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.

@UsedUpUsername

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.

Didn’t that study only show their effectiveness towards the wearer, not to others around them? Please link me the information showing I’m wrong if possible as I’m not 100% sure!

And the ones not ‘playing along’ yesterday included whole groups of teenagers and very young adults, not ones likely to have had the vaccine. The amount of people who are anti mask online since all this started means there’s likely to be a hell of a lot in shops who simply don’t believe they help and don’t give a shit about following the rules.

I didn’t know that about Japan, so wearing them makes zero difference to any infection rates? Do you mean covid or before that? How do you know, do you have any studies about this?

@TheSilence

The abuse was mainly during the panic buying when we had restrictions on certain items. I was called everything you can imagine and I'm not ashamed to say I cried a few times once my shift had finished.

I was spat at when social distance kicked in and we restricted customers coming into the store. I was door marshel and asked a customer to wait as we had too many in store. He wasn't impressed, swore and spat at me and stormed off. We had security not long after.

Things have improved over recent months thankfully and we are aways told never to challenge non mask wearers.

I think people don't actually realise that pre covid retail workers are regularly subject to abuse etc too.

After saying all that I do feel I've had it easier compared to others that have been fully on the front line and have had to deal with worst situations than mine.

Thank you for the reply @Marypoppinsisnosaint

I’m disgusted that you had to experience that, although with how nasty and selfish some humans are in this world, I’m not that shocked. I just can’t understand someone spitting at another person, it’s inexcusable.

And yes I’ve worked in retail on and off since I was 16, I know exactly what people can be like even before COVID, so you’re totally right! Some people don’t see retail staff as human, I’m sure of it.

I think you’re just as amazing as others working in any front line role honestly.

The difficulty with studies is that they tend to involve controlled environments, and proper PPE meeting minimum standards, not a random Amazon cheapie knocked up in sweat shops, or a nice chintzy bit of cloth from Etsy, and not the typical here's-one-I-wore-earlier pulled out of a pocket.
Most people would find a cloth handkerchief a bit gross these days unless handled particularly concientiously, but that is in effect what most masks being worn in public places are.
There's not much real-world data because it's very messy to unpick.

People are tired now. Very, very tired and starved of normal interactions.
The majority of adults particularly vulnerable demographics have been vaccinated (which substantially, but not entirely reduces transmission) and increasingly double vaccinated.
It's getting warmer and more uncomfortable to the point of intolerable. Some people will have coped over the winter, but warmer conditions are a trigger into exempt territory.
Community cases are very low across the majority of the country. The chances of being exposed to the virus for a mask to be of benefit is getting pretty minimal.
6m people in the country have hearing impairment. Add on other communication and processing difficulties such as autism and it's a significant chunk of the population whose interactions are significantly impaired by either them wearing masks or people around them wearing them.

I stopped wearing a visor in January after going a sensory overwhelm/ panic attack too far. My face is still scarred. Until now there have been few places to go. It's largely just been the supermarket and I go late when it's quiet to avoid issues with distancing. I've only been to one other shop in the past month. I've made no secret of hating the things because of the combination of sensory overwhelm and amplifying auditory difficulties when communicating. I never was going to be enthused with that combination of difficulties!
I tried. I tried far more than enough and have the scars to prove it. Literally.

@BogRollBOGOF I get what you’re saying honestly, I’m not talking about people who are exempt, I’ve never ever thought anything bad about anyone who can’t wear a mask/visor. Anyone who judges people who are genuinely exempt is a horrible person.

I think it’s mostly what you said in the first part of your post, that people are utterly sick of them, which I understand as well. But I don’t think that’s a reason not to wear them. I absolutely HATE them but will still wear one of it helps even a bit.

No, pretty much everyone seems to still be wearing them here. I saw one guy in the supermarket last night without one on and was genuinely quite shocked at seeing his entire face!

I work in retail and we have a lot more non mask wearing and also a lot of abuse for reming people had a group of 5 in last week not wearing masks I reminded them politely that they need to wear masks inside “we don’t believe in masks” I then asked politely if they would mind if one of them came into order while the others waited outside as it’s a very small space and we want to keep our staff safe. They then huffed off. Had many not wear masks properly last year one continued to take of her mask when we weren’t looking and decided to shout at me for ruining her day

Yes, but after vaccination you are still meant to wear one indoors. Especially to protect those that cannot have the vaccine for medical reasons, also people who have not been vaccinated yet. Our shops have been crazy busy and I have noticed less people wearing them, it's up to them. You can still get Covid or pass it on after vaccination.

