Non mask wearers

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I’ve been generally observing in recent weeks since 19th July (and before too really) and the majority of people I see with no mask are men. I noticed for a while in the pandemic that in petrol stations it was men with no masks on, so got me noticing when I am out. Does this seem the same to you?
I am just interested, is this a general view or me being sexist (hope not). I wonder if men feel like they ‘look stupid’ in a mask so less likely to wear one?

Masks are worn by some in the Far East. Usually when someone has visible symptoms of a cold. They are not worn as standard in crowded places or indoors. So certainly a more common sight there than here, but it’s not the case that they habitually walk around wearing masks, in general.

Mask wearing has become a political gesture, nothing at all now to do with the spread of covid.

But that's not what commonplace means anyway. It's commonplace for people to wear helmets when riding, or gloves when washing up. Not having people in the streets wearing washing up gloves or riding helmets doesn't mean it's not commonplace, it just means the criteria for wearing such things hasn't been met by the specific people you're looking at.

@stepupandbecounted

Mask wearing has become a political gesture, nothing at all now to do with the spread of covid.

Absolute unequivocal bollocks

@DameFanny

But that's not what commonplace means anyway. It's commonplace for people to wear helmets when riding, or gloves when washing up. Not having people in the streets wearing washing up gloves or riding helmets doesn't mean it's not commonplace, it just means the criteria for wearing such things hasn't been met by the specific people you're looking at.

Ok, well it’s not commonplace in the Far East for people to wear masks on public transport, crowded places or indoors, unless they have symptoms of a cold.

Yes, it's a commonplace response to having symptoms of something, or wanting to avoid something in the air be that pollution or infection. This is what commonplace means - that no one bats an eye at it.

I work in a shop where the vast majority of people wear masks, and non-mask-wearers tend to be in a group together, either a family group or a friendship group, regardless of gender. I do sometimes see families where the middle aged parents are maskless, but the teen/early twenties children are wearing a mask, which is probably a difference based on vaccination status. Fewer people wear masks later on in the day, too.

Not according to Professor Clifford Stott, a social psychologist from Keele University damefanny and I think he may well be more qualified than you. Please read the Times today:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/facemasks-are-becoming-a-political-statement-science-adviser-says-k9z5v69xz

Well I'm not going to read the Times because a. cost and b. Murdoch, but the headline itself says 'becoming' not 'is', and social psychological interpretation doesn't negate the demonstrated reduction in transmission so I repeat - absolute unequivocal bollocks.

It is a choice now dame whether you like it or not, if you want to carry on virtual signalling be my guest, but no one else needs to carry on with this facade any longer.

Well look at that. Professor Stott seems to think mask wearing is an appropriate thing and regrets that it's being politicised.

Got screenshots of the article @stepupandbecounted ?

Maybe you should define virtue signalling then? Because I thought it was e.g. wearing a Greenpeace t-shirt while clubbing baby seals, not doing something that actually makes a positive difference.

It makes zero difference fanny and I feel very sorry for you that you seem to think it does.

@stepupandbecounted

It makes zero difference fanny and I feel very sorry for you that you seem to think it does.

Factually incorrect, unable to support your argument because you've misunderstood the article you pointed me at? Yes, pity poor me

Please read the article in full, and come back to me. Screen shot of half a message is pretty unhelpful.

Screen shot the article then - I'm not giving money to Murdoch

I am not here to encourage you to ditch the mask, simply to mention that the little scrap of cloth is unlikely to protect you or anyone else from the onslaught and highly infectious delta variant, but if it gives you confidence then all well and good. If you are wearing it to show the world how 'kind' you are, you may want to evaluate why you feel the need to do that. People can take care of themselves, the delta is stronger than your handmade mask or any mask for that matter. Look at the facts.

[quote stepupandbecounted]Not according to Professor Clifford Stott, a social psychologist from Keele University damefanny and I think he may well be more qualified than you. Please read the Times today:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/facemasks-are-becoming-a-political-statement-science-adviser-says-k9z5v69xz[/quote]
Stott, who sits on the Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours (Spi-B), the behavioural modelling group that advises the government, said that masks had a “big impact” on stopping transmission but expressed regret that they had become part of a political debate.

you're welcome.

ONLY in crowded areas with no ventilation - not everywhere!

Seriously lacking in CTS.

Some people are wearing masks outside, in empty shops everywhere. It is not necessary. They don't make a big impact at all on the spread, as most scientists have made very clear.

But you can keep wearing one indefinitely! No one is going to stop you, but please don't expect others to carry on.

Lacking in CTS?

When I said Stott regretted the politicisation, and that masks worked, you told me I misunderstood.

Can I respectfully suggest you need to work on your reading comprehension @stepupandbecounted, and stop telling other people they're wrong?

I wear a mask outside if I'm travelling between shops because that's less bother than faffing around getting a good fit every time I go into a shop. I never go into an empty shop. There's always a member of staff there, who I generally have to get quite close to at some point. I suppose in an uncrowded, well-ventilated shop with a self-service till I would be happy enough not to wear a mask, but I'd already have my mask on by the time I'd noticed those conditions, so why bother?

I have to wear a mask all day at work, so wearing it for a bit longer in other people's places of work doesn't feel like a massive inconvenience.

And that's particularly in crowded, poorly ventilated areas, not only.

@stepupandbecounted

ONLY in crowded areas with no ventilation - not everywhere!

Seriously lacking in CTS.

Some people are wearing masks outside, in empty shops everywhere. It is not necessary. They don't make a big impact at all on the spread, as most scientists have made very clear.

CTS? (what's that?)

yes, inside where it's crowded.

Some people may have a reason to be extra cautious (former shielders were told "You may still wish to consider going to the shops and pharmacy at quieter times of the day." even now for example.

I would put a mask on if I find myself in a big crush of people, even outside, as sometimes happens unexpectedly at outdoor events.

Really very scary that you feel a little scrap of fashion material is going to make any difference to you.

If someone with covid sneezes or coughs near you the airborne droplets will be released into your eyes, your hair, your clothes and everything you are touching. Short of wearing a hazmat suits you will be largely vulnerable at that moment and for many minutes afterwards. The most likely way to catch it is from someone you are close to, in a home or hospital setting with or without a mask. I am sorry to tell you this, but the mask is not going to save you or anyone. It might slightly minimise the risk, but beyond that it is useless and used as a psychological reminder to keep a distance.

You can keep wearing one, but please don't believe they stop covid, if that were truly the case many millions would not have died, and we would have had zero cases in the middle of a lockdown when everyone was masked for everything.