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Original poster

Masks

28 replies

Fortyfiver · 10/01/2021 09:39

I always wear a mask if I go inside anywhere or have to get within 2m of someone to pay for something outside (eg market stall) but is the advice now to wear one all the time we are out of the house?

I am in London and live near a big park - I took my DC there yesterday and it was absolutely heaving with people. People in groups etc. I felt quite uncomfortable and we left pretty quickly.

I said to DH that I would wear a mask if we go again today. DH thinks that is ridiculous but is it? Should we be wearing masks when out in public?

OP posts:
HarveySchlumpfenburger · 10/01/2021 09:56

I would. Although to be honest I’d just leave if it was heaving with people.
Tbh I just find it simpler to put it on as I leave the house and take it off when I get back anyway.

avocadoopear · 10/01/2021 10:03

I would wear one at all times in London. Especially in central London. There's too many people about. I agree with PP though, if it was too busy I would leave.
Im in the midlands and I wouldn't wear a mask outside if I wasn't around too many people. I work in the NHS so wear one pretty much permanently anyway, it's nice to take it off when I get to my car after a shift!
They do have the added bonus of keeping your face warm in this weather though!

Hazelnutlatteplease · 10/01/2021 10:03

I would.

RaspberryCoulis · 10/01/2021 10:05

I always wear a mask if I go inside anywhere or have to get within 2m of someone to pay for something outside (eg market stall) but is the advice now to wear one all the time we are out of the house?

No it is not. The LAW requires to to wear a mask inside, unless you're exempt. If you WISH to wear a mask elsewhere then you're free to do so, but it's not been advised that you do so.

(Completely OTT if you ask me, just keep your distance. You are at zero risk from walking past someone in the street).

Calmandmeasured1 · 10/01/2021 10:06

I do, unless in the car.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 10/01/2021 15:29

@RaspberryCoulis

I always wear a mask if I go inside anywhere or have to get within 2m of someone to pay for something outside (eg market stall) but is the advice now to wear one all the time we are out of the house?

No it is not. The LAW requires to to wear a mask inside, unless you're exempt. If you WISH to wear a mask elsewhere then you're free to do so, but it's not been advised that you do so.

(Completely OTT if you ask me, just keep your distance. You are at zero risk from walking past someone in the street).

Depends on advised by who though doesn’t it? Is it advised by our government? No.

Do the people I know who work in infection control & epidemiology advise wearing a mask as much as possible? Yes. And they do it. So that’s what I tend to do rather than waiting for the government to get their act together.

NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace · 10/01/2021 15:40

I wear a mask when legally obliged to do so, otherwise no. There is no way I'm wearing a mask outside, be it in London, Luton or Leamington Bloody Spa.

StatisticalSense · 10/01/2021 15:43

No. If you feel there are too many people in an outdoors area you should avoid that area. Using a mask as an excuse to do something irresponsible needs to stop.

misscockerspaniel · 10/01/2021 15:48

At the start of the pandemic, we were warned not to touch our faces so I leave my face mask on when out and about, to avoid doing so. And, as PP have said, I would avoid crowds.

Nonamealoud · 10/01/2021 15:50

You do know fresh air is good for you?

DirtyDancing · 10/01/2021 15:57

No, it is not ridiculous. Firstly, why wouldn’t you wear a mask? Why risk yourselves and other people. Secondly, I know someone who caught it in a packed park in South London. It’s getting close to 1 in 15-20 people who have it in London, so look around that park and count how many people are carrying the virus and it’s shocking. I know a Dad who went to the shop yesterday and then the park.. he’s got a positive test today.

So pop a mask on, save us all the trouble of passing it around any more than it already is

2020BogOff · 10/01/2021 16:00

If wearing a mask outside makes you feel better then why don't you do so.

But no I won't wear one unless I am legally required to do so and I have been actively avoiding places that require that because I prefer not to cover my face.

Unsure33 · 10/01/2021 16:14

@RaspberryCoulis

I don’t think there is zero risk . Low but not zero .

If they coughed or sneezed near you there is definitely a risk .

Unsure33 · 10/01/2021 16:16

See chart

Masks
lljkk · 10/01/2021 16:17

"Should we be wearing masks when out in public?"

If "we" is supposed to include all age 11+ human beings in Britain -- then no. Mask wearing in all outdoor spaces should not be required. There is no evidence this would stop enough covid. I don't care what you choose to do, OP.

MerciSeat · 10/01/2021 16:36

@StatisticalSense

No. If you feel there are too many people in an outdoors area you should avoid that area. Using a mask as an excuse to do something irresponsible needs to stop.
This.

A mask isn't a magic force field.

furonthecoat · 10/01/2021 16:42

@DirtyDancing

No, it is not ridiculous. Firstly, why wouldn’t you wear a mask? Why risk yourselves and other people. Secondly, I know someone who caught it in a packed park in South London. It’s getting close to 1 in 15-20 people who have it in London, so look around that park and count how many people are carrying the virus and it’s shocking. I know a Dad who went to the shop yesterday and then the park.. he’s got a positive test today.

So pop a mask on, save us all the trouble of passing it around any more than it already is

Bloody hell. There's absolutely no way of knowing if that person caught it in a 'packed park' or anywhere else Hmm

As for the dad who went shopping and to the park yesterday and then got a positive test today. Well covid has an incubation period, you wouldn't get a positive the day after catching it, it takes a while to show up in your system. So kindly take you fearmongering anedata elsewhere.

ilkleymoorbartat · 10/01/2021 16:54

@DirtyDancing I doubt they'd have caught it yesterday if they got a positive test today?

SquirmOfEels · 10/01/2021 16:56

Loads of people in London parks are wearing masks

You're DH is being a bit of a dick - he must have seen how many people wear them

It's actually quite nice to keep your face warm in a freezing day!

LucilleTheVampireBat · 10/01/2021 16:56

I won't be "popping" a mask on outside, no ta.

Funkypolar · 10/01/2021 16:58

No mask outside for me either.

Original poster
Fortyfiver · 10/01/2021 18:36

I think the issue for me is, the rates are so high in London but the will for people just to stay home/ away from other people has just gone - the last lockdown was never this bad for crowds and the weather was much nicer back then.

I don't understand why people are still meeting up?

So, yes, I did wear a mask (and it did help keep me warm) and we went earlier than yesterday so it was quieter. I need to wear my DC out so they sleep!

OP posts:
ilkleymoorbartat · 10/01/2021 19:38

I think this is it. If you have kids you need to get out of the house, unless they propose a China style lockdown. However, every one else is in the same boat. If you're in London it's impossible to find anywhere quiet to walk at the moment. I live near woods and they're packed.

WalkingOnStarshine · 10/01/2021 19:50

I live rurally so never see anyone wearing a mask unless they're in a shop. I'd find it bizarre to wear a mask at any other time. Walking down a busy London street I guess is very different and I'm amazed that people are saying it's so busy at the moment. Surely if you go to a busy park everyone is social distancing anyway?

Reallybadidea · 10/01/2021 19:52

I'm quite liking wearing a mask outside at the moment, it keeps my face warm Grin