22:05

DH went to Tesco’s last night and he was the only one wearing one (North Warwickshire). Doesn’t surprise me to be honest, there’s a thread on the local Facebook page where Coronavirus deniers are pedalling their views. Lots of Brexiters round here taking back control...

Original poster

Derbygerbil · 25/07/2020 22:10

@anon5000

Whether you accept the validity of the advice or not, the health advice has been consistent over the past month that your mask protects others, their mask protects you. I think most people
realise this.

OP posts:

RhubarbTea · 25/07/2020 22:11

Big town in the SW, pretty much 100% compliance here. One chap in the post office queue without one and he looked defiant and uncomfortable.
Lots of people wandering round holding their mask in the hand outside shops and just putting one on to go in shops.
About 50/50 split of people with/without masks outside, almost 100% with masks in shops.

DamitJanet · 25/07/2020 22:15

Went to Tesco today and only saw three people without, whether they were except of chiding not to I have no idea. Most round here (Norfolk) have been wearing them the past week or so though.

DamitJanet · 25/07/2020 22:16

Choosing not to ...

echt · 25/07/2020 22:32

With the encouragement of $200 fines in Melbourne, compliance is high.

All exceptions I've seen have been teen boys and men and no, I don't imagine for one minute they had exemptions.

manicinsomniac · 25/07/2020 22:32

100% from what I've seen.

I find it confusing tbh. I've been wearing one in shops since May which is when I swear I first saw it recommended in public places on a daily briefing. Then it was announced around 2 weeks ago that it would be mandatory on the 24th. Yet even on Thursday I'd say there was 30-40% compliance from what I could see. Then suddenly 100% yesterday. Not sure what was so magical about an arbitrary start date. It was obviously important last week if it's important this week.

ApplesinmyPocket · 25/07/2020 22:47

In Bristol yesterday and a small Glos town today, everyone I saw in shops wore masks. Some/many kept them on in the streets outside too, which I did myself as I'm trying to get used to it. And it's working; although I'm in my 60s and asthmatic, there were long stretches of the day when I forgot I had it on at all.

JaceLancs · 25/07/2020 22:49

North west here
Every where I’ve been today people have been complying where they need to
Some people seem to be able to wear masks more easily than me though
I struggle so only put it on when I have to - others seem happy to wear for longer

SupergirlPants · 25/07/2020 22:53

@frillseeking

Pretty much 100% here in Hertfordshire. In Hackney where family are it's not happening at all

I'd say compliance was about 95% in my local Sainsbury's in Hackney. Not so much outside of course, understandably.

JacobReesMogadishu · 25/07/2020 22:54

In my corner shop today and 50/50. Seemed to be the elderly who aren’t which surprised me. Guess they may have health conditions but they’re also most at risk of Covid so you’d think they’d want the rates lowered.

Original poster

Derbygerbil · 25/07/2020 22:58

With such apparent levels of compliance across the country, it makes the pockets of non-compliance rather puzzling. I wonder if the North Warwickshire Tesco has been the focus of anti-mask Facebook shares.

OP posts:

TheGreatWave · 25/07/2020 23:01

@manicinsomniac

100% from what I've seen.

Well, that's the issue some people have - why yesterday? what was the reason for that date? It was arbitrary - I didn't wear one Thursday, I wore one today simply because I now have to.

Isotope456 · 25/07/2020 23:07

Went up to the local shops in the village earlier. Compliance in shops was 100%. About 50-60% were wearing outside too - I think, like me, it was just inconvenient to take it off between shops.

Bandol · 25/07/2020 23:07

France here.
In my area 100% mask wearing since it’s become compulsory, but before then it was around 90% in my local supermarket on a voluntary basis. (Some shops had chosen to enforce obligatory mask wearing since shops reopened in May, prior to it being compulsory in all public enclosed spaces this week.)
I’ve seen no sign of medical exemptions. All adults wearing a mask in shops. In a fast food restaurant I observed people entering without a mask being given one for free. And in my local supermarket you have to buy one if you don’t have one. My local shopping centre had had a mask vending machine for a couple of months now.

BlackPetunia · 25/07/2020 23:07

people are taking masks out of handbags and putting them on and off in the car....But there’s no hand washing going on

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