Taking the train next week - what to remember?

[frankgetthedoor]

I’m going on train next week to visit a relative for a couple of nights . Will have a face covering with me . DM coming with me and due to severe MH issues she has an exemption card and lanyard and letter (exemption supported by GP, her MDT and MH nurse; said risk of wearing a mask and subsequent MH issues far worse than risk not wearing one poses) .

It’s about a 1 hour journey by bus (usually very quiet), 1 hour wait in station and then a 30 minute journey by train . We have thought it better to go now - we’ve only had 3 covid cases in the last week (rural Scotland) than to wait and risk numbers rising again .

I’d have to wear the mask from point of boarding the bus til leaving the train station at the other end wouldn’t I? I’m assuming I can’t/wouldn’t be allowed to drink water or anything and can manage that for a couple of hours !

Is it quite easy to work out where you can and can’t sit once on train? I’m assuming just as far away as possible from anyone else . Bit nervous as haven’t travelled by train for a long time - DM not for years - and have only really been out a few times since March ... any advice welcomed ..

You're massively overthinking this.
I take 4 trains every day. It's not a big deal. Some people wear masks, some dont. NO ONE is policing it. I take mine off if I'm in the carriage or seat square by myself.
Of course you can drink water.

I don't know anything about where to sit etc but you absolutely can, if needed, lower your mask to drink.
Also, I think you won't need to wear one if waiting in an open train station outdoors.

I get so hot in my mask so tomorrow when I am doing a longer journey I am taking a cool bag with some ice packs in to hold against my forehead every so often.
You can remove the mask to eat and drink. It's going to be hot tomorrow so if am taking lots of drink.

When I got a train in England I was assigned a socially distant seat number, so I just sat there. The reality is the train will be near empty so find an empty carriage and sit there

I hate the fact that this is the world we live in now. The mask thing is bloody horrible.

I took 2 trains today and they are absolutely fine.
You can remove mask to eat and drink.
Honestly nothing to worry about.
If it's a outdoor station you can remove your mask.

I hate the fact that this is the world we live in now.

This is not the world 'we' live in. It's a situation that the op needs to consider in more detail because of who she is travelling with. She (and you), would quickly see that it's really not a problem. I've been on the train a few times, I've mostly had the carriage to myself.

How is it not the world we live in now?