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Original poster

Amount of people wearing masks

171 replies

Yetiyoga · 03/08/2020 22:33

I have seen a lot of people not wearing masks in shops here, I would never say anything as there may well be a reason. But on the scenes you see abroad where masks are mandatory everywhere, including outdoors, it seems that everyone just wears one there but lots of people in the UK seem to make excuses. I get being exempt, but are we just less tolerable?

OP posts:
Derbygerbil · 05/08/2020 06:50

@manicinsomniac

I agree. I don’t think masks in shops are likely to make that much difference on their own, though every bit helps. The bigger impact is that they are a constant reminder of the pandemic and that the virus hasn’t gone away, and that influences other behaviour, even subconsciously. Before masks were brought in, there was a definite feeling amongst many that “it’s all over now” with the associated impact that has on behaviour.

It does seem as though there’s some correlation between high infection rates and lack of mask wearing. However, I would have expected mask wearing to suddenly increase in non-mask wearing areas once lockdown restrictions are put in place and infections are spiking, and certainly not be the exception. The fact that
doesn’t appear to be the case really surprises me.

Goyle · 05/08/2020 07:06

High compliance where I live, but many people use public transport too so they pop into the supermarket then take their groceries home by tube or bus. They just don't bother taking it off. There is a lot of people not wearing it properly and fiddling with it. I wonder if it really helps tbh.

Biggest group of noncompliance is from the under 25 group, I've noticed.

minnieok · 05/08/2020 07:32

Only around 2/3 wear them in my experience, I do not believe 1/3 have genuine reasons not to wear one. I hate wearing one, they hurt my face (I have neurofibromyalgia) but I wear mine and I'm annoyed others are using technical get out clauses. Asthma being the most common (if your asthma is that severe you can't wear a mask you shouldn't be doing the shopping etc)

minnieok · 05/08/2020 07:33

Oh and little kids in Scotland manage to wear them just fine too.

minnieok · 05/08/2020 07:36

And it's noticeable that in Waitrose 95% wear them Lidl only 50%. Next door to each other. Interpret that how you want.

Balhammom · 05/08/2020 08:35

@Notfeelinggreattoday

The Covid legislation means you are not legally required to wear a mask in shops if exempt.

However, my point is that shops are legally able to refuse entry to those who don’t wear a mask.

These are really not difficult concepts to follow.

Illusionordelusion · 05/08/2020 08:36

Large city, west mids.

All wearing masks here.

annabel85 · 05/08/2020 08:55

@minnieok

And it's noticeable that in Waitrose 95% wear them Lidl only 50%. Next door to each other. Interpret that how you want.
The working class aren't taking Covid seriously is the issue.
MabelMoo23 · 05/08/2020 09:01

@Illusionordelusion you say that, I’m also in the West Midlands and yes supermarket shopping, I’d say 95% wearing masks.

But I went to Merry Hill Centre at weekend and it was very noticeable that there were quite a few people not wearing masks - they were mainly men and older teenagers, both male and female.

I don’t believe for a second they ALL had exemptions

I’m also glad it’s now law re masks because so few people wearing them, I was starting to feel very very uncomfortable and self conscious wearing one as so few were.

Purplequalitystreet · 05/08/2020 09:07

I think most people are wearing masks. Seen a couple without but they might have been exempt. Or they might have just forgotten. Yesterday I went into a deli for a sandwich. Placed my order and looked at my phone while I waited. It was only when I was paying that I realised that I was merrily swinging my mask in my other hand. I had totally forgotten to put it on. Bet I'm not the only one either.

Theforest · 05/08/2020 09:30

I've only seen one person in a shop without one.

LangClegsInSpace · 05/08/2020 09:37

@minnieok

Only around 2/3 wear them in my experience, I do not believe 1/3 have genuine reasons not to wear one. I hate wearing one, they hurt my face (I have neurofibromyalgia) but I wear mine and I'm annoyed others are using technical get out clauses. Asthma being the most common (if your asthma is that severe you can't wear a mask you shouldn't be doing the shopping etc)
There are no 'technical get out clauses'. It's not like the shielding list - there is not a list of conditions that make you exempt.

