To think the government should enforce mask wearing by directing shops not to allow people in without them?

[MyNameIsNotMummy]

I’m not talking about the very few people with genuine ‘exemptions’ . I’m talking whole families and couples who can’t all have medical/psychological issues so can’t wear them.

Several times over the last few weeks, I’ve seen young couples (only younger people funnily enough) and family groups not wearing masks in my local supermarket and town shops.

I asked my supermarket why they are letting them in and they said they can’t enforce it.

Why should I and the majority of people go through the discomfort of having to put one on when ignorant twats like that just decide they’re not going to. We’re protecting them but they don’t give a shit about protecting us?

I think we should all start heckling them to get out and get a mask on like I’ve seen happen in the US.

AIBU in that they deserve to be shamed into wearing a mask if they government aren’t going to be stricter about it?

We all want to get back to normal. It’s imbeciles like this who are going to prolong it for the rest of us.

When she approached them did she stand 2m away? How could they hear her if she was muzzled with a mask and 2m away? If she did that to me I would complain of harassment. Hopefully those who were hassled will all so so and get her banned from the store like other anti-social people are.

If she did that to me I would complain of harassment. Hopefully those who were hassled will all so so and get her banned from the store like other anti-social people are.

Me too!!

I was reading it thinking, “Who the hell do you think you are?!”

How can someone be so bothered about a few non mask wearers?

How can someone be so bothered about a few non mask wearers?

Exactly. It must be really stressful getting so worked up about other people's behaviour. If people aren't wearing masks, just keep your distance. It's really unlikely they have covid anyway, there is so little infection in the community. The chance of you coming across someone with the infection, that also doesn't have a mask on is like nothing. If they're asymptomatic it's pretty much impossible for them to pass it to you - unless of course you get into a slagging match with them. Just walk on by and you'll be safe.

Mind your own business, get on with your own life and keep your distance from non mask wearers.

And all the people that say "they all wear them in Spain".
Have you ever wondered where all the autistic people are, the people with lung problems, the people with contact dermatitis or ptsd. They're at home, not able to go out and live their lives. I'm fucking glad we live in a country where we make allowences for people with mental and physical conditions so that they can continue to enter the community as it is their right to. Although some people clearly think those with issues around mask wearing should be ostracised from the community. Or be forced to "just get on with it".

Which evidence has told you that only a tiny number of people qualify for exemption from face coverings?

Which evidence has told you that mask wearing “contains the virus”?

The problem is that you clearly aren’t very scientifically literate and you seem to think that if everyone only wears a mask then the virus will be wiped out. As though mask wearing in itself is a cure for COVID. You also seem quite immature, hence the “anybody who disagrees with me is obviously a mask refuser”. No. Most people are complying with the law, but a lot of us do understand that face coverings are limited in their efficacy.

Are you also aware that incorrectly using a mask actually has the potential to increase transmission? And that the general public have been given no guidance on correctly using face masks?

Why is it always the least competent and informed people who shout the loudest? The ones who just don’t understand something are the ones who seem to have the strongest opinions on it. This OP is kind of a neat little example of the myriad ways our society is so fucked up.

For face-coverings to work as a public health measure to help slow spreading it doesn't rely and wouldn't have been modelled on 100% compliance. Factored into that is those who can't/won't. Maybe it won't be quite so effective, but on a population level it should still help reduce transmission. Granted, you might find it annoying if you're wearing a mask, feeling hot, glasses steamed up, but seriously, you're doing your bit, don't waste your energy getting worked up about those who are not, whatever the reason.

If the government had deemed it necessary then they could have tightened things up a lot, introduced a proper exemption system, made sure it was enforced by Police/courts. But they didn't for a number of reasons. It's just relying on most people following the guidance for it to have an effect. It's not part of some kind of government control conspiracy designed to take away your rights and freedoms. It won't last forever. Just do what you can/should, and don't worry about others.

People like that lady is Asda are just looking for an excuse to be busybodies and have a go at people for not following 'The rules' as they see them.They would be the same ones peering out their curtains at the neighbours who might have gone out twice in a day, or had someone over visiting inside the house. But that's gone now and they've moved their attentions to masks now.

No, I don’t agree with it what so ever. The government have imposed wearing masks, not supermarket staff, so why should they have to potentially suffer abuse from people. I HATE wearing my mask but when I see others not wearing one it doesn’t bother me. I just think they must have a valid reason, that or they’re braver than me to just not wear one and good on them. I can’t be arsed with people having a pop at me but mostly because the way I feel at the moment I’d end up screaming at them and I don’t want that, so I wear my stupid mask.

@IWantT0BreakFree

Which evidence has told you that only a tiny number of people qualify for exemption from face coverings?

Which evidence has told you that mask wearing “contains the virus”?

The problem is that you clearly aren’t very scientifically literate and you seem to think that if everyone only wears a mask then the virus will be wiped out. As though mask wearing in itself is a cure for COVID. You also seem quite immature, hence the “anybody who disagrees with me is obviously a mask refuser”. No. Most people are complying with the law, but a lot of us do understand that face coverings are limited in their efficacy.

