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.

I hate masks. They are uncomfortable and I cant breathe properly. I certainly won't be wearing one by choice. Does mandatory mean unless you download your own exemption card from the internet.

@TheGenealogist

You know how some people get these murderous, ragey feelings about Boris Johnson and the "toaries", *@XDownwiththissortofthingX*? Well I feel the same about your Dear Leader. She is one of the few people I genuinely loathe and detest.

And it's not just masks, is it? Limited numbers in university lectures. Book a slot to go swimming, social distancing in schools, social distancing in healthcare, work from home, check in and out of cafes, masks at funerals.

Yet Rangers and Celtic can have capacity crowds and you can have as many people in your house as you want for a wild party?

She has lost the plot totally.

Do you think Nicola Sturgeon sits down in her front room in the evening, and thinks to herself 'what arbitrary nonsense can I come up with now, just to get on the nerves of folk like @TheGenealogist?"

Or do you accept the far more realistic notion (largely because this is the reality), that there is an extensive group of people who are the most qualified available, guiding policy based on what they believe is the most sensible route forward under the present circumstances?

The reason I ask, is they way you are carrying on, it appears as if some version of the first scenario is what you genuinely think happens.

For someone who has 'lost the plot', the FM seems remarkably calm, assured, and even upbeat given what trying to govern during a pandemic entails. She certainly doesn't strike me as the one who has 'lost the plot' here, when there are folk gurning and moaning about being restricted, like they've been thrown into some sort of SNP run and maintained bottle dungeon, rather than being asked to wear a mask on the bus, with absolutely no strictures if they choose not to.

The fact you seem to believe that all situations, no matter how radically different or unique, require exactly the same approach to managing the pandemic, makes me wonder if you are some sort of galaxybrain authority that the Scot govt has unfortunately overlooked for some reason, or whether the truth is the far more likely case that you are so blinded by your ideological opposition to the current scottish government, that it renders you completely incapable of rational thought when it comes to Scottish govt business, and you'd invariably be moaning and whining about 'Dear Leaders' and their policies no matter what they had decided.

Just get a lanyard! Stop punishing yourself, imo anxiety is a fully valid reason anyway!

@AntiMaskersAreTwats

I wish I lived in Scotland. I’m sick and tired of maskless English numpties getting too close and breathing their covidy germs all over me

Are you 10 years old? Or just very stupid?

I am concerned through at the inability of many in Scotland to properly critique the performance of govt in Scotland. If you think 'well at least she is better than Boris' is good enough- well that doesn't bode well if Scotland goes independent

Again, this utterly bizarre notion that some people seem to have that independent Scotland = government by the SNP and Nicola Sturgeon in perpetuity.

What on earth makes people think like this?

Yeah yeah, we get it @XDownwiththissortofthingX, you think the sun shines out of Nippy's arse. Whatever.

There are plenty of scientists and experts who feel that she is over cautious and prioritising everything else above children and their education. Ms Sturgeon surrounds herself with likeminded people who tell her what she wants to hear. Like Devi "people who don't want indepdence are anti-Scottish" Sridhar.

[quote Ginandfantalemon]@RunnerDown
" I would be far more convinced of arguments made on the basis of evidence than on the basis of political beliefs. Especially if those political beliefs include no space for alternative opinions"

Then where is the evidence that was used to prove that it is safe to stand 6 deep at a crowded bar drinking as much as you can, whilst not wearing a mask or dancing in a crowded nightclub, whilst probably as it stands at the moment, not fully vaccinated and not wearing a mask, yet one single person cannot enter a supermarket, say at 8pm in the evening when it is at its quietest but legally needs to wear a mask. I can't understand the scientific facts of that.[/quote]
So even though you think it's ridiculous, and half the population are flagrantly ignoring it anyway, you are going to continue to refuse to go to the shop without a mask or lanyard, neither of which you are legally compelled to carry, then go on an internet forum and complain that you can't do this, when there's absolutely nothing preventing you doing it, other than your own refusal?

Do you realise that this just sounds like you are going out of your way to martyr yourself, when there's absolutely no need to?

I totally understand your anxiety, but the reasons you are giving are totally, and wholly false. You could, quite easily, go to the shop without wearing a mask, and without displaying a lanyard, and absolutely nobody is going to prevent you from doing this. The only person preventing you from doing this, is you, yourself.

Hi OP,

I agree it feels nowhere near "freedom" - still feels restricted, because it is!

The face masks should be optional. For those who wish to wear them, fine, others who chose not to - fine! They dont bloody work anyway!

I had to go and get a lanyard because Ive had several nose bleeds (my nose got so dry) and also nearly passed out a few times constantly breathing in the same breath! People who say you dont do that I have no time for. You are NOT getting a proper fresh breath. I used to feel embarrassed but whos actual business is it!?

