Has anyone else noticed less people wearing masks?

[TheSilence]

I’ve noticed it more and more the last week or so, but today I went in 3 shops and in each one there were probably around half the people not wearing one, whereas before it was around 90%. Have I missed a rule change where they’re no longer compulsory? Or maybe there’s just more exempt people going out.

Still full compliance here where i live

@Tealightsandd

I'm also happier knowing I'm reducing the risks to people around me. I'd feel so terrible if I was asymptomatic and unwittingly infected someone - particularly if they ended up dead, in hospital, or unable to work for ages because of Long Covid. Popping a mask on whilst the majority are not vaccinated or only partially - it's the decent thing to do.

Also if this is the way you feel ... well you know what to do every flu season 😂🤡

Definitely noticed a difference around here. Whole families walking around as if the rules don’t apply to them. Not just the odd person who may be exempt.

Are you suggesting women wearing niqabs are clowns @UsedUpUsername

I have noticed a small drop in compliance in my local area. It coincided with the announcement that masks are no longer going to be encouraged to be worn in secondary schools from next week. That has given quite a few the message that they are not really important any longer.

It also seems to have meant the people are not distancing so much in shops. Several times recently people have tried to get up close to me at the checkouts (as in almost touching). I quite like personal space with or without Covid so sad that people haven't got used to having a bit more distance from strangers in this time.

No difference here at all

Still the same here

@Tealightsandd

Plenty still wearing here. I've seen some very stylish ones too.

I've found they can be liberating. Garlic lunch before going out? No problem.

I'm saving money on makeup (my preferred lipstick brand isn't the cheapest).

It's also quite fun feeling free to secretly mutter to myself when someone's annoying me.

I can't wear one after eating anything like garlic without having my nose out!

@XenoBitch

I haven't noticed, no. But I would hazard a guess and say that maybe people who have had the vaccine think they are safe so are not bothering to wear them anymore.

Mainly younger people/teenagers so that’s not the reason here. And often groups/families so unlikely to all be exempt.

Definitely far fewer wearing them, particularly on public transport which is a bit shitty as other people can’t keep away from them. Rates are still quite high here as well.

I've noticed it recently. A couple of times shop assistants have asked people to lift their masks from under their chin. The reply has been "I've had my vaccine".

Before anyone says anything about having your nose out, I typically just avoid eating when I am going to have to put on a mask. Not great for ED recovery but not much choice. I can tolerate coffee but not food smells in the mask. So coffee for lunch .

I work in a school and lots of staff forget momentarily to put them on/below the nose/standing much closer to you than one metre.

I'm fine with it though. It does seem to be a lot more relaxed now.

Not noticed a drop in compliance, but then there's a lot of people "Fuckin' excempt! Awright!" Around here so compliance has never been particularly high.
I wear one because I work in care and although I've been vaccinated and so have they it's probably best I don't expose the residents I'm paid to look after any more the necessary.

Yes, I realise that according to some of you that means I love masks and want them to stay forever and am just virtue signalling by even wearing one, I couldn't possibly hate the fucking things with a passion, but also don't want to be blamed when there's an outbreak. Nope, only doing it to piss off those who don't wear one obviously.

Isnt it just that people arent wearing them in outdoor places so much. People take them off as soon as they come out of the supermarket and walk across the Carpark without it on?

Thanks so much for all the replies, I’ve found it really interesting seeing what it’s like for others where they are.

@coffeefi

I CBA any more with virtual signalling

@coffeefi - Can you explain this in more detail as I don’t understand?

@UsedUpUsername

Finally people are showing some spine

🙄 I’ll never understand this thought process. All throughout this situation, to me showing spine has been taking COVID seriously as the threat that it is, and doing what we can to care about others. But I realise not everyone feels like this.

I agree, I think masks should be worn during flu season tbh, so you’re absolutely right! 👍

@kowari

Before anyone says anything about having your nose out, I typically just avoid eating when I am going to have to put on a mask. Not great for ED recovery but not much choice. I can tolerate coffee but not food smells in the mask. So coffee for lunch .

Oh so the reason some people have their nose out is that their breath smells? I have always wondered

@Marypoppinsisnosaint

I work in retail and I actually had this conversation with a colleague yesterday.

I've noticed in the last week an increase in people not wearing masks. As I work in a village store I know these people aren't exempt as as they've been wearing one previously. I completely understand wearing a mask isn't the best experience but for the amount of time customers are in my store its is only a small ask. My longest shift is 6hrs and I only remove during my break time. I feel grateful I'm not working 12hr plus in full ppe!

I can only assume its because of all the reasons pp have mentioned. Being vaccinated is a big one. Due to my age I'm still not eligible for my first vaccine yet. Which is fine I'm happy to wait however it is a slight kick in the teeth when during this year I've been shouted at, abused, swore at and spat at. I guess that's a whole other conversation and thread.

Oh wow that’s awful, why have you been spat at and abused? Is it mask related or just in general? You don’t deserve that and it just makes me realise even more that some people are total scumbags. Retail staff have been incredible throughout all of this 💕

@Oblomov21

Isnt it just that people arent wearing them in outdoor places so much. People take them off as soon as they come out of the supermarket and walk across the Carpark without it on?

No it’s definitely in shops, and thinking about it I don’t think it’s vaccine related at all, yesterday the shops I went in were full of whole big groups of teenagers and people in their early twenties, not a single one in the group with a mask on.

In Costa one group of people without masks were queuing behind me and kept pushing right up to me, they got closer and closer and in the end were a couple of inches away. They kept knocking into me too but oh well.

@Tealightsandd

Are you suggesting women wearing niqabs are clowns *@UsedUpUsername*

No, the 🤡 was solely directed at you

I’ll never understand this thought process. All throughout this situation, to me showing spine has been taking COVID seriously as the threat that it is, and doing what we can to care about others. But I realise not everyone feels like this

The science has never shown that they actually work. The best RCT study (Danish study) showed their uselessness. I used to live in Japan btw and mask wearing never, ever was shown to bring down rates of transmission.

Lots of people only wore them to make you feel comfortable. Well there’s a vaccine now, so they are no longer playing along.

Haven't noticed any change here. I will be fully vaccinated in a couple of weeks and will continue to wear a mask as per the guidelines.