No masks after 19th July - Hoo-blardy-Ray!!!!!

[TeddingtonTrashbag]

As reported in the DM.
So happy if it’s true.

And then only the most irritatingly hyper anxious, "I've followed all the rules, I just despair when I see what other people are doing" types will be wearing them and I shall know who to avoid!

Spare a thought for those who are unvaccinated for whatever reason, those who haven't developed antibodies despite being vaccinated and those who haven't been ill since last March and put that down to wearing masks. It's not just the hyper anxious who will carry on

@ThyNameIsDave,where is the evidence that mask wearing makes a difference now please? Or ever,come to that.
It is indeed performance art and a distraction and something to argue about.

For the record,I have adhered to every single one of the rules.

@ThyNameIsDave

I'm provided with testing kits by work. Lots of people are.

@sadperson16

I think if there had been a hald decent government in place with one or two really good communicators at the forefront , things could have been different.

What is the Science behind masks? Where are the studies, the statistics that show it is worth doing? When will we get the OK to stop wearing them?

Just because a person has doubts does not make them a murderer, thats just ridiculous.

Precisely. The obsession with masks is ridiculous. Some people just like to feel virtuous.

• Cloth face coverings are effective in reducing source virus transmission, i.e., outward protection of others, when they are of optimal material and construction (high grade cotton, hybrid and multilayer) and fitted correctly and for source protection of the wearer.
• Socio-behavioural factors are vital to understanding public adherence to wearing face masks and coverings, including public understanding of virus transmission, risk perception, trust, altruism, individual traits, perceived barriers.
• Face masks and coverings cannot be seen in isolation but are part of ‘policy packages’ and it is imperative to review interrelated non-pharmaceutical interventions in tandem including hand hygiene, sanitizers and social distancing when maintaining the 2 metre or 1 metre+ distancing rule is not possible.
• Consistent and effective public messaging is vital to public adherence of wearing face masks and coverings. Conflicting policy advice generates confusion and lack of compliance. Populations without a previous history of mask wearing have rapidly adopted face coverings during the COVID-19 period.

The best scientific advice is that they do work. The issue in the UK was that we were not used to wearing masks, and our psychological reactance towards an imposed measure.

Most have behaved altruistically.

@apocalypsehow. It’s not ‘virtuous’ behaviour - it’s just that most have made the decision to behave altruistically to help protect others,

[quote Hornbill123456789]@apocalypsehow. It’s not ‘virtuous’ behaviour - it’s just that most have made the decision to behave altruistically to help protect others,[/quote]

It becomes a display of how-virtuous-am-I behaviour when people obsess over whether other people pop a mask on now and again or not. As a PP pointed out it's completely illogical when hoards of football fans gather without masks.

I can see why it's comforting to point the finger at individuals. There was a teacher posting recently that wanted parents charged for not having their asymptomatic children tested. She was lambasted.

There's a blind spot when it comes to masks. A lot of people like the sight of them. It makes them feel better.

@sadperson16 - I don’t need to provide you with evidence. There’s copious amounts of evidence about mask wearing helping container the spread of the virus. We are still in a pandemic so therefore it must still help. However as vaccinations are up and the spread is slowing then it will hopefully no longer be necessary. I feel like I’m explaining 1 + 1 = 2 here. It’s just common sense.

Scientific advice? How does that work then? Here is some unscientific advice,use common sense.

I would like some evidence,its not an unreasonable request.
There doesn't seem to be any?
Anywhere

As I've just said on yet another mask thread - isn't it strange that those who wish to continue to wear masks are now the ones getting upset because of negative comments? I wonder how many of them have spent the past year berating and vilifying those who are mask exmpt? I certainly recognise a few names on both threads.

Incidentally wear a mask/don't wear a mask past 19 July, no odds to me.

I’m double-jabbed, so I won’t be wearing masks from the 19th. If I hadn’t had my second jab, however, I would continue wearing masks to protect myself and others.

@frumpety

Just out of interest will people who have been wearing masks but are looking forward to no longer having to wear them, wear them in certain specific circumstances , like visiting the Doctor or hospital if requested to do so ?

I would wear a mask in those situations, yes.

Though probably not for the 30 seconds to walk from my table to the loo in a bar

I think its polite and respectful to continue to carry a mask in my bag and use it if the situation requires it.

One thing I won't do and never have is wear one outside

Just seen this headline - 'Covid UK news - live: Winter plan for ‘masks and social distancing for 5 years’, as medics fear 19 July spike'
That will make a lot of people here happy. My heart flipped when I read it and I really don't know if I can go on much more with this. What was the bloody point of the vaccine. Someone wants to tell the people 'at the top' what the definition of 'freedom' is.

@apocalypsehow I think the majority don’t want to wear a mask, but have complied as they can see it benefits the rest of society - even if they presume their personal risk is low.
Therefore, when people are shopping etc it can be very frustrating to see those who don’t comply. Of course people with medical exemptions should be excluded, but there are a significant number who don’t comply for individualistic reasons or because of psychological reactance.

This pandemic has been very much about working together for the good of the whole - and - despite us being a highly individualistic society, we - on the whole - have seen the need and harnessed our collective altruism.

I think while the restriction is in place, the best thing we can do is comply - even when we can see unfair behaviour demonstrated by others and inconsistencies in government policy.
I’ve always seen the need to follow the science, despite any frustrations I have with the government.

I agree @Hornbill123456789 and also want to do what I think benefits society as a whole. And I do that. I do not think masks benefit society as a whole.

That's the simple distinction.

Always nice to respond to someone who is engaging reasonably

@Ginandfantalemon

Just seen this headline - 'Covid UK news - live: Winter plan for ‘masks and social distancing for 5 years’, as medics fear 19 July spike' That will make a lot of people here happy. My heart flipped when I read it and I really don't know if I can go on much more with this. What was the bloody point of the vaccine. Someone wants to tell the people 'at the top' what the definition of 'freedom' is.

Social distancing means that many businesses can't operate and make a profit. Bang goes thousands of livelihoods - particularly as many rely on Christmas revenue to stay afloat.

Not that we'll be able to spend Christmas with loved ones if SD is a thing for five years.

Just to add @Hornbill123456789

This is not about "not wanting to wear masks". The masks themselves are essentially irrelevant. As with anything in life, I don't participate in performative gestures and I believe masks to be performative, not beneficial.

And I don't know why they keep saying 'we will just have to live with it like we do the flu', because we dont wear masks and social distance for the flu. What they should say is 'we will just have to live with it like they did with ebola/bubonic plague/smallpox/TB.

What they should say is 'we will just have to live with it like they did with ebola/bubonic plague/smallpox/TB

None of which involved masks! On my trip to Aldi yesterday I noticed that a lot of people appear to have ditched masks already. Lots of shoppers in pairs too. Based on that, I don’t think many masks will be in evidence if they’re no longer required on 19 July.

@apocalypsehow

I fully agree with you about discussing things in a reasonable way!

The main scientific studies I have read state that wearing a mask controls the spread of infection.

I’m happy to accept - as this would have been a large scale study and peer reviewed.

Besides the science, I would think there is a psychological benefit of ‘I’m taking care’ - or - personally I tend to stand to the side if I see a person outside wearing a mask as they may have a specific vulnerability or concern.

There's folk walking around who think they're better than retail staff. Think they're high and mighty and can treat everyday folk like shit

Yup. It comes through loud and clear. I work 20 hours a week in retail, but I'm a volunteer so don't get paid. I can pack it in tomorrow if I want and be financially better off cos no bus fares. I won't though. Because our shop is keeping mask wearing rules for the foreseeable. And takings are higher than ever so 🤷