I feel sorry for the kids going back to school, made my shake my head when I read they are putting co2 alarms in schools... hmmm is that because lots will be produced from making the kids constantly wear them!

There needs to be more education for all, on a healthy diet for immune systems and clean surfaces more everywhere. You could go on and on about this garbage and how see through it all is. Problem is with Scotland we are far too laid back, like taking candy from a baby - very few would actually fight for their rights if it came to it.

Again, this utterly bizarre notion that some people seem to have that independent Scotland = government by the SNP and Nicola Sturgeon in perpetuity.

What on earth makes people think like this?

The 2014 independence referendum was run like an election campaign stating all the wonderful things they would do in an Independent Scotland, completely ignoring the realities. Actually pretty much the same as BJ and his cronies with Brexit....so they are not really that different.

I wish I lived in Scotland.

I was on the shielded list, fortunate enough to work from home and am double vaccinated. I was just starting to get used to meeting friends and family in gardens and in outdoor or very spacious airy restaurants and coffee shops etc and it was lovely.

After 19/07 I am back to going for walks and barely going anywhere. I went out for coffee and cake on Sunday and it was awful lots of people wandering around indoors without masks, someone coughing and we were given a well used grubby well crumpled up paper copy of the menu to look at.

There are plenty of scientists and experts who feel that she is over cautious and prioritising everything else above children and their education

Well yes, why would Covid change that m?

I got a better education than my English friends.

My kids get a better education than their Scottish cousins.

[quote Ginandfantalemon]@RunnerDown
" I would be far more convinced of arguments made on the basis of evidence than on the basis of political beliefs. Especially if those political beliefs include no space for alternative opinions"

Then where is the evidence that was used to prove that it is safe to stand 6 deep at a crowded bar drinking as much as you can, whilst not wearing a mask or dancing in a crowded nightclub, whilst probably as it stands at the moment, not fully vaccinated and not wearing a mask, yet one single person cannot enter a supermarket, say at 8pm in the evening when it is at its quietest but legally needs to wear a mask. I can't understand the scientific facts of that.[/quote]
I don’t think it is safe to stand 6 deep at a crowded bar, or dance in a crowded nightclub. . I don’t think full stadium events should go ahead . I can understand the frustration that the rules are contradictory.
But that doesn’t change the fact that I agree with mask wearing in other places because my reading of the evidence suggests that this does reduce the risk of transmission.
My ds works in retail, has asthma and is only partially vaccinated. It seems only fair that his risk from other people is reduced by them wearing a mask. I feel very sorry for the staff working in hospitality settings .
Personally I would not eat indoors, go to a busy bar or crowded event at the moment. However I do have to go to the supermarket and I am glad that other people are still wearing their masks. There are definitely some who don’t, and as long as this is for legitimate reasons that’s fine

So even though you think it's ridiculous, and half the population are flagrantly ignoring it anyway, you are going to continue to refuse to go to the shop without a mask or lanyard, neither of which you are legally compelled to carry, then go on an internet forum and complain that you can't do this, when there's absolutely nothing preventing you doing it, other than your own refusal?

So what policy is best? Lift mandate and many people wear them anyway (I know I do) or keep it in law and the population rebel?

And if masks need to be introduced- which one is more effective!

I don’t think it is safe to stand 6 deep at a crowded bar, or dance in a crowded nightclub. . I don’t think full stadium events should go ahead . I can understand the frustration that the rules are contradictory.

Same, but I can easily chose not to do that. I need to go to the shops and to the dentist. I need to walk about my workplace. There isn't a choice there

@Whyevencare

I'm in Scotland and haven't worn a mask since March. How can it be safe in England to ditch the mask but unsafe in Scotland . This is political bullshit.

Had a haircut last week and only one customer wearing a mask, everyone else was mask free, it was bliss

Because it isn't actually safe in England?

Sorry you’re feeling this way, OP.
There’s a poster on another thread describing how awful it is being deaf and being unable to lip read because of masks.
It seems that some people have lost a bit of their humanity and that being ‘Covid safe’ trumps everything.

In my small village in England, our 1 local shop is requesting that people still wear masks and people seem to be respecting that.
Having just returned from a holiday in Scotland, I would say many folk are doing as they please, grotty masks worn under their noses etc.
I also found some cafes and restaurants with poor ventilation.

The whole Scotland v England thing is so tiresome.
My family live in Glasgow and the rates there have been hellish compared to where we live in England.
I don’t need Nicola Sturgeon to ‘care’.
I need her to run the country so that my nieces and nephews can get back to school properly and get a good education.
And I’d very much like her to sort out CalMac ferries so I could get to the island where my DF is buried.

OP, I hope you find a way through this.

