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.

Same here. I have to wear it at work all day and when out in shops and indoor places. I am not wearing it in any more situations. I refuse.

We like to walk on hills and fells where you can walk 5/6/7 miles and not see another person all day or just the odd person now and again. It would be ridiculous if made to wear one in those situations.

Totally pointless.

@Lweji

Workers in dusty environments?

This is obviously a totally different scenario. That’s an example of someone protecting themselves from direct exposure to a concentrated pollutant - but just walking around outside? The main argument so far is that you are protecting others by wearing a mask, so I think it makes total sense to question a blanket rule saying we have to wear masks outside at all times.

Where is the science to support this?
Would it be limited to certain scenarios/areas or just in general?
Total nonsense

No fucking way am I wearing a mask outside. I have to wear one in the playground to do school pick up/ drop off and I am ripping the fucking thing off as soon as I hit the public pavement.

I think masks do more harm than good because they give a false sense of security. People start thinking they can move closer to another person if they are all wearing masks.

It is better to stay a few feet away from other people outdoors rather than put on a mask and get closer.

Already ordered my excemption card no way wearing outside

If this was brought in and taken to its logical extreme... I live somewhere where my back garden is separate from my house - I have to cross a lane to get there. Would I have to wear a mask to go from my back door into my back garden??

I’d have no issue with it.

Like I said, not sure I’d want to go on a long yomp with one, but in the winter it is actually not a bad idea to cover the face. It was recommended to me when exercising to stop inhaling cold air.

Madness

I'm in Italy now and it's compulsory with heavy fines if you break the law. There's a high level of compliance. And their infection rates are much much lower than the UK!

It's only wearing them outside if you are likely to come closer than 2m to someone eg on a pavement/street.
Seems very sensible to me.
There is such a wealth of evidence that masks reduce transmission and this virus is killing thousands upon thousands and will overwhelm our NHS if we don't do something extra to what we are currently.
We need to think of the older population, vulnerable or at risk BAME not just ourselves if we have low risk families.
It's just wearing a mask not donating a kidney.
Think of others before yourself, as I was always taught in Brownies.

@chocolatesaltyballs22

I'm in Italy now and it's compulsory with heavy fines if you break the law. There's a high level of compliance. And their infection rates are much much lower than the UK!

That may be true, but it is extremely unlikely to have much if anything to do with masks being compulsory outdoors. Rates of transmission outdoors are extremely low.

Madness

No - sensible, considerate,scientific.

Printed off an exemption card as I have legitimate health issues. Not wearing a mask outside.

So I think the thinking is that it gets people more used to wearing them if they have to do it everywhere. Not saying I agree, and I have to admit that when I've been walking down deserted lanes with no one around I have taken mine off.

@VillageGreenTree

It's only wearing them outside if you are likely to come closer than 2m to someone eg on a pavement/street. Seems very sensible to me. There is such a wealth of evidence that masks reduce transmission and this virus is killing thousands upon thousands and will overwhelm our NHS if we don't do something extra to what we are currently. We need to think of the older population, vulnerable or at risk BAME not just ourselves if we have low risk families. It's just wearing a mask not donating a kidney. Think of others before yourself, as I was always taught in Brownies.

How does that work though? You make constant calculations about whether the person walking past you for a few seconds is less than 2 metres away, pulling you maks up and down accordingly? That's likely to do more harm than good.

And it's not about twee Brownies wisdom. It's about evidence of what is and is not effective in controlling the virus. Since most scientists agree that there is very litle transmission of the virus outdoors, it's hard to see what effect wearing masks ouside would have, other than making people and governments feel that they are 'doing something'.

Not sure what I think about this. I happily wear a mask in the shops, it's to protect others.
But I go for my exercise down empty country lanes, I go for the fresh air not for "mask air". And at work (I'm in a school although not teaching) we don't wear masks at the moment....I'm more likely to catch/spread the virus in that environment than outside on a walk. So it does seem bonkers to me.

No, I would not be doing this.

@VillageGreenTree

Madness

No - sensible, considerate,scientific.

It is none of those things.

It’s pure and simple mission creep.

Has anyone seen the people who lose their ability to cross roads safely, walking straight out whilst wearing a mask to keep them safe?! It's as though all sense leaves some people because they are either feeling extremely safe in a mask or extremely distracted.

I don't go to shops now other than nipping in the local corner shop. I put my mask on outside the door and take off off as soon as I come out. I won't be going anywhere if I have to wear a mask outside!

How far is it going to go? Do we need to put a mask on to put the bins out for example? Our garage isn't attached to the house, do we need a mask to cross the service road to get to it? I wouldn't put anything past bloody Hancock.

Didn't Slovakia & Czech both have the mandatory-outdoors mask wearing rule? Doesn't seem to have helped them now, and I don't think the rule has been reinstated either (almost like they don't think it matters outdoors).

And here we have it! Unless there is a medical reason for not wearing a mask, why would you not? Are you so precious that you believe rules don’t apply to you? If the rule come in, obey it.

I bet most of the people saying they would refuse because of X,Y or Z are the first to complain when they can’t see a doctor when they’re ill. I bet they also complain about pretty much everything. The reason that rules have to come in saying all outside circumstances is because selfish, entitled idiots will twist any loopholes, then complain that “they” aren’t bringing the virus down.