Is mask wearing limiting your economic participation?

[byvirtue]

I knew mask wearing was mandatory in shops but I hadn’t heard about the new restrictions that have come out today www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53702291

I had planned to head to a spa for a couple of days this month for my birthday and we were going to book a staycation in a hotel in September. We would have easily spent £2k on these trips.

Now it seems that masks are mandatory for spa treatments and in hotel public areas we won’t be going. I personally find face coverings unpleasant and they significantly reduce my enjoyment so I'd rather not bother.

We are fit and healthy with money to spend and were happy to get out and spend money prior to face coverings becoming mandatory. These new rules mean the opportunities for us to spend money have been notably reduced.

I’m curious are these extended face covering rules going to lead to you spending more or less now?

@CherryPavlova

Drumple you are taking it as a personal attack when it is not about you personally. I’m well enough qualified. It is about this country and you are entitled to not wear one - does that mean many people can’t? No, it means vague guidance as ever from the government. Deaths related to respiratory conditions in this country have fallen dramatically during lockdown- which suggests asthma and COPD are in part related to U.K. air pollution.

You haven’t answered my question.

You’re every bit as vague as the govt

I’m entitled to not wear a mask. And go out.

And I’m going to do that. And those, like you, who think I shouldn’t be put the door are wrong.

And the next person who challenges me in real life (which has already happened) will be told to fuck right off.

How exactly are you well enough qualified cherrypavlova, out of interest? Because that was a very broad statement you made.

@PiataMaiNei

How exactly are you well enough qualified cherrypavlova, out of interest? Because that was a very broad statement you made.

The 'qualification' probably involved reading a social media post by an (alleged) nurse, insisting that no respiratory conditions would cause you problems when wearing a mask.

If we have so many highly qualified medical 'experts' in this country, why are they all wasting their time on the internet instead of filling vacancies in the NHS?

I am thinking a tiny minority who can’t because in other countries everyone usually does with very few exceptions. They seem to manage regardless of being a bit hot or steamy.
I accept this government is consciously vague to avoid making itself more unpopular and the exemptions mean more people aren’t required to, but that isn’t about can’t. If someone waiting or having a lung transplant can, there are few medical conditions that really mean you can’t (as opposed to don’t want to. There might be a few with trigeminal neuralgia who can’t, but most can.

I have ptsd from trauma involving suffocation. I can't wear a mask and function (yes I've tried and it nearly got me sectioned). I don't go anywhere that they are required. That seems to be a common theme in the trauma group I'm in.

so much for the claim that other countries find it easy to wear masks and "It's no big deal".

@lljkk there have been demonstrations in Germany too but we mustn't let facts get in the way of criticising our fellow Brits must we.

Yes, I don't really go anywhere that requires me to wear a mask unless it's 100% essential. I am still spending online though of course

[quote countrygirl99]@lljkk there have been demonstrations in Germany too but we mustn't let facts get in the way of criticising our fellow Brits must we.[/quote]
Germany also have an issue with the far right. The 175 or so countries that don't have the far right, don't have anti-masker movements.

CherryPavlova

I doubt you're more "qualified" than OH's consultant who has strongly advised OH not to wear a mask due to medical reasons, so he won't be.

@ChavvySexPond which European countries don't have a far right movement? And Germany is often quoted on MN as a country that complies well with masks.

trappedsincesundaymorn I don't think its about individuals - although plenty of consultants aren't happy to do battle, so will go along with whatever. I can't say I blame them.
The guidance is vague, the guidance is inconsistent, the guidance leaves too may loopholes and opportunities for excuses. We have a culture that allows people to do virtually whatever they want without sanction and that is different to many mask wearing countries where compliance is the norm. People in those countries seem to manage just fine without histrionics or vast numbers of exemptions - there will inevitably be a few, but not many

CherryPavlova

Of course it's about individuals. OH has epilepsy, because of how his seizures start he can't wear one....other people with epilepsy can and do. Also if you think OH's consultant isn't "happy to do battle , so will go along with whatever" then crack on, I know different.

@CherryPavlova

trappedsincesundaymorn I don't think its about individuals - although plenty of consultants aren't happy to do battle, so will go along with whatever. I can't say I blame them. The guidance is vague, the guidance is inconsistent, the guidance leaves too may loopholes and opportunities for excuses. We have a culture that allows people to do virtually whatever they want without sanction and that is different to many mask wearing countries where compliance is the norm. People in those countries seem to manage just fine without histrionics or vast numbers of exemptions - there will inevitably be a few, but not many

Can you supply evidence that those suffering from conditions that would allow exemption here but don't elsewhere are doing fine, as opposed to simply not being visible because they're unable to go out?

Three customers in a supermarket today, coughing. Two were adults who thoughtfully pulled their masks down before coughing, one of whom then handed me money. Third was a child who was coughing and whose mum then said they'd probably best go home as he didn't sound well.

