Masks in Cinemas, Museums etc.

[Rockhopper81]

So from August 8th, face coverings will become mandatory in cinemas, museums, 'indoor places where you will potentially be with people you don't know'.

I admit, I don't get it. I can go for a meal in a pub without wearing a covering, as they record details for test-and-trace, and have distanced the tables. But I will need to wear a covering to sit in a cinema, where there are already restrictions on seats (Cineworld, for example, requires two empty seats be left between groups bookings - admittedly not vertically, but horizontally), and my details are there when I make the booking on the app?

I can walk around a play park with my nephews without wearing a face covering (maintaining social distancing), but I can't do the same in a museum?

I can't be the only person who thinks this is going to dissuade people from going - is it really enjoyable to wear a face covering to a 'fun' event??

Its nonsense, you can choose not to go to a museum or cinema if you or people you know are vunerable. If you go somewhere purely to enjoy yourself then you are not going to want to wear a mask for 2-3 hours, so what is the point in opening them at all?

I disagree that masks will be required outdoors. The evidence for spreading outdoors is minimal unless you’re squished together at a rave and a high proportion of people outside will be doing exercise and hence actively advised not to wear masks.

Masks in museums makes perfect sense - it was always weird that they weren’t required if they were in shops. Cinemas I’d say you should wear them except while actually in your seat. My hairdresser required me to wear a mask including while I had my hair washed - it wasn’t a problem.

Getting really sick of this now ie rules changing just like that. The cinema was the one thing I was looking forward to. Not interested in going to the pub at the moment or going shopping for clothes as I can’t bare having to wear a mask. But I was looking forward to going to the cinema sitting on my own in peace and quiet after 4 months of working from home with my 2 dc and going state crazy. Ah well.

It makes sense to wear a mask indoors. We have been all along every time we go indoors in a public place.

I doubt masks will be required outdoors unless there is a massive and probably localised rise in numbers. Or it's a place where it's known there are going to be crowds.
I saw they have been reintroduced in some Spanish towns this week. In Italy you no longer have to wear one outside (since May) but most people will pop theirs on if approaching a group or waiting in a line for something.

The cinema rule seems a little odd/pointless. Since you're allowed to remove it to eat and drink (and assuming cinemas will continue to sell things like popcorn) people who get snack will either be constantly putting their mask off and on for every piece of popcorn which seems worse than not wearing a mask at all if you're going to touch it all the time. Or they'll just keep it off while they graze on the popcorn. It's not like popcorn is a quick snack you just eat in 2 mins and then can put your mask back on. Ditto the massive drinks they sell.
I don't go to the cinema loads but when I do I think most people in there have snacks or drinks of some sort. When I get popcorn I eat it slowly and it lasts the whole film - this is a genuine question, I assume in that scenario I'm better off leaving the mask off entirely than continually removing it? (Obviously the safest option is to not get popcorn or not go to the cinema at all, which is not what the cinemas want/need)

I hope that pp’s have it right for cinemas, that you will need to wear your mask while moving around but once you are seated it is ok to remove it.

To be honest, if they are not allowed to sell food at a cinema they may as well be closed until you don’t have to wear masks anymore. They do not make enough money from ticket sales to survive.
I agree , I'm not going if you can't eat or drink and I'm not sitting there with a mask . I'll wear it walking around but not watching the film . It's unlikely someone is going to be sat there watching you isn't it. Honestly the common sense has gone out the window in this pandemic.

[quote Rockhopper81]@Dinosauratemydaffodils

"Problem is people have created such an unpleasant vibe re masks (refusing to wear them because they can/policing other people's reasons) that many people who are exempt, don't feel they can go places where masks are mandatory. I certainly don't and I've seen plenty of others posting the same."

This exactly! I am exempt from wearing a face covering due to sensory difficulties. I tried to wear one today to pop into a shop and couldn't do it without inducing a panic attack, so took it off and scurried out within a minute or so. But I also have a big thing about confrontation, so I just won't go to places now I know I absolutely can't wear one.

I thought the cinema was one of the places I would be able to go, but I've read a few stories about people being challenged over their 'excuses' not to wear face coverings, and I'd rather not risk that, so it's just another place I won't go.

The list is getting ever longer...[/quote]
This could so be me. I went clothes shopping for the first time Thursday, I'm exempt because of my autism, but hate confrontation (and also need to follow "the rules"). Less than 5min in Primark and I was stimming big style, which meant I was getting just as many weird looks as I would have without the mask. Just got out of there as fast as I could.