"Nippy"

Yep, the usual level of inane nonsense you get from people who can't rationalise pandemic response without positing it as 'us v them'. Really is laughable.

@TheGenealogist

the OP says this "and it is hoped that voluntary mask wearing, as in Asian Countries, will be a measure that is adopted."

which is what confused me

Yep, the usual level of inane nonsense you get from people who can't rationalise pandemic response without positing it as 'us v them'. Really is laughable

I'll give her credit where credit is due. She has done very well in this, which I think has always been her goal?

@Wakeupin2022

Again, this utterly bizarre notion that some people seem to have that independent Scotland = government by the SNP and Nicola Sturgeon in perpetuity.

What on earth makes people think like this?

The 2014 independence referendum was run like an election campaign stating all the wonderful things they would do in an Independent Scotland, completely ignoring the realities. Actually pretty much the same as BJ and his cronies with Brexit....so they are not really that different.

'Run like an election campaign'

Well yes, since that tends to be the way of these things when you are attempting to further an argument as to why someone should give you their vote.

Fundamental difference between 2014 and Brexit, was in 2014, the people arguing in favour of a significant constitutional change actually attempted to spell out their vision of what Scotland might look like after the proposed change. The Brexiteers didn't bother their arse. Not because of laziness, they simply weren't capable because none of them had given it a moments thought, because winning the referendum was all that actually mattered, not the consequences of winning it.

Perhaps a not insignificant factor in why they've stumbled, bumbled, and embarrassed themselves into the position they now find themselves in, whereby it's 2021, more than 5 years on from the referendum, and still they are waiting around seemingly in the hope that a magic solution to an impasse entirely of their own doing appears out of the ether, because they certainly haven't the faintest idea of how to resolve it, you know, those self-same people that were carping on about 'oven ready deals', the deal that they negotiated that they are now claiming isn't fit for purpose.

Aye, exactly the same thing right enough

@XDownwiththissortofthingX
But I am legally compelled to wear a mask, (unless exempt) and I know I'm not legally compelled to wear a lanyard. The point I make is that, like England, I think the wearing of such should be optional so that people who are exempt don't stand out as being different. And if you see it that I am going out of my way to martyr myself (whatever that's meant to mean), you couldn't be more wrong. And why are my reasons false? Yes I could go to the shop without a mask or without a lanyard, I'm not stupid, but I have anxiety and if it was as easy as you make out, and I was like you, I probably wouldn't have anxiety in the first place. The reason for my original post was to find out how others in Scotland felt about the news that facemasks were likely to remain until well into 2022, that's a long way off and that as we are seeing crowds at nightclubs, sports venues, etc, all maskless, should it not be that as adults, we should be allowed to use our own common sense as to when we need to wear one.

I won't be wearing mine unless it gets really confrontational

@Wakeupin2022

Yep, the usual level of inane nonsense you get from people who can't rationalise pandemic response without positing it as 'us v them'. Really is laughable

I'll give her credit where credit is due. She has done very well in this, which I think has always been her goal?

As opposed to making a complete mess of it, killing more people, ruining her own legacy, and finding herself out of her ear in disgrace?

You think that's what she should have been aiming for instead?

Certainly seems to be the train of thought the unionists who claim 'this is all about Nicola Sturgeon' appear to follow.

@Whyevencare

I'm in Scotland and haven't worn a mask since March. How can it be safe in England to ditch the mask but unsafe in Scotland . This is political bullshit.

Had a haircut last week and only one customer wearing a mask, everyone else was mask free, it was bliss

^100%

[quote Ginandfantalemon]@XDownwiththissortofthingX
But I am legally compelled to wear a mask, (unless exempt) and I know I'm not legally compelled to wear a lanyard. The point I make is that, like England, I think the wearing of such should be optional so that people who are exempt don't stand out as being different. And if you see it that I am going out of my way to martyr myself (whatever that's meant to mean), you couldn't be more wrong. And why are my reasons false? Yes I could go to the shop without a mask or without a lanyard, I'm not stupid, but I have anxiety and if it was as easy as you make out, and I was like you, I probably wouldn't have anxiety in the first place. The reason for my original post was to find out how others in Scotland felt about the news that facemasks were likely to remain until well into 2022, that's a long way off and that as we are seeing crowds at nightclubs, sports venues, etc, all maskless, should it not be that as adults, we should be allowed to use our own common sense as to when we need to wear one.[/quote]
If you go into a shop, not wearing a mask, not wearing a lanyard, where roughly 50% of all the other people in the shop are doing exactly the same, how are you going to 'stand out as being different'?

You are hung up on this idea that you are legally compelled, therefor you can't, when the reality is that there is absolutely nothing stopping you. Not the law, not other people, not the police, nothing, just your own anxiety, and dogma that appears to be entirely self-contradictory in the first place.