If you can wear a face covering then you must wear one.

If you cannot wear a face covering then you don't have to and you are still allowed in shops and on public transport.

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/592/regulation/4/made

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/791/regulation/4/made

MinnieMousse · 05/08/2020 09:43

I was surprised how many people were not wearing them when I we t to Tesco. The majority were but there were several couples where neither person was wearing them and I find it hard to believe that both parts of each couple would be genuinely exempt. Compliance was generally pretty high but I suppose it seemed lower to me because I just spent a week in France where absolutely everyone wears one, including staff. There was a high proportion of people wearing them in non-compulsory locations too - out on the street or at outdoor tourist attractions, which I haven't seen here.

I do think as the majority are wearing them though, those that aren't wearing them because they don't want to or can't be bothered, as opposed to those who are genuinely exempt, will start to wear them as they stand out more by not wearing them.

Iwalkinmyclothing · 05/08/2020 09:43

I got laughed at by a shopkeeper the other day for wearing a mask. He said I don't know why anyone's wearing those, they don't do anything. Could not be bothered to argue but I don't think I'll be going back to his shop for a while (which is annoying as they have the best range of Tymbark juices to which my family is addicted). What gets me is that the customers are asked to wear masks to protect each other, his staff and him. If he's laughing at his customers for wearing them he's basically laughing at people for trying to keep him safe.

BellaintheWychElm · 05/08/2020 09:44

The working class aren't taking Covid seriously is the issue They do tend to let the side down Sad

TheGreatWave · 05/08/2020 09:50

I'm not sure which is funnier, the idea that the working class (whoever they are) are not taking it seriously or that it is only them that go to Lidl?

Notfeelinggreattoday · 05/08/2020 09:54

@Balhammom its also not difficult to
Understand that most shops have said they won't challenge people as they also understand some are exempt
People make me cross when they stay at home if you can't wear one with no understanding of that persons reasons . I can wear one but i also appreciate others can't and dont expect them to not go to a shop
For months
Anyway the amount of people i have seen adjusting masks and touching faces etc , I'm not convinced that they are that great if people aren't wearing correctly etc
Just to add our lidl almost all are wearing masks , why are some people so far up their own arses

BellaintheWychElm · 05/08/2020 09:57

I wonder how many people are wearing them in Aldi - any working class people on here who can confirm?

Derbygerbil · 05/08/2020 10:04

I wonder how many people are wearing them in Aldi - any working class people on here who can confirm?

I went to Aldi last week... 100% compliance. In don’t think anyone would describe me as working class.

Original poster
Yetiyoga · 05/08/2020 10:06

@BellaintheWychElm what on earth? What has class got to do with it?

OP posts:
Illusionordelusion · 05/08/2020 10:07

@MabelMoo23

I’ve only been to aldi and Tesco and have honestly not seen one person not in a mask.

Off to touchwood today so could be different there.

lifeafter50 · 05/08/2020 10:09

Lol at working class and Aldi!
Must look to see what class badge people are next time I'm in there.
What's on e checklist these days?
Not so easy is you don't have the 'hay' distinction (cloth cap/bowler/top hat)

mightbealittlebitmad · 05/08/2020 10:15

Most people seem to be wearing them here, we've had our clusters of cases so it's clearly not linked into lack of mask wearing in shops.

I put one on if I have to go in a shop but as I hate wearing one for any length of time I'm not shopping as much as I was pre mask.

lifeafter50 · 05/08/2020 10:15

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mightbealittlebitmad · 05/08/2020 10:18

@Purplequalitystreet

I think most people are wearing masks. Seen a couple without but they might have been exempt. Or they might have just forgotten. Yesterday I went into a deli for a sandwich. Placed my order and looked at my phone while I waited. It was only when I was paying that I realised that I was merrily swinging my mask in my other hand. I had totally forgotten to put it on. Bet I'm not the only one either.
I did that yesterday, purposely put one in my bag for when I went to the shop but I totally forgot until I was pretty much done. Nobody said anything at all although they probably didn't want to cross paths with the grumpy stressed one coercing 2 children around the shop. I was not having a good day which was glaringly obvious.