Are you also aware that incorrectly using a mask actually has the potential to increase transmission? And that the general public have been given no guidance on correctly using face masks?

Why is it always the least competent and informed people who shout the loudest? The ones who just don’t understand something are the ones who seem to have the strongest opinions on it. This OP is kind of a neat little example of the myriad ways our society is so fucked up.

Absolutely! The trouble is, stupid people do not understand the limits of their intelligence, whereas intelligent people do. That why you can't argue with stupid

@DanaScully53 he was probably lying but you never know. My nan has copd and still smokes, but would never wear a mask. It's not really up to us to decide whether they should wear one.

I'm surprised nobody deliberately coughed on that woman in Asda.

It's not part of some kind of government control conspiracy designed to take away your rights and freedoms. It won't last forever.
to both. This line gets trotted out again and again. Is our glorious leader going to reassure us of both of these "facts"? He's been very silent about it, perhaps he's been gagged by Dominic Cummings.

@Sennetti

i was assaulted when we first re-opened,pushed over because an entitled arse didn't care that store was at its safe capacity and he had to queue!!

nope. not happening op! speak to the non mask wearers yourself?

That's awful.

I'm sorry sorry someone actually had the audacity to think assaulting you acceptable.

My ds is excempt. He is autistic. He really did try at first but it gave him such sensory overload a number of times he bolted from shops in distress.
So now he wears his sunflower lanyard like a key chain on his shirts belt or on his backpack.

But the worse thing is watching him still get agitated because he feels people will be judging him for not wearing a mask (compliance round here does seem pretty high)

I'm not sure what the answer is tbh. I don't want supermarket staff assaulted and agree they shouldn't have to put themselves at risk.

I don't want disabled people to feel victimised or shamed.

I think the problem is at a societal level and it's not something we can change right now as this pandemic has magnified problems that have laid dormant but also meant it's hard to deal with those because tensions are too high on both sides to address it.

You only have to see those FB/Twitter groups describing face masks as face underwear and muzzles to know compliance in some people is too risky to challenge.

Sorry for going off on a tangent but I wanted to understand your logic on your very last point:m:

We all want to get back to normal. It’s imbeciles like this who are going to prolong it for the rest of us.

By wearing a face mask you certainly reduce the risk of either catching or spreading the virus but it doesn't make the virus goes away. The moment "things get back to normal" the virus cases will simply go up again.

The only way things can ever get back to normal (if that is ever possible) is either
A) Develop a reliable vaccine, produce it in sufficient quantities and inoculate at least 60 /70% of the country. This will take at least two years.
B) Remove all restrictions allow cases to really go up and herd resistance (no evidence yet for immunity) to develop. This will cause an increase in virus deaths.

Given that B is politically unacceptable we are left with A. So whilst wearing masks will undoubtedly save lives now, "getting back to normal " is quite some way off regardless of whether people wear masks or not.

I'm surprised nobody deliberately coughed on that woman in Asda.
What a nasty attitude. The people I know who are panicking about mask use are really vulnerable. They’re fearful because they know how serious COVID could be for them. I wouldn’t advise approaching others partly because of vile behaviour like that.

(Since posting I’ve realised you may not have been condoning such behaviour so sorry if I mis-interpreted your post @PiataMaiNei )

I wouldn't spit in busy body faces, aflaik you can get nicked for it!

And wow that officer that is bad. But I suppose some militant mask wearers would love to see more footage like that.

I'm expressing surprise, nothing more or less.

You obviously have a lower opinion of humanity than I do! I don’t think people would really be so nasty to cough in the face of someone anxious about getting sick, not unless they’ve got serious issues of their own.

Quite likely, since I wouldn't do as you've done and assumed the individual concerned was primarily motivated by anxiety about getting sick rather than one of the other less pleasant explanations.

@Bananarama101

People like that lady is Asda are just looking for an excuse to be busybodies and have a go at people for not following 'The rules' as they see them.They would be the same ones peering out their curtains at the neighbours who might have gone out twice in a day, or had someone over visiting inside the house. But that's gone now and they've moved their attentions to masks now.

They are the type I always thought who bitched people for not clapping the NHS but voted Tory and still believe Boris is doing the best he can

If I got a busybody moan at me, as I have a reason not to wear the blasted thing and it's been so hot I physically couldn't wear one, I would think a good round "fuck off you old crow" would do the job. Not shouted or in their face, just said very clearly.

I hope I don't run into someone like you when I go to the shops later without a mask, the mood I'm in with me and my baby having a crappy day thanks to the heat, you won't enjoy your response 😊

I have seen police refuse to allow people to board a tube without masks (no medical exemptions, just couldn’t be bothered) and that was satisfying

How do you know there was no medical exemption @VashtaNerada? I don't particularly fancy explaining my rape, and the details which related directly to wearing a mask, to every random police officer I come across. In fact even recounting it out loud sometimes can cause a panic attack so I don't talk about it outside of very controlled situations. Should I be stopped from getting on public transport if I need to get somewhere?

Some posters appear to think people who aren't masked and don't fall under any exemptions walk around with a special sign.

I’m a healthcare worker and won’t see anyone with a mask

*WITHOUT sorry