Masks to be Mandatory in Scotland until at least next Spring

[Ginandfantalemon]

Just read this and wondered what others in Scotland are thinking.
The article states that Scotland will stick to the strictest rules in the UK and it is hoped that voluntary mask wearing, as in Asian Countries, will be a measure that is adopted. I truly don't know if I can go on anymore. I haven't been out for over a year because of these bloody rules and this is just enough now.

@dementedma

Scotland is practically a dictatorship under the SNP quite frankly. The wearing of masks at indoor gatherings has had me cancelling our AGM just this morning, again. Other events are in jeopardy. Life in Scotland is nowhere near "normal" or even close to it. And yet, for all the caution, infection and death rates are no better per head of population than anywhere else. It is the usual SNP agenda of doing exactly the opposite of whatever Boris does.

North Korea is in a dictatorship. It’s ridiculous to suggest that Scotland is anywhere near that. And our numbers are lower than those in England at the moment - although I accept that’s multi factorial and might change. There is likely to be a lot of flu, Rsv and coronavirus around this winter and mask wearing is a reasonable mitigation to take. Most of scientists around in England would be support continuing to wear masks there .They make that clear on Twitter. Nicola is actually listening to her advisors . It’s not just to annoy Boris . You clearly hate the SNP and your opinion is based completely on this . What about all the evidence in support of continuing to wear masks. The CDC in America have just changed their guidance to advice wearing masks again. Or are they just doing it annoy Boris too.

Op that sounds tough.
Could you get an exemption lanyard?

OP there's no comeback if you don't wear them, many people here just wander around with a lanyard on just don't bother. No one bats an eyelid at either.

@dementedma

Scotland is practically a dictatorship under the SNP quite frankly. The wearing of masks at indoor gatherings has had me cancelling our AGM just this morning, again. Other events are in jeopardy. Life in Scotland is nowhere near "normal" or even close to it. And yet, for all the caution, infection and death rates are no better per head of population than anywhere else. It is the usual SNP agenda of doing exactly the opposite of whatever Boris does.

It's a worry if she gets her way with an Independant Scotland what her rules would be. It's bloody awful having to cancel things because we are being 'made' to wear a mask. I need new glasses but cant go to the opticians and I had to cancel my dentist appointment too. This is no where near freedom as she calls it.

I think it's bollocks.

You can go stand at a bar drinking with people for hours with no mask yet you have to wear one to go to the toilet? WTF - who thinks up this shit.

And again, fine to go clubbing and crowd the dance floor with no mask but the high school children are expected to wear them

I'd just get the lanyard op. Save yourself the hassle.

@spongedod

I think it's bollocks.

You can go stand at a bar drinking with people for hours with no mask yet you have to wear one to go to the toilet? WTF - who thinks up this shit.

And again, fine to go clubbing and crowd the dance floor with no mask but the high school children are expected to wear them

Mask rules are ridiculous and yet people blindly follow them

@RhonaRed and @DoucheCanoe
I have an exemption card but its the thought of everyone where I live seeing me without a mask and then wondering why I'm not wearing one. I dont have the confidence to just go out without one, that's why I would have like them to be 'optional' so that no one knows there is a reason why I'm not wearing one, if that makes sense.

In England. The complete opposite end of it to Scotland!

I'm still wearing a mask in busy places including shops etc.

I think England will have to adopt mandatory mask wearing over then winter so it makes sense Scotland are keeping it rather than this "voluntary and expected" we have and then having to convince a population to pick it up again.

Scotland have been strict but I think the rules have been clearer!

It's a worry if she gets her way with an Independant Scotland what her rules would be. It's bloody awful having to cancel things because we are being 'made' to wear a mask. I need new glasses but cant go to the opticians and I had to cancel my dentist appointment too. This is no where near freedom as she calls it

The only person restricting your liberty here, is you, with your perfectly reasonable decision not to wear a mask, but your simultaneous refusal to do anything without wearing a mask.

Nobody is going to bat an eyelid at you walking into a shop to buy a pint of milk with no mask on. All the other things, dentists, opticians, and so on are back servicing need. It's hardly Nicola Sturgeon's fault if you are simply too anxious to use them.

Besides, why do you assume that Nicola Sturgeon would be in charge in an independent Scotland? That would come hand-in-hand with elections. Are you expecting all the other parties to not bother standing, and their backers to not bother voting? This bizarre assertion comes up time after time. I wonder why anti-SNP people don't seem to realise that the simplest way to get rid of the SNP is for Scotland to become independent.

@StarryStarrySocks

Brilliant news, at least the Scottish Government are taking things seriously. I will happily keep wearing my mask in shops and on public transport.

I’m hoping we follow and backtrack on optional masks as think Scotland have the right idea.