*As a side note, I told the person on the door that I'm exempt but will keep the mask on for as long as possible and they were really nice about it, even thanking me for trying

@SmileTolerantly

I disagree that masks will be required outdoors. The evidence for spreading outdoors is minimal unless you’re squished together at a rave and a high proportion of people outside will be doing exercise and hence actively advised not to wear masks.

Masks in museums makes perfect sense - it was always weird that they weren’t required if they were in shops. Cinemas I’d say you should wear them except while actually in your seat. My hairdresser required me to wear a mask including while I had my hair washed - it wasn’t a problem.

the govt isn’t being guided by the evidence but by popular opinion

Imho - compulsory mask wearing will become extended to more indoor places and st least some outdoor settings by the time kids are back at school

I hope that pp’s have it right for cinemas, that you will need to wear your mask while moving around but once you are seated it is ok to remove it.*

If the government released guidance at same time as announcements we would know, but it's always days later.

The govt isn’t being guided by the evidence but by popular opinion

Exactly. This is government by social media. And if Twitter, despite the science, starts clamouring for masks on parks and gardens, that’s what we’ll get.

And yes they ARE making up these rules as they go along. Every country is.

Sadly, that's not true. As I said above, here in Germany the mask advice was laid out clearly when things started opening and has not been adjusted since.

It doesn't have to be complicated! Wear a mask if you're in an indoor or confined space with anyone other than your immediate family. If you're somewhere where you eat, you wear the mask whenever you're not seated in your socially distanced space.

That's it really. These long lists of where you have to mask are just confusing.

@dreamingbohemian do you have an issue with people, especially teens/young adults breaking the rules?

the govt isn’t being guided by the evidence but by popular opinion

I quite often think that Boris trawls Mumsnet for his next bright idea.

I went to the cinema yesterday and Everyone had masks on. I didn't know it wasn't already mandatory as it's indoors.

It was fine as the aircon was good, barely noticed I had it on. Unlike on the tube where it's humid and horrid.

I quite often think that Boris trawls Mumsnet for his next bright idea.

We'll know for sure if, at the next press conference, he tilts his head to the side, does a tinkly laugh and says "did you mean to be so rude."

Anywhere that requires a mask I'm not going to go to, I'm not going to enjoy any experience whilst feeling like I'm suffocating under a mask so what's the point. Even my food shopping looks im on the supermarket sweep 60 second dash at the moment.

@Catspaw123

It honestly feels like chris whitty is dictating the Govt is avidly following and the country, economy and people's lives being thrown under a bus

Oh dear lord. Chris Whitty understands infection prevalence, R numbers and all that goes with keeping infectious disease under control. They (the government) need to be paying attention to the science not going off on a whim!

It honestly feels like chris whitty is dictating the Govt is avidly following and the country, economy and people's lives being thrown under a bus

Really? I think Chris Whitty would love it if he was listened to a bit more! Standing next to the politicians he's normally the only one capable of more than mindless waffle and pointless sound bites.

ineedaholiday I don't think you can ever get 100% compliance, you just have to try to persuade as many people as possible. I don't get personally upset with people not wearing masks, you never know what someone's situation is.

Here in Berlin it's mostly older people who won't wear masks!

But obviously not in schools as teachers have magical immunity.

@Uhoh2020

Anywhere that requires a mask I'm not going to go to, I'm not going to enjoy any experience whilst feeling like I'm suffocating under a mask so what's the point. Even my food shopping looks im on the supermarket sweep 60 second dash at the moment.

I do think you have to try and be open minded though and give yourself a chance to get used to them. The first time I wore a mask I lasted about 30 seconds as I felt hot, claustrophobic and a complete prat. I've persevered and tried different types of masks out for comfort and today I managed an hour long hair appointment feeling relatively relaxed and comfortable.

I’m going nowhere that requires a mask other than the petrol station and emergency food.

I WISH the government was listening to Chris Whitty

As somebody who works for a museum I'm pretty upset with some of you. I am vulnerable, my partner is vulnerable, and at some point I'm going to have to go back to work when the museum reopens, and I'll STILL be vulnerable. Fucks knows what the government advice will be by then but I think you're a selfish idiot if you go to an entirely voluntary leisure activity and don't wear a mask*

*and yes, of course I'm not talking about those who can't. Just those who can but won't.

I had braces as a kid - they were horribly uncomfortable when I first wore them. Still did and soon got used to it.

I wear glasses - new ones are always uncomfortable and weird - but I wear them.

When I ride my bike my head gets all sweaty under my helmet - but I wear it.

I'd be more comfortable in a car without wearing a seat belt, but I wear it.

Just wear the damn mask