@traumatisednoodle

Yes, particularly in less well heeled areas and more "affordable" shops

This has been my experience.

And mine.

Yes. I've started travelling to work on the tube again, and the level of compliance is much lower than it was before Christmas which is the last time I was regularly commuting. People are ignoring social distancing too, not leaving spare seats etc. Most of the people not wearing masks were young, and the great majority were male. Personally I don't get too upset if people aren't wearing masks in shops as I just avoid them, but sitting next to someone for a 30 minute tube journey makes me a bit uncomfortable. Now that I've had my first vaccine dose I feel a little better.

I went to an indoor shopping centre earlier this week & noticed fewer people wearing them. I also took mine off as I was walking around, then put it back on whenever I went into a shop. I bloody hate the virtue signalling of wearing one when there’s no-one around, & the ceilings are as high as Everest & the chances of me getting anywhere near anyone else as I’m walking about are virtually zero. So I took it off.

Those of you who say you’re wearing them still because some people still aren’t/can’t be vaccinated, when will you stop wearing them?! This will always be the case - that some people won’t be vaccinated for whatever reason. Are you willing to wear a mask forever for them?

Numerous studies have proven that masks make a difference - not necessarily a huge one, but even a 5% reduction in risk of transmission saves lives.

Those who choose to flout the rules simply couldn't give a crap about anyone but themselves.

Didn’t that study only show their effectiveness towards the wearer, not to others around them? Please link me the information showing I’m wrong if possible as I’m not 100% sure!

The Danish study was the largest scale study that showed that masks don’t work for the wearer, the small effect was not statistically significant. It was not designed to show whether or not a COVID+ mask wearer transmits to others (ethically not ok either). So after that study, guidance started to change to reflect the small possibility it could work as source control, which I accepted as a possibility as you might cough or sneeze in a mask and prevent droplet transmission.

However, recently lots of articles about COVID now being transmitted via aerosols, so I don’t even think they are effective as source controls either (and are COVID+ people really going out and about with masks if they are sick enough to be coughing and sneezing everywhere?)

If it really is transmitted via aerosols, the loosely fitted surgical masks almost everyone wears are just useless. Maybe a tightly fitting N95 would be the only way to source control, which would be intolerable to wear all day for most people.

And the ones not ‘playing along’ yesterday included whole groups of teenagers and very young adults, not ones likely to have had the vaccine

It’s true, but they might never get the vaccine. If mask wearing is all about source control, then does it really matter if they are wearing a mask or not as long as they don’t cough or sneeze around you? (The aerosol is a little more worrisome, but then, masks wouldn’t work at all in that scenario)

I didn’t know that about Japan, so wearing them makes zero difference to any infection rates? Do you mean covid or before that? How do you know, do you have any studies about this?

I mean for the flu virus. They get slammed by seasonal flu like everyone else despite mask wearing. It is a cultural thing although a big caveat is that taking sick leave really isn’t done in Japan because of the culture of ‘gaman’ ( toughing things out) basically.

I've noticed that it's always elderly people who just cover their mouths and leave their noses sticking out. Why don't they just not bother wearing the things.

@Cripesitsthegasman19

I've noticed that it's always elderly people who just cover their mouths and leave their noses sticking out. Why don't they just not bother wearing the things.

Surely it’s better than nothing?

I’ve seen plenty of younger people wearing masks incorrectly.

@Cripesitsthegasman19

I've noticed that it's always elderly people who just cover their mouths and leave their noses sticking out. Why don't they just not bother wearing the things.

Must be where you live. It's mixed age groups doing that where I am - but definitely more young than old.

No difference here, still high compliance

A new wave is just taking off and people are now not wearing masks.

You couldn’t make it up

@MapleBee

It's all the vaccinated people not giving a damn about those of us still waiting.

Not all of them. Despite being what can best be described as a mask cynic and fully vaccinated with 2 doses of AZ I still wear mine properly as and when required

I'm not vaccinated and I took mine off in a shop today. I was very very hot, and in a perspex cubicle using the self checkout. Maybe a bit of loosely fitting fabric does have a small effect on reducing transmission but most vulnerable people ARE vaccinated now.
We have to ditch them sometime ( please God by August!)