[quote Ginandfantalemon]**@RhonaRed* and @DoucheCanoe*
I have an exemption card but its the thought of everyone where I live seeing me without a mask and then wondering why I'm not wearing one. I dont have the confidence to just go out without one, that's why I would have like them to be 'optional' so that no one knows there is a reason why I'm not wearing one, if that makes sense.[/quote]
They essentially ARE optional, right now, this very second. Nobody does a thing if somebody is not wearing a mask. It's government 'guidance', not a law. There is no punishment for not wearing a mask.

The only issue here is your own reservation at going out without one. Conquer that, and you are free to do most things.

Is anyone in Edinburgh.
Was wondering how the fringe is going?
This is the first year I’ve not bothered in a long time.

@spongedod

I think it's bollocks.

You can go stand at a bar drinking with people for hours with no mask yet you have to wear one to go to the toilet? WTF - who thinks up this shit.

And again, fine to go clubbing and crowd the dance floor with no mask but the high school children are expected to wear them

No one has to go to the pub or nightclub though bar employees whereas education, medical, food suppliers are all very different as people have to go and others along with the essential key workers need mitigation’s and masks are very easy to implement.

@dementedma

Scotland is practically a dictatorship under the SNP quite frankly. The wearing of masks at indoor gatherings has had me cancelling our AGM just this morning, again. Other events are in jeopardy. Life in Scotland is nowhere near "normal" or even close to it. And yet, for all the caution, infection and death rates are no better per head of population than anywhere else. It is the usual SNP agenda of doing exactly the opposite of whatever Boris does.

Give over! 'Life events in jeopard'

I don't mind wearing a mask at all! But I do feel sorry for people in work places etc having to wear them for a full shift

When I go into the maternity unit for appointments the poor nurses etc I just feel for them

@HelloMissus

Is anyone in Edinburgh. Was wondering how the fringe is going? This is the first year I’ve not bothered in a long time.

Damp, patchy attendance, and with a much reduced variety of performers compared to a normal year.

Still fun winding up all the cocksure 'avante garde' student theatre groups trying to browbeat you into going to see their deconstructed Shakespeare where all the gender roles are reversed, with a disappointed "what? no, saw that when somebody did it a couple of years ago, and it was meh back then too"

Secretllama- my honest answer is I don't know. Im not a scientist, but I will continue to wear my mask until scientists say otherwise. My understanding is FM takes her cue from them. I actually do intend to wear a mask/ scarf on public transport for good, as people's hygiene on public transport is quite frankly, awful. Already people have fallen back into their old habits, ie Ive lost count of people using public toilets and not washing their hands afterwards. People make their own decisions. If you don't want to wear a mask, the decision is yours. I really don't care who does what, it's entirely up to the individual. As for where the virus is, it's still anywhere. My reference to Lambda, you can find where Lambda is on any online search.

@HelloMissus

Is anyone in Edinburgh. Was wondering how the fringe is going? This is the first year I’ve not bothered in a long time.

I wasn't even aware it was happening until someone asked a question about it on another message board! I haven't heard anyone say they've been or are planning to go.

XDownwiththissortofthingX
They essentially ARE optional, right now, this very second. Nobody does a thing if somebody is not wearing a mask. It's government 'guidance', not a law. There is no punishment for not wearing a mask.

The only issue here is your own reservation at going out without one. Conquer that, and you are free to do most things.

But they aren't optional or just for guidance in Scotland. They are a legal mandatory requirement and you can be fined for not wearing one. I shouldn't need to break the law to be 'free'.

Xdown aye that’s how I thought it’d be.
Usually we go in packs (I’m a producer) to find new writers and actors and directors etc
But I kept getting emails saying certain things were ‘live screenings’ and I thought nah - not bothering with those.
And restaurants we always go to were not sure if we could share tables etc etc

Shame. These things bring a lot of creative energy, talent and money into Edinburgh.

Think keeping masks is a great idea.

@HelloMissus I’m in Edinburgh. Much quieter than it usually is in August, but busier than it has been for a while basically.

The “dictatorship” hyperbole is hilarious. Being asked to be considerate of others is equivalent to a gulag. Pretty telling.

@Greenrubber

I don't mind wearing a mask at all! But I do feel sorry for people in work places etc having to wear them for a full shift

When I go into the maternity unit for appointments the poor nurses etc I just feel for them

Remember the school kids trying to navigate secondary in masks.

That is just wrong. They've only just dropped masks for under 12s, England never did have masks for that age group.

No one has to go to the pub or nightclub though bar employees whereas education, medical, food suppliers are all very different as people have to go and others along with the essential key workers need mitigation’s and masks are very easy to implement.

I don't really understand the point you are trying to make here. People are going to pubs and nightclubs. People are mixing closely with no masks. Our children are having to wear them in school. This is nonsensical whether these activities are undertaken by choice or need.

strawberry yeah, most of us industry regulars haven’t gone this year.
Hopefully next year.