Which would you prefer re masks?

[PuzzledObserver]

The BBC live news page just now was saying there are “hints” that masks and SD may be dropped over the summer.... but there is a risk they will be reintroduced over the winter.

What would you prefer? I mean, presumably ditch them immediately and for ever, but if that’s not possible, would you rather:

a) have a break over the summer in the knowledge they’ll be back towards the end of the year;

b) keep them until we’re certain they will never be back.

I would choose a, by the way.

I’d find it hard to have to go back to them

Once gone I’d like to forget about that period

So C

Scrap masks full stop as they do F all anyway.

I really hope they get rid of them soon. I'm another who doesn't think they have much impact, and the most pointless thing for me is wearing them in the open air, walking round in one direction on the school run. I hate, hate, hate them.

@PattyPan

To be honest I think I might always wear a mask on public transport in the future. I think ditching them and then bringing them back is a bad idea because compliance will be low when they’re brought back.

I think I'm broadly in agreement with this. I'd certainly be quite happy to see them worn on public transport in winter.

With regard to the original question I don't much care. I've got used to wearing them when I have to. I had a hysteroscopy wearing one last week.

I am indifferent re A & B

D
I agree with @DottyWott

"D - I’ll choose to continue wearing masks in crowded public places for the foreseeable future - regardless of local regulations because there is excellent evidence for their effectiveness, I have loved not having repeated colds and viruses last 12 months, and even as a glasses wearer who has to wear one for 12 hour shifts they don’t especially bother me."

C never mandate the bastard things again.
I gave up trying in January when sensory overwhelm tripped me into scratching my face to bleeding point. I still have marks on my face. That was from a visor.
I can't remember how many panic attacks/ hyperventilating incidents I've had. My pb is 45 seconds.

I loathe being in places where other people wear them. I can't recognise people easily. Their speech is distorted and muffled and you can't lip read.
They are utterly anti-social, isolating and destructive to the environment.
All for a barely measurable impact from the average unregulated covering, shoved in a coat pocket and used umpteen times.

It makes me so angry that they are still having to be used on the school run, outside, in an area with no cases for weeks.
That's like wearing a condom on my thumb and declaring that it's protecting me from STDs.

I trust the vaccine and its impact.
I don't trust the average elasticated handkerchief being worn in comparison.
(Weren't reusable hankies considered to br unhygienic?)

The sooner they're gone, the sooner I can have my smear test, get my eyes tested, and spend my money doing fun things.

They're utterly pointless, and serve only as a comfort blanket to the type of lunatic upthread who'd frankly only would be happy if we all wore hazmat suits, triple masks & goggles, 24/7, for ever and ever and ever.

Ditch the damm things totally if anyone feels the need to wear one then that's up to them

Option C, never wear one again.

@BlankTimes

D I agree with *@DottyWott*

"D - I’ll choose to continue wearing masks in crowded public places for the foreseeable future - regardless of local regulations because there is excellent evidence for their effectiveness, I have loved not having repeated colds and viruses last 12 months, and even as a glasses wearer who has to wear one for 12 hour shifts they don’t especially bother me."

E Anyone caught simply dropping their unwanted disposable mask on the ground when they're finished with it will be shot.

(Wasn't implying you personally do that btw!)

Can we add people not picking up their dog's poo into the shooting list please?

I'd like to wait for vaccination to go over 70% population where transmission is negligible (just first dose for 70% should get us there), then ditch them outright. Except that I would also like people to forever wear a mask or stay home if they're snotty or have flu symptoms.

@confuseddotcom090

They're utterly pointless, and serve only as a comfort blanket to the type of lunatic upthread who'd frankly only would be happy if we all wore hazmat suits, triple masks & goggles, 24/7, for ever and ever and ever.

No one has said or implied that. Utter hyperbole.

I'd like to wait for vaccination to go over 70% population where transmission is negligible (just first dose for 70% should get us there), then ditch them outright. Except that I would also like people to forever wear a mask or stay home if they're snotty or have flu symptoms

Would happily stay at home if I was snotty if I got paid for it. I can’t afford to stay at home for a cold.

A
Cant wait to ditch them all together, although i have now got used to them and they have their advantages when I look a in bit of a state or trying to avoid someone 🤣

Never really had an issue with wearing them until I got pregnant. Started suffering with bad hyperemesis and end up in a n e where they continually tried to push a mask in my face while I heaved. Eventually was forced to wear a shield which according to the nurse was for my protection. I will be 100% refusing to labour in one or a shield and I dont give a hoot what they have to say about it. Amount of nurses and doctors I seen in the hospital with their mask under their chin or with their nose hanging out was just shocking. Complete waste of time when they arent being worn properly.

Currently on the tube on my way home and at least 50% not bothering at all or with masks on chins. I think we should ditch them now. If necessary bring them back in certain settings for the winter but really, it's just theatre and hopefully most people will be over it by then.

B otherwise it will be like the bloody hokey cokey for god god knows how long. A pandemic lasts approx 2 years until it runs its natural course. We are more than half way through now if that pattern follows. As much as I hate wearing a mask I don't mind enduring them for a few more months (along with other measures) so that we can see the back of this situation.

Can we add people not picking up their dog's poo into the shooting list please?

They're already on there. Currently more people on the list than off it, tbh.

B, keep the distancing and masks until it’s under control everywhere or we stop travel/really enforce quarantine with no exceptions.

I'd prefer if masks fucked off altogether, never to be seen again.

I'm happy to keep them. But that's probably only because I have a lovely collection of various fabric washable ones now in all sorts of colours and designs! I'm now perfectly accustomed to the idea of putting one on the moment I enter any building that isn't my own home.

I bloody love masks, I'm going to be really sad when they go. I'll keep on wearing as long as possible.