Making masks mandatory outdoors

[zen1]

I’ve seen this is happening in Italy and Germany. I’ve got an awful feeling this might be in the pipeline here (UK) in the not too distant future. What do other people think? I’m not convinced of the efficacy of masks actually doing much to stop the transmission (unless medical grade) and I can’t imagine having to do this.

I will refuse. I need fresh air and do my shopping as quickly as possible just so I can get out and take it off.

There isn't mild hypoxia to anyone - check out some facts.

I'd wear a mask anywhere - you know why? It really isn't a big deal.

20,000 plus new infections in a day is a big deal.

Try to stop being so selfish people. In certain Asian countries, particularly in cities, people have been wearing masks for quite a while because they do so out of respect for others.

I don't mind wearing one in a busy place but wearing one on a forest walk when you can easily keep 10m away from anyone else on the tiny number of occasions you come across anyone else is ridiculous.

It will also cause great distress to my autistic son who relies on our facial expressions to stay calm so on that ground I would be claiming exemption if such a ridiculous thing happened.

@echt

Well it isn't doing us any harm so unless there is evidence that it won't help I can't see the problem

This is absolutely wrong. There should be clear positive evidence that it works before it is made law. The government shouldn’t be imposing rules like that just because they think it’s a good idea

There isn't time to peer-review this in the middle of pandemic; the government is making reasonable rules. The good idea at first in Victoria was that any face covering was OK, which ensured higher levels of compliance, because it was more achievable. Now it's been revised to masks only: fair enough.

This is it. We need to assume the worst, as this virus, in general, has shown the worst is the most likely scenario. And err on the side of caution.

I'd say the opposite. Stop wearing masks when shown that they don't work AT ALL. Even a small benefit can help avoid new lockdowns.

For anyone worried about what cloths, then purchase good fabrics and filters.
There are plenty of resources about what makes a good mask.

PS - but you still don't need one far from people and nobody is saying that you do.

You have had to wear one outside in Spain for months and their cases are climbing. Very strictly enforced.

I'd hate this myself and I'm pro masks indoors and have been since March. I really hope they don't do this. . Wandering around town I tend not to wear one between shops but not a deal breaker but the country/ large park walks DH and I still do would be ruined for me with a mask

I won't be wearing a mask outdoors.

@gerispringer

You should see the crowds at bus stops , school pick ups- no sd , masks worn correctly would be a good thing in those situations imo. Let’s face it, there’s no enforcement of those illegal electric scooters or cyclists on pavements - no one is going to be policing mask wearing on country walks so don’t get irate about it .

If you can't stay two meters away from people outside your own house then you should wear a mask. Exceptions such as walking past someone, it's more prolonged close contact.

But you should be socially distancing anyway wherever possible.

Given that the WHO says that masks don’t work in the rain www.thetimes.co.uk/article/facemasks-dont-work-in-the-rain-public-health-england-and-the-world-health-organisation-warn-mfpc09dgd how does that even work for those of us that don’t drive but need to go out to shop most days? By the time I’ve walked to the local high street, a mask would have been rendered ineffective within a few seconds anyway.

This would be a dealbreaker for me. I simply will not do it.

I think there’s an argument for it in very limited places. A crowded shopping street maybe. I don’t know why people make such a fuss, unless they’re in an exempt category it’s just a mask and not much hassle. I actually forgot I’d kept mine on after nursery pick up and only noticed when I realised my face was nice and warm in the very windy playground. I have switched back to contact lenses from glasses though, I sympathise with glasses wearers not wanting to as it’s so hard not to get steamed up. I changed specifically to avoid that!

One point which I don't think has been mentioned is the actual cost of these masks. If you follow the rules, this means that you should use a new mask for each activity, e.g. on public transport, going to the coffee shop, going to the pub. So that's 3 per day minimum - and they are not cheap. Yesterday, in M&S they were selling 3 for £2.50, although I accept this is not the cheapest outlet!! Who is going to fund these damn things long-term??

