Being made to wear masks.

[SeriouslyHateMasks]

For some reason, I can't really explain why, I just hate wearing masks. I absolutely HATE them. Aside from this, I have willingly followed all the rules and I worked in a key role throughout all the pandemic. Not NHS, more supply chain. I have to wear a mask all day at work and I hate it.

Anyway, I have been out of England for the past 2 weeks and was looking forward to ditching the mask. Except, I can't. Whilst I was away it turns out our town council did a survey and they are encouraging everyone to still wear masks. So, I went to the shops today and everywhere I went I had to wear a mask. I went to the supermarket too and every single person had one on, so I had to follow suit or probably get an earful.

I feel so gutted. I totally respect anyone's right to wear a mask, but they are no longer enforced by law and I shouldn't have to wear one if I don't want to. If we have to wear one now, then when exactly is this going to stop?

I have not once taken a supermarket slot during the pandemic and left it for others more in need. I just now feel f^ck it. I will buy everything online and get it delivered if I have to continue wearing a mask everywhere I go. Also, what is the point of me getting double vaccinated if I have to carry on wearing this on my face in 30 degree heat.

Hurray, @TheVampiresWife. Great idea.
Wear what you want. Accept others won’t agree. Understand that people’s opinions are not fixed and behaviour will change.
Done.

Go on tell me, how much protection do I think masks provide? You don't know because you're not a mind reader.

You seem to think that all us mask wearers think we are immune from infection just because you wear a mask. I'm pretty sure that the vast majority do not think that at all.

I've seen reports that say 25% for a reasonably fitted fabric mask and more protection for a paper mask and more again for the expensive options. That's not nothing and it will reduce your viral load, which is also not nothing.

Don't worry, I don't expect you to change your mind.

@EileenGC
Quote
As you probably know, being double vaccinated doesn’t mean you can’t carry it or pass it on to others. I’m not in the UK but it’s madness that masks aren’t mandated by law anymore, when you see how high the cases are.

If you don’t want to wear one, don’t. Like you say, it’s not mandated by law. Plus, if you’re wearing a cloth mask instead of FFP2/surgical, it’s almost as effective as not wearing one.

Totally agree

@knittingaddict ok, we’ll have to agree to disagree. I wish they were as effective as you claim and that they were worn correctly by everyone, but that’s simply not the case. All that is happening is the normalisation of something which has very little benefit and many negatives (both on social interactions and the environment).

You see people walking in the street with masks, even though the risks of outside transmission are almost zero.

You're assuming people are wearing them in the street because they believe they need protection outside?
Not necessarily.
Lots of people in shopping areas just keep them on while they're in between popping in and out of shops, as it's more hassle to keep pulling them up and down. If you just keep it on you get used to it and forget about it.

Don't wear one it is guidance not law. I've not worn one since Monday and it has been lovely. No tutting or negative comments either, just people cracking on with what they want to do. What is baffling though is how many people are still wearing them under nose/down by chin - surely now you longer have too why keep up the pretence?

@TerritorialPissings

People have essentially been brainwashed into thinking they do something; I cannot understand why people refuse to acknowledge this.

There's so much arrogance yet so much idiocy just in one sentence.

[quote Mummyford]There is actually plenty of evidence that face masks make a difference.

I'm genuinely curious- people who say face masks don't work or there's there's no evidence they work, what are you looking for? What would constitute evidence?

jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776536
news.sky.com/story/covid-19-what-does-the-science-actually-say-about-face-masks-12349337[/quote]
For me personally the key is in the fact that they work WHEN WORN CORRECTLY. I have eyes and can see most people are not wearing them correctly

We all have to do things we hate doing from time to time. If it means someone does not have to self-isolate, it is a small inconvenience to wear a face covering in a shop for a few minutes.

There is actually plenty of evidence that face masks make a difference.

I'm genuinely curious- people who say face masks don't work or there's there's no evidence they work, what are you looking for? What would constitute evidence?

I'm with pp who think that proper clinical masks would make a difference but not these

If they really are effective, why don't Johnson, Van Tam, Vallance and Whitty wear them at all their press conferences?

And why was Boris pictured being driven home from the Euros with no mask? Why did matt Hancock make a show of walking up to number 10 wearing a mask, going inside and then taking his mask off when he thought the door had closed and no one could see him He was health sec at the time.

If they really think masks make such a difference, why aren't they wearing them?

Anyone who saw my lying on the floor of m&s trying to retrieve my glasses from under the veg stand ( because I dropped them because I had to take them off due to fog but needed them to see if it was tomato's or oranges ( it was very dark) ) would appreciate I dislike masks

I also have asthma and could be except

I am also a scientist. I wear the mask in places like shops . It's a no brainer

If they really are effective, why don't Johnson, Van Tam, Vallance and Whitty wear them at all their press conferences?