@UsedUpUsername

Didn’t that study only show their effectiveness towards the wearer, not to others around them? Please link me the information showing I’m wrong if possible as I’m not 100% sure!

The Danish study was the largest scale study that showed that masks don’t work for the wearer, the small effect was not statistically significant. It was not designed to show whether or not a COVID+ mask wearer transmits to others (ethically not ok either). So after that study, guidance started to change to reflect the small possibility it could work as source control, which I accepted as a possibility as you might cough or sneeze in a mask and prevent droplet transmission.

However, recently lots of articles about COVID now being transmitted via aerosols, so I don’t even think they are effective as source controls either (and are COVID+ people really going out and about with masks if they are sick enough to be coughing and sneezing everywhere?)

If it really is transmitted via aerosols, the loosely fitted surgical masks almost everyone wears are just useless. Maybe a tightly fitting N95 would be the only way to source control, which would be intolerable to wear all day for most people.

And the ones not ‘playing along’ yesterday included whole groups of teenagers and very young adults, not ones likely to have had the vaccine

It’s true, but they might never get the vaccine. If mask wearing is all about source control, then does it really matter if they are wearing a mask or not as long as they don’t cough or sneeze around you? (The aerosol is a little more worrisome, but then, masks wouldn’t work at all in that scenario)

I didn’t know that about Japan, so wearing them makes zero difference to any infection rates? Do you mean covid or before that? How do you know, do you have any studies about this?

I mean for the flu virus. They get slammed by seasonal flu like everyone else despite mask wearing. It is a cultural thing although a big caveat is that taking sick leave really isn’t done in Japan because of the culture of ‘gaman’ ( toughing things out) basically.

So as you say, the Danish study only looked at masks working on an ‘inward’ basis. I don’t know the proper term.

Even if aerosols spread it which as you say is looking likely, masks will still help to contain SOME droplets, there doesn’t even need to be any research on this tbh it’s just common sense. Something over someone’s mouth and nose is going to catch some droplets. And on a whole population level, even a tiny amount can make a difference with infection control. I’ve never understood the angst about wearing a mask in a shop or on a bus, for those who are able to.

So you say Japan still get slammed by flu, well how does that prove anything? Masks aren’t meant to eradicate a virus I thought, just help to control the numbers a tiny bit and help reduce viral load. So you could argue Japan’s flu numbers would be even higher without them. But there’s no way of knowing is there, again it’s just a common sense thing to do.

How nice that you lived in Japan, it’s like a different world isn’t it compared to here? There COVID handling has been pretty good too from what I’ve read, they don’t have the appalling death toll we have for a start.

Their*

@Cripesitsthegasman19

I've noticed that it's always elderly people who just cover their mouths and leave their noses sticking out. Why don't they just not bother wearing the things.

Honestly I’ve seen people of all ages doing this, I don’t judge personally because they may struggle to wear one and be trying to as best they can.

@UsedUpUsername Oh you also asked about whether people with covid etc are really going to be out and about whilst ill, sneezing and coughing over people - well my answer is YES! I know people who will go out if ill and people who I’ve met for a walk who’ve then told me they’re waiting for a COVID test result as they’re ill. Also wasn’t there a survey done which revealed a huge percentage of the UK population wouldn’t self isolate if they tested positive? I’ll try to find it.

Plus here’s the thing about covid, it doesn’t always have the stereotypical sneezing and coughing symptoms. Lots of people get gastrointestinal issues, aches, headaches etc which could be put down to other things or just feeling under the weather. Therefore they’re still ‘symptomatic’ but might assume it’s not COVID and can spread it.

Just out of interest, how would you have handled this whole situation when COVID began looking like a problem?

I live in a country where they are still mandatory any time you are outside of the home, apart from in your private vehicle with members of the same household, exercising or receiving medical treatment on your face.

They are also mandatory for children over a young age (I think 6? I’m not sure, mine are younger)

Since it became law over a year ago, I have only ever seen one adult not wearing a mask and they were getting a lot of looks, comments etc.

I hate them - it’s 40 degrees here at the moment and only getting hotter, I’m 7 months pregnant and have a DC with sensory issues who really suffers from not being able to see my mouth when I speak. BUT for us it’s the law, and rightly or wrongly, I do feel a lot safer when everyone around me is wearing one.