Surely just bring the mask mandate back now?

[Maskedtonigh]

They are an easy measure that are no real hardship and could help (even if just in a small way) suppress this virus surely we should just bring back our mask mandate now?

They are where I live too!

It really depends where... If they're simply wearing masks in shops to conform and being mindful of others who are more anxious/at risk, but otherwise socialising normally, mask wearing will be having virtually no impact.

At a national trust house a few weeks back someone in a mask said to another mask wearer aren't we all meant to be wearing masks. When all the non mask wearers turned and just looked at him he shut up and walked off looking embarrassed. Not all the volunteers were wearing masks either.

This is what I mean by why is it some mask wearers can't handle the word CHOICE and accept that if it was conditional on wearing one then we wouldn't have been let in when our tickets were checked. Had a lovely chat with an unmasked volunteer as well because human interaction does involve gestures of your face and not just eyes.

@Stuffin

At a national trust house a few weeks back someone in a mask said to another mask wearer aren't we all meant to be wearing masks. When all the non mask wearers turned and just looked at him he shut up and walked off looking embarrassed. Not all the volunteers were wearing masks either.

This is what I mean by why is it some mask wearers can't handle the word CHOICE and accept that if it was conditional on wearing one then we wouldn't have been let in when our tickets were checked. Had a lovely chat with an unmasked volunteer as well because human interaction does involve gestures of your face and not just eyes.

But this just sounds like someone confused about what the rules are? Not sure this story proves what you think it does?

Oh it was clearly trying to make a point that some of us didn't have masks on when we 'should have'

This is what I mean by why is it some mask wearers can't handle the word CHOICE

Ive recently had a similar experience but it was the NON mask wearing going on and on and on about me wearing a mask

I had to walk off in the end, they just wouldn’t let it go

@RufustheBadgeringReindeer

This is what I mean by why is it some mask wearers can't handle the word CHOICE

Ive recently had a similar experience but it was the NON mask wearing going on and on and on about me wearing a mask

I had to walk off in the end, they just wouldn’t let it go

I have had this, I had someone (in an indoor setting) tell me did I know I don't need to wear one now... when I told her I knew but it was my choice, she couldn't comprehend it!!

Latest ONS data, over the period of 25 August to 5 September 2021, based on adults in Great Britain:

A high proportion of adults still felt that measures to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) were either very important or important; the measures included wearing a face covering (87% this wave, 88% last wave between the period 18 and 22 August) and socially distancing from others not in their household (87% this wave, 86% last wave).

The proportion of adults reporting to wear face coverings at some point in the last seven days when outside their home (89%) was similar to last wave (90%), as was the proportion of adults who always or often maintain social distancing (46% this wave, 45% last wave).

Even mask wearers say any benefit is absolutely minuscule so I don’t know why we are all bothering ourselves about this. It’s just so irrelevant in the grand scheme of things

I think the statistics of the ONS are preferable to some randomer on mumsnet !

Most of the population has continued to take a sensible view on the need for continued caution throughout the pandemic.

yes we just need to be careful a bit longer, as Chris Whitty says

At John Lewis in Bluewater yesterday half the staff weren't. If JL have stopped enforcing for the staff then it really is over.

@hamstersarse

Even mask wearers say any benefit is absolutely minuscule so I don’t know why we are all bothering ourselves about this. It’s just so irrelevant in the grand scheme of things

Or we could look at the science. Here's are the conclusions from a recent systematic review which synthesised findings from 8 randomised control trials in community settings:

In the community, masks appeared to be effective with and without hand hygiene, and both together are more protective

@hamstersarse

Even mask wearers say any benefit is absolutely minuscule so I don’t know why we are all bothering ourselves about this. It’s just so irrelevant in the grand scheme of things

I don't recall saying this?

"I don't recall saying this?"

Me neither!

Me neither, I feel confident enough that wearing one at the shops and in work (which is mandated) helps me and others. I have children at school, I could be a walking asymptotic vector for all I know, and I cannot possibly know what vulnerability others have.

Complacency is the architecture of downfall afterall.

"have had this, I had someone (in an indoor setting) tell me did I know I don't need to wear one now... when I told her I knew but it was my choice, she couldn't comprehend it!!"

Yes, and that is equally out of order @marieantoinehairnet, so if you have been on the receiving end of someone trying to get you to do something you don't want to, can't you see that's how others feel about wearing masks.

@agedmother

Latest ONS data, over the period of 25 August to 5 September 2021, based on adults in Great Britain:

A high proportion of adults still felt that measures to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) were either very important or important; the measures included wearing a face covering (87% this wave, 88% last wave between the period 18 and 22 August) and socially distancing from others not in their household (87% this wave, 86% last wave).

The proportion of adults reporting to wear face coverings at some point in the last seven days when outside their home (89%) was similar to last wave (90%), as was the proportion of adults who always or often maintain social distancing (46% this wave, 45% last wave).

I just don’t understand who these people are who are ‘maintaining social distancing’. I know a lot of people and literally none of them are!

"just don’t understand who these people are who are ‘maintaining social distancing’. I know a lot of people and literally none of them are!"

I agree, the most lovely feeling is being close to the ones you love and care about.

Who's maintaining a degree of social distancing where they can? people listening to Chris Whitty' concerns about the autumn perhaps

Personally we are lucky that the people we most love are already living in our house

I'm maintaining a sensible distance from those note in my immediate circle, that's all I can do.

When I visit elderly relatives I test before hand.

When I go shopping/out to anywhere indoors I wear a mask. A lot of that is due to the fact that if one of us gets ill, we all suffer. Can't go to work, can't go to school etc, so best, right now, to avoid that.

"I agree, the most lovely feeling is being close to the ones you love and care about."

Which doesn't usually happen in a random shop!

I think that is the key with personal choice. It's accepting what you are comfortable with but not forcing your choice on others. And before anyone says but by not wearing a mask you are forcing it on others I refer back to the choice of not going out, doing online shopping etc like I did when masks were forced on me.

Some people are masking, only meeting outside, testing every couple of days etc. This is not for me but I couldn't give a damn if someone wants to do that.

Personally I don't care if and when I get covid as I want to live my life without restrictions but I don't bear hug strangers and if someone doesn't want to meet or be close then I have no issues with that as long as they don't call for everyone to live a restricted life because of their anxiety around covid.

@herecomesthsun

"
Personally we are lucky that the people we most love are already living in our house"

Good for you. Well some of us have a very large family. We couldn't possibly all live together!