I know Vallance was pictured at a crowded Wimbledon with no mask. Obviously not that scared, and yes it is outside but you are meeting many people you don't normally meet with.

Do as I say not as I do.

I’m outside at Newmarket races, Tom Jones on later, it’s quite busy and I haven’t seen anyone in a mask yet.

Mummyford, it's not just Boris. It's also JVT, Vallance, Whitty, Harries, sir John Stevens etc

I'm sure you don't have time in your no doubt busy life for the amount of shagging around our dear PM does neither do I tbf

I don't like wearing a mask but a lot of people remain worried (not me particularly) and are more comfortable with others around them wearing masks - so I am prepared to comply with this small courtesy because it costs me little!

Since face masks have been mandated, the cases have rocketed. They are obviously incredibly effective. My mistake.

@Againstmachine

If they really are effective, why don't Johnson, Van Tam, Vallance and Whitty wear them at all their press conferences?

I know Vallance was pictured at a crowded Wimbledon with no mask. Obviously not that scared, and yes it is outside but you are meeting many people you don't normally meet with.

Do as I say not as I do.

Yes this still amazes me as in many overseas nations high profile government officials make a point of ensuring they are masked at every media opportunity just to make sure messaging is on point to tell others the pandemic is serious and evidently very contagious and not to be treated lightly.

It is also a home goal negative media spin when Alexander Johnson and many of his top team have previously and recently contracted Covid and partly because of indifference to personal following the science with proactive personal risk mitigation measures. Possibly a mixture of lack of testing and personal risk mitigation measures. I rarely see these British political figures masked while in the USA for instance we seen from one extreme Covid denial to the incumbent being deliberately double masked initially to lead by example as to the mindset required to beat this pandemic together. Those who lead need to lead by example hence why former healthcare ministers who gaslight and ignore their own rules for others are yesterday’s news being by default and design unfit for purpose Covidiots!

So don’t wear one? Christ get a grip

You don’t have to wear one. Leave it off if you want to. But you don’t get to control other people’s opinions of your choice, whether voiced or unvoiced.

Businesses may encourage customers to still wear them - that seems quite common from what I’ve seen. Some businesses are requiring them, i.e. turning people away if they don’t. That’s their right.

When will it get back to normal? I dunno - I am encouraged by the downturn in new cases over the last few days, it suggests we may be close to herd immunity. Cases will probably go up again very soon because if the relaxation, but maybe not for too long before it turns down again.

Know this - the people continuing to wear masks, and those who are scrupulous about keeping their distance, limiting the amount of mixing they do, meeting outdoors rather than in, keeping doors and windows open etc, are all contributing to limiting the spread while the vaccination campaign still has a way to go.

I went to a shop last week, noticed a sign at the door saying that they ‘encourage you to wear a mask’. I duly obliged. Got inside and absolutely none of the staff had masks on, so I soon ripped mine off.

I’ve noticed there is an ever increasing number of people not wearing masks now. A bit of a knock on effect. People see others without a mask, and think ‘why should I bother?’

I've ditched it completely, its optional in 99% of places. Although going into places without masks I have found i get alot of stares, 'if looks could kill' stares.

By all means wear your mask but no need to look at mask less people like we are lepers.

[quote Mummyford]There is actually plenty of evidence that face masks make a difference.

I'm genuinely curious- people who say face masks don't work or there's there's no evidence they work, what are you looking for? What would constitute evidence?

jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2776536
news.sky.com/story/covid-19-what-does-the-science-actually-say-about-face-masks-12349337[/quote]
The problem is there just isn't. Real world proof that is. In fact, anecdotally we haven't really seen the numbers tanking after masks were made mandatory, and vice versa with the lifting of the mandate.

Hardly anyone is wearing one where I am in London. Bus drivers don’t ask anymore despite tfl claiming they will still be mandatory on public transport and no shops ask.

I really think you are making a big deal about nothing. No one cares if you do or you don’t. If you don’t want to wear one, that’s fine. If you do, that’s fine too. There seems to be a desire to validate your own preferences by seeing everyone doing the same as you.

@Dreamstate

I've ditched it completely, its optional in 99% of places. Although going into places without masks I have found i get alot of stares, 'if looks could kill' stares.

By all means wear your mask but no need to look at mask less people like we are lepers.

That's crazy if people are glaring at you for not wearing a mask.

I entered a few places without a mask last week (supermarket, motorway services, cafe). Even though the vast majority of people were wearing masks, everyone I encountered was very pleasant to me.