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

[TeddingtonTrashbag]

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

oops - quoted wrong post - was referring to the PP who said she would believe it when it came out of Bojo's mouth!

@SirSamuelVimes

No-one in my office wears them. We don't distance beyond normal personal space either. It's the most normal bit of my life and I love it.

Once the rule goes the masks will go for most people, it might take a couple of weeks but it'll be a snowball effect I reckon. 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!

You have no idea why other people might choose to wear a mask and quite frankly it has nothing to do with you.

Despite having both vaccinations my DH has a condition where early indications are the vaccine may not be as effective as it is for others - you wouldn't know from looking at him that he has a blood cancer and he's definitely not 'hyper-anxious' but will take sensible precautions, especially as he works with a few COVID deniers (emergency service workers) who refuse to be vaccinated.

And when the delta variant runs rampant in this country and no other countries will let us in and it’s bye-bye to foreign holidays - what then?

I am still going to wear mine

Covid is endemic and going nowhere so how long do you propose masks be mandatory for?

If the trend of low hospitalisations continues up to the 19th of July, then I have no issues with people not having to wear them in them in most instances. I will probably have to continue with them at work for a while longer, which I am happy to do to try and protect those people who are most at risk.

I don’t mind wearing them now and I definitely haven’t missed the various coughs/colds etc. that I’d normally have had over the past 18 months.

I imagine they’ll still be recommended (or they’ll change the law) for certain settings such as public transport and surgeries/hospitals.

I won’t be throwing mine away in any case as there’s no guarantee we won’t need them again at some point. There’s still debate over how much the virus could mutate and if the vaccines would offer protection.

the gov have confirmed that stage 4 is all legal restrictions end so why are people thinking masks as a legal requirement would stay?

The road map is clear even if dates change - masks are not part of stage 4

@myfuckingfreezer

they can’t if they’re not legally necessary. I intend to ceremonially burn mine.

What? Of course they can. Same way they can insist on shoes and shirts etc.

They can't insist on masks even now, when they're mandatory. So they certainly won't be able to when they're not.

Slightly unrelated perhaps, but it amazes me how so many people have been wearing thick fabric unbreathable masks for more than 12 months. I tried one of my parents ones the other day and found it so stifling and was like “oh this is why people hate them!”. I struggled to keep it on for more than 10 minutes. Whereas I find many of the breathable and disposable light blue ones (cheap off Amazon) aren’t that uncomfortable at all for longer periods.

Wonder if they will keep them in hospitals including outpatients, especially in the winter months and also care homes

@Lalliella

And when the delta variant runs rampant in this country and no other countries will let us in and it’s bye-bye to foreign holidays - what then?

Delta is already in most countries they’ll be dealing with their own spread of it

@knittingaddict

I do worry about a more dangerous variant if we allow cv to be spread unchecked. I hope this doesn't come back and bite us in the bum.

Same. I think proceeding with caution is sensible, and I will carry on wearing a mask if I need to go inside anywhere. I am worried about variants emerging that render the vaccines ineffective.

Covid is endemic and going nowhere so how long do you propose masks be mandatory for?

Its commonplace in some countries to wear masks on crowded areas such as public transport not because its compulsory, but because its considered polite in a crowded shared space to minimise spreading your coughs, colds and other infections to others stuck in close proximity.

I'll continue to wear one, I like to be sure I'm not contributing to the spread of anything. I also hate colds so if it can help stop me getting some randomers skanky grotty infected saliva particles in my own respiratory system then yes please.

I cried with relief when I saw this this morning. I won't have to wear that fucking lanyard and get the shitty looks and comments and avoid going to shops anymore. I might get my life back a bit.

@ineedaholidaynow

Wonder if they will keep them in hospitals including outpatients, especially in the winter months and also care homes

We’re keeping them in our supported housing. There’s been a noticeable lowering of other illnesses like colds over the last year. I don’t mind it in work but will be ditching it everywhere else.

the gov have confirmed that stage 4 is all legal restrictions end so why are people thinking masks as a legal requirement would stay?

There was some dithering in some papers before the official announcement to delay stage 4 from June to July that there might be lift of everything except masks. I think some are thinking the same now, even with what the government has previously said.

Places will still be able to request people do so even if it's not mandatory. I think they'll likely still be something people are told to wear if possible in medical settings and maybe public transport.

Good!

For those of you who are vulnerable or have vulnerable family members, for whom the vaccine doesn’t provide good protection, such as @SycamoreGap, you have my sympathy as my DP also has blood cancer and being surrounded by unmasked people will mean that he will be very vulnerable if he goes out and simply won’t be able to go out without high personal risk once restrictions are lifted. I have bought him some FFP3 masks for going out for essential trips, as there is evidence that they protect the wearer from catching coronavirus, whereas the current masks are designed to limit people spreading it more than stop the wearer catching it. www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57636360

@C8H10N4O2

Covid is endemic and going nowhere so how long do you propose masks be mandatory for?

Its commonplace in some countries to wear masks on crowded areas such as public transport not because its compulsory, but because its considered polite in a crowded shared space to minimise spreading your coughs, colds and other infections to others stuck in close proximity.

Weirdly, sometime in January 2020 I remember hearing a woman ringing into the local radio saying she’d like to wear a mask but didn’t want to stand out!

That's a shame.

I'd rather everything else back to normal and keep the masks. They are not useful just for Covid! Quite enjoyed other people having to wear them and not sneezing in my face.

We should keep masks, and make them mandatory, for another year at least. Going through winter and flu season, D&V season etc.. with masks would have made sense.

@C8H10N4O2
Cultural difference. People are still wearing them en masse in crowded outdoor areas in China about 12 months since the pandemic ceased to be a serious threat. There’s no right or wrong, just individualist vs collectivist society mindset. But it does make me laugh when people say China massaged the figures - no, they just dealt with the pandemic conservatively and severely from the get go and are still doing so today despite having it beat for a year already. People in the West see face masks outside as draconian whereas they saw much of the rushed “easing” in the West that led to further spikes, deaths and new variants as stupid and selfish and false economy. Swings and roundabouts.

Nice levels of abuse in this thread for those that will continue wearing them!

Fussy and stingy? Irritating and hyper anxious??

Or, maybe they are more aware of the reality than you? Maybe they have worked on covid wards or long covid clinics. Maybe they've seen lives wrecked by covid, and understand that some things are for the greater good.

Sorry, I forget, mask wearers are snowflakes and sheep. Insert a MASSIVE eye roll here.

Surely it will be simple - if you’re wedded to masks crack on with wearing them; if you’re not then burn them.

@CoffeeWithCheese

I cried with relief when I saw this this morning. I won't have to wear that fucking lanyard and get the shitty looks and comments and avoid going to shops anymore. I might get my life back a bit.

Totally know how you feel