It's not wearing masks that's limiting my economic activity - it's having to share the environment with people like that

Wearing a mask is uncomfortable and not at all pleasant, particularly in the heat. It definitely puts me off browsing round a shop or doing anything I don't have to.

I will of course wear a mask when I have to, but I admit to being slightly sceptical about how useful it really is and I suspect it's more performative than anything else. (If people had good quality masks and were wearing them correctly all the time, it might be different.)

And, as we can see on this thread, it gives people another reason to criticise others for not being good enough/law abiding enough /COVID fearing enough now that they can't criticise them for sitting on a bench.

@larrygrylls

NewKitty,

I think mask whingers encourage others not to wear them.

It is funny that I have seen zero threads on MN moaning about seat belt wearing, speed limits or pretty much any other infringement of our liberty in the cause of the general good.

I hate wearing a seat belt and remember how much more fun driving (and being a passenger) was when we did not have to wear them.

But I guess people realise that they save lives and the NHS money. So why does the same logic not apply to masks?

Well it is applying on this thread, isn’t it? We hate wearing masks and remember how much fun it was before we didn’t have to wear them. But crucially we are wearing them! Does the fact you hate wearing your seatbelt mean I don’t wear mine? No, obviously not. Basically it’s not enough for you that we’re all wearing masks when we hate them, we have to be cheerful about it too just so you feel happier. Well, sorry, but no. Our discomfort wearing a mask clearly doesn’t bother you so your discomfort hearing about my discomfort doesn’t bother me.

@larrygrylls

NewKitty,

I think mask whingers encourage others not to wear them.

It is funny that I have seen zero threads on MN moaning about seat belt wearing, speed limits or pretty much any other infringement of our liberty in the cause of the general good.

I hate wearing a seat belt and remember how much more fun driving (and being a passenger) was when we did not have to wear them.

But I guess people realise that they save lives and the NHS money. So why does the same logic not apply to masks?

If seatbelts stop you 'driving for fun' I'd say that's a good thing. Have you heard of climate change?

It then becomes your choice if you drive to get you from A to B or use public transport

Masks have stopped me 'spending for fun'. I still wear for work. But it is my choice what I do in my leisure time

Askme,

Absolutely, I have never said people should be compelled to wear a mask and go out and buy tat! In addition, buying yet more new clothes is not exactly eco friendly, either.

I just find it curious that there are no anti seat belt threads, no anti cycling helmet threads and no one any longer moans that they are forced not to smoke in public indoor spaces.

It does seem to be a question of habit and acclimatisation.

@larrygrylls

Askme,

Absolutely, I have never said people should be compelled to wear a mask and go out and buy tat! In addition, buying yet more new clothes is not exactly eco friendly, either.

I just find it curious that there are no anti seat belt threads, no anti cycling helmet threads and no one any longer moans that they are forced not to smoke in public indoor spaces.

It does seem to be a question of habit and acclimatisation.

There are many cyclists that don't wear helmets...

I have no idea if that's illegal or not. But presumably if cyclists were being criticised cycling without one, there would be posts about it somewhere 🤷‍♀️

Also. Buying tat and paying for services (food/drink/cinema etc) is what employs people. So not to be sneered at imo

Askme,

Yes I know about how economics works! But we have got ourselves in a mess needing constant expansion to keep people happy, regardless of the environmental cost.

I do wonder what the overlap is between those supporting climate change emergency protests and also being annoyed that shopping is no longer ‘fun’.

I bet there would have been hundreds of ‘no seatbelt’ threads if Mumsnet had existed in the early 80s.

@larrygrylls

Askme,

Yes I know about how economics works! But we have got ourselves in a mess needing constant expansion to keep people happy, regardless of the environmental cost.

I do wonder what the overlap is between those supporting climate change emergency protests and also being annoyed that shopping is no longer ‘fun’.

True. I agree. However I think now is not the time to stop spending on tat. When so many are unemployed. Lesser of 2 evils etc.

In answer to your original questions OP yes it has affected my behaviour and shopping/leisure habits. In particular I was looking forward to museums reopening as we have some good ones locally and want to take my children and support a troubled industry. But now I won’t go, it’s not my idea of a nice day out to have to wear a mask all day while trying to communicate with two young children. Similarly I don’t have any intention of going to the cinema or browsing in shops/charity shops. This isn’t because I hate masks, I’m happy to wear one in a supermarket or doctors but I’ll choose not to go places which I would count as leisure if I have to wear them there

Absolutely. While I fully understand and am totally willing to wear a mask where essential (e.g. when I had to go for a blood test at local community hospital last week), I find wearing them really unpleasant - so am just not doing anything that is non-essential for me if a mask is involved.