Well, it's only on public transport - what's your problem ?

Well, it's only on public transport and in shops - what's your problem ?

Well, it's only on public transport, in shops, and all public indoor spaces - what's your problem ?

Well, it's only on public transport, in shops, and all public indoor spaces, and all outdoor public spaces - what's your problem ?

Well, it's only on public transport, in shops, all public indoor spaces, all outdoor public spaces, and when outside of your own home - what's your problem?

...

I think the ultimate goal is to get us wearing them 24/7 and we’ll have track and trace people face timing us to make sure we’re wearing a mask at home

If the rule come in, obey it.

No.

This government have lost the right to my automatic compliance. I will follow those rules that are sensible, and I also observe additional restrictions, more than the law requires, where I deem it appropriate. This is a superior approach to the one you advocate. There is a duty for all of us to assess whether a law is fair and legitimate or not before either following it or advocating that others do so. If you're going to abdicate yours, that's on you, but I won't be doing.

It's also very obvious that the people advocating a blanket outdoor masks rule everywhere haven't given any thought to the utter impossibility of policing it. It's not usually a great idea to have a visibly unenforceable law.

The litter will be worse, there are masks all over the place it's terrible. People could buy reusable ones but the paper medical style ones make it much easier to breathe and far more hygienic.

Try to stop being so selfish people.

Questioning 'rules' brought in by governments with zero supporting evidence isn't being 'selfish'. It's exercising critical thinking.

But carry on smugging.

Whilst Spain’s case rates are rising, their death rate is staying fairly low, it certainly isn’t following the rates from earlier in the year.

Currently this is pointing towards the effectiveness of masks in lowering the viral dose and decreasing the severity of the virus, which is positive.

In this country the sudden rise was totally expected as children returned to school and students went to university, so I’m not sure this is the gotcha against mask wearing that many are suggesting.

Suggesting masks outside when SD is impossible sounds sensible to me. Wearing them in open places with plenty of space doesn’t seem to be what’s being suggested.

Currently this is pointing towards the effectiveness of masks in lowering the viral dose and decreasing the severity of the virus, which is positive.

No it really isn't. Spain - like most countries - has adopted a number of restrictions. Wearing masks outdoors is just one of them, and there is no evidence it has any effect. Given that most experts agree that outdoor transmission is very low, it's hard to see how compulsory mask wearing outdoors could be a major factor in lowering viral load.

There are other sources that are pointing towards masks being helpful, as well as distancing.
It’s not just blind assumptions at this stage, but as research is still largely at an anecdotal stage, apart from the hamster research there aren’t many peer reviewed studies yet.

There are other sources that are pointing towards masks being helpful,

Outdoors? Do you have a link?

Suggesting masks outside when SD is impossible sounds sensible to me.

But you should be social distancing anyway.

@Sleepyblueocean

How is mask wearing on lonely country walks going to be enforced. People hiding behind trees and rocks trying to catch the maskless?

Round here there are some dickheads who would.

No, not outdoors, but as much of the research is emerging I’m happy to comply if it contributes to more info in order to see if it is effective or not.

@annabel85 have you walked through a busy town recently? The times I’ve had to go people are jostling along, no SD.

@annabel85 have you walked through a busy town recently? The times I’ve had to go people are jostling along, no SD

For that reason, no. i've kept away from crowds since March. Others might not be able to avoid it, in which case wear a mask or face covering if the recommended socially distancing can't be applied.

If you can't socially distance outdoors - wear a mask. If you can, then it's pretty pointless.

But isn’t that the point of this suggestion?

People aren’t sticking well to guidelines (possibly because they’re so muddied by the pointless arbitrary ones). The government may have more success sticking to rules that are actually helpful and clarifying them, maybe enforcing them if people still aren’t complying.
Instead what they seem to do is add more and more to be confused about.