Who isn't wearing a mask today?

[ItsVousNotMoi]

AIBU not to wear a mask on the train today? What can anyone do to you anyway??

FREEDOM!!!!!!

Yesterday I popped into M&S at about 4.30pm. I was very hot and it was quite empty where I was looking so I only put it on once I got to the queue.

Motorway services- only about 50% wearing masks. People are starting to relax a bit and realise just passing someone quickly in a shop is very low risk!

50%/50% in Aldi this afternoon. Felt liberating not wearing the thing, first time I've smiled in a long time whilst doing a food shop.

Nipped to the chemist the other day,I put my mask on but was the only one in there. The chemist and his assistant didn’t have one on.
Went to Aldi on Thursday and counted 9 people not wearing masks! I forgot to take mine with me so had to do without.

In both situations I felt self conscious, so it’s going to take a while to get in the mindset of it’s ok if I choose to continue or choose not to wear a mask, Neither is wrong.

I popped into a (quiet) co-op last night to buy booze to take to a friend’s. Not one customer in there (inc me) was wearing a mask. It was really strange. But nice.

Neither is unlawful. But one is sensible and thoughtful if you are close to other people, given current case rates, unless there are good reasons why you can't manage it.

Me, but Im not going anywhere. I had the mail man and the Tesco man call and neither was wearing a mask.

I've just spent a few happy hours clothes shopping for the first time in 18 months! No mask, no steamed up glasses, it was so nice.

Haven't seen much change in my area. I wear a mask in shops and other indoor places. They don't bother me at I wear one 12 hours a day at work.

Enjoy as you have legal freedom to spread and receive Covid or any other illness ONLY IF permitted by the transportation operator.

Freedom tend to be more freedom when a deadly disease is no longer being spread and allow to mutate between spreaders.

Most of the weekend spent doing all sorts of stuff. Lots of indoor mask wearing 95%. Motorway services on way home was rammed and 50/50. I literally wanted to get the hell out of there as fast as I could!

I went into town today with a family member and we were pottering around without masks on and it felt wonderful. It felt liberating.

For those few who are now unmasked in England (not UK) unless in private retail and office property or public transportation which requires it - what is the main attraction and feeling? Is it a feeling of pre pandemic normality, or less inconvenience or possibly slight discomfort, or is it being able to see people in the flesh and not being concerned or thought of as a potential super spreader that needs to be shielded in front of others (though ironically you are more likely to be infected and spread without a mask)? Just curious as I am not that convinced we are not on another mutating wave and so will continue masking and testing and yes not mixing extensively as if we are all clear and safe.

Shopping and cinema today. Wore my mask to both.
Pleased to see good numbers wearing them in store still.

Been to tesco twice today and could count the numbers wearing masks on one hand.

@TertiusLydgate

I popped into a (quiet) co-op last night to buy booze to take to a friend’s. Not one customer in there (inc me) was wearing a mask. It was really strange. But nice.

My Co-op's the same, so I don't go there now.

what is the main attraction and feeling? Is it a feeling of pre pandemic normality, or less inconvenience or possibly slight discomfort, or is it being able to see people in the flesh?

Apart from the inconvenience as they never bothered me as such, but yes to all the other reasons again.

The main one though is being able to see people’s faces, I’ve missed that the most. Facial communication is so important and I’ve really hated everyone’s face being covered. I have missed seeing smiles and people’s entire faces - looking at half a person’s face with the other half covered in fabric has been a sad factor for me.

Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing the faces of my friends and loved ones but I honestly have not missed seeing people’s faces in business premises. Not much to laugh about when doing the weekly shop!

It's reassuring to see how many are still wearing masks as it's been far more than I was expecting. Only a tiny handful seem to have ditched them around our way. Yesterday my husband went to B and Q, Asda and M and S and I went to a local farm shop and cafe. In all places there were one or two without masks.

I imagine that if cases genuinely go down and hospital cases don't rise that mask wearing will reduce, which I understand. I'm a bit sceptical about reduced cases and wouldn't be surprised if it was partly down to people deleting the app etc. Personally I've turned off the scanning part, as has my husband and daughter.

I recognised an acquaintance this morning and realised when I spoke to him that he didn't know who I was. I think he has dementia. I had to remove my mask so he could recognise me. That's where I think being masked is a disadvantage.

Regarding ventilation I saw this article yesterday which suggests after vaccination good ventilation will do more to help than masks.

inews.co.uk/news/health/face-mask-arguments-plans-better-ventilation-covid-lives-vaccines-1121580

Oops, wrong thread but still of interest.

The article doesn’t really say that - it says that getting on with improving ventilation will make a difference, which it will. It doesn’t say not to wear a mask.

It certainly doesn’t say to not wear a mask but clearly indicates ventilation is more useful:

“At the same time, the hot air around masking is overshadowing uncontroversial plans to improve ventilation. I realise the debate about masks generates an enthusiasm that makes ventilation seem rather mundane by comparison. However getting more vaccinations and improving ventilation will do much more to save lives than any amount of shouting for or against masks.”

And further vaccinations forgot to say.