No masks after 19th July- despite the scientific consensus for them

[herecomesthsun]

I happened to notice that we had reached 1000 posts on the other thread - so I started a new one .

I didn't see the other thread.

I did catch both Starmer and Burnham speaking today, suggesting a more gradual easing of SD (in particular on public transport) and I thought both were talking a great deal of sense.

I would rather have a much higher risk of death to me and my children but no masks so support the decision to remove them on 19 July.

If trains want to have one carriage for mask wearers only or supermarkets have a one our slot masks only that would be fine too in my book and I would just avoid that.

Your 'no masks' title is a bit misleading.

It's not as though people will be banned from wearing masks after the 19th. It's just that they will no longer be legally required to do so. Many will choose to continue wearing them (quite how many remains to be seen) and some places will continue to mandate their use. It will be interesting to see how many choose to do so.

I really hope the government don't back down on this.

I am more than happy to have a higher risk to myself as PP said.

If shops and other businesses want to mandate them that is fine. I will just choose to shop elsewhere just like those that insist on masks can choose to go the the businesses that still enforce them.

I put "no masks" for continuity with the previous masks thread,

But it is hard to see how there wouldn't still be masks, for example in at least some healthcare settings.

There's no legal requirement to wear them, but it makes sense to continue. I would rather people were able to wear them voluntarily rather than being forced to, but at the same time I'm just hoping people DO wear them voluntarily!

The trouble is that that the message seems to be coming across as "no masks" rather than "you don't have to legally, but probably should"!

I categorically will NOT be wearing one any longer than I have to. In most cases it’s a flimsy placebo bit of cloth.

But anyone who feels safer wearing one is free to crack on.

@Xenia am I reading your post right? You would rather you and your children have a greater chance of death than that you wear a mask? Something which, while perhaps inconvenient at times, is no hardship, and is worn by millions of people throughout the world as part of their job, without ill-efect? Can that really be your stance?

Oh...sarcasm perhaps...

I would rather have a much higher risk of death to me and my children but no masks

Your children? Really?

Personal responsibility is the key phrase.

You are now free to determine for yourself.

Everyone around here has actually done that all along. No mask compliance by the majority.

You would rather you and your children have a greater chance of death than that you wear a mask?

I'm with Xenia - the chance of death minuscule and I'm not risk averse. My child and I slide down mountains, ride horses, cycle everywhere and wild swim. We have more chance of dying or being seriously injured by anyone of those things than harmed by Covid.

I'll take my chances, thank you. As for other people, they should do what is best for them.

I volunteer as a Covid vaccinator and the consensus among my colleagues is that we will stop volunteering if masks are no longer required.
I agree with this. I get paid but it’s next to nothing and I do it to try and get us out if this mess. If people attending to be vaccinated don’t protect me by wearing one then I’m not going to put myself at risk for them.
It’s healthcare however so I think they will still be mandatory (quite rightly).

@Xenia

I would rather have a much higher risk of death to me and my children but no masks so support the decision to remove them on 19 July.

If trains want to have one carriage for mask wearers only or supermarkets have a one our slot masks only that would be fine too in my book and I would just avoid that.

I don't know, we have a lot of OAPs round here.

If they had just the one hour slot for people who objected to wearing masks, would you be ok with that as well?

This is what infuriates me about the masks debate. It’s so selfish to say “I’m not worried about my risk so I won’t wear one”. When will people understand that you wear them not to protect yourself but out of consideration for those around you?

I will continue to wear masks in some circumstances because it protects others from me and because if it makes just one person feel safer that’s good enough . However I will also remove it if requested, I have a close family member who is deaf and masks have made life very isolating for her as she struggles to understand people when 2/3 of their face is hidden.

Although I sympathise with the idea that we should all take precautions voluntarily and assess our own risk level I must admit I would feel happier if we were taking this step in a time of falling cases rather than when they are rising exponentially . It does rather feel as if we are going from the sublime to the ridiculous.

I can't wait for them to go, I'll wear indoors in a crowded room if asked to but won't be wearing it on the school run outdoors or in a half empty shop.

This is what infuriates me about the masks debate. It’s so selfish to say “I’m not worried about my risk so I won’t wear one”. When will people understand that you wear them not to protect yourself but out of consideration for those around you?

I'm sure they will have been vaccinated if they are so at risk and take their own precautions

@Enb76 - continuing to wear a mask isn’t to protect you but those around you. Those around you could be CEV where the vaccine can be less effective or those younger people who have not yet had the chance to have their second vaccine.

Surely if you have spent any time whatsoever on the covid threads, you know by now it's each for themselves.

It used to make me sad. Now I guess I am better prepared for the reality of our society. Don't expect strangers to give a toss about CEV kids. I have 2. My problem.

@Parker231

Lots of people are immune suppressed due to things like cancer or other disease or immunosuppressant drugs we don't all wander around with masks on to protect them and didn't before Covid - what's changed?

All very well thinking “I’m vaccinated” but don’t upset all the vaccinators.
We get it, I have done a few people with sunflower lanyards and also take my mask off (I wear one to protect you and you do likewise) to speak to deaf people etc.
If neither of those I silently judge you and if there are many I will either stop vaccinating or refuse to see people without masks unless they explain a very good reason.
I’m angry about this, can you tell? Spent ages volunteering my time and effort and the way the country rewards us is to sack it off, give up on masks